HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY OL' MAN! 70 Years Old HolyMoly Rich! On September 29th 2016 Eliza Lee Adelman entered the World! Our Family grows! She will hear all about her Papa from us.
Another Beautiful Adelman Female YaY Babe!
Missing YOU, Celebrating Your Life, Remebering All of YOU....My True Companion.
In Peace, With Much Love
I have been thinking of you all day, although we had lost touch thru the years I have thought of you and Janice many times. Remembering all the happier times we shared way back then. I can still see, in my minds eye, your beautiful smile. In my thoughts today, I was trying to decide which story to talk about. Maybe all those Sundays we rode down to Nantasket Beach to the Surf for the Battle of the Bands. Or the times "The Spinners" backed up the star performers at the Surf. Then again, I could mention the great long weekend ride down to Chapel Hill, NC, what a great weekend that was. We brought your drums to you in October of your freshman year at UNC. My Mom and Dad drove the station wagon with the drums and some of us kids. Brian drove the other car with the rest of the kids. What a special time for us all.
We will meet again someday, till then.
Sounds like a beginiing for the famous "Poor Richard's Almanac", so famous. You were famous to all of us who knew you. The quiet, gentle soul who could also make his point and find reasons to back it up. I (we, all those who belonged to Project support for Spinal Cord Injury) loved and appreciated who you were Rich. When I asked you to work for me, you did a terrific job and the organization was so full of warmth, excitement, striving to bring something important to the lives of those who are paralyzed.
Then too, you and Janice became fun friends, that I always looked forward to joining with after the toiling over a fundraiser: the curtain went down, we all heaved a sigh of relief and looked for a place for a beer or a glass of wine. Dear folks that have added to my life. Along with my four sons, I salute you...Richard Adelman,
She arrived Papa, December 21,2013 at 8AM CST in Chicago. Caroline, Zac&Sophia are all doing great! Beautiful Adelman is Born,on the 2013 Winter Solstice. Out of the darkness Came light. Missing my Love Papa Richard Peace,Love & JOY
I couldn't help commenting on the hairdos.
Richard was the Best Man at our wedding. Nov. 26,1966. Brookline, MA. Rich was 20.
Dear Adelman Family,
Still thinking of Rich and all of you fondly. So glad I knew Rich.
Take care.
Love,
Ed
Birth Day (Note: Eric in scrubs) .May 7th, 1991! YAY an Adelman Female was born!
Every time I think of Uncle Rich, which is often, there's a soundtrack that plays... It starts with Van Morrison's "Domino" and it includes "Spinning Wheel" (Blood, Sweat and Tears), Pick up the Pieces (and everything else from the Average White Band's white album), the Tower of Power's "Back to Oakland" album, and "Bad Luck" and this song playing "Wake up Everybody" (Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes). For some reason these are ingrained in my mind. The memories that encompass this music are as good as the music itself.
Recently I went into Lucky Brands for a pair of jeans. As I entered the store, a young saleswoman was at the counter belting out "She works hard for the money..." and she stopped abruptly when I appeared. As you can imagine, I was thrilled to hear her singing that tune and let her know exactly why.
As I go about my daily routines, every time a song plays in the background - wherever I might be at that moment - that includes Rich on drums, I stop, listen, reminisce and smile...
WOW 7 months&1 day ago You left this Earth! At 7:30PM last evening an overwhelming Sadness just enveloped me I realized babe that 7Months to the hour you just closed your eyes and left me. I am in THAT MOMENT as I write this. WHEW...Thank YOU...FOREVER..I LOVE YOU! Until We Meet Again Rich MY TRUE COMPANION
I was really saddened when I heard of your passing. Janice had notified me, but I could only visit your site several times and just gaze. For the rest of you, I first met Richard when I was Donna Summer’s Musical Director. I had auditioned multiple drummers, and a close friend, Bob Conti, told me about Richard. He came in and the job was his. A great drummer and rock solid. Even today, people would joke about Disco, but if you were a drummer, it was not a joke. There were no Kick drum sample loops that a keyboard player would trigger. It was the real thing, pedal to the metal for an hour and ½ show. Donna had one huge hit after another and any live show depended on the thumping kick-drum that could never let up. Kind of today, when I car drives buy and you only hear the bass & kick shaking everything around it except it’s done with a computer and even with a live show the drummer has a loop supporting him. The job demanded a great drummer with the endurance of a marathon runner. After shows, before we could hit the bar, we all just collapsed for an hour to get some energy back. If anyone should have complained about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, before it became famous, it should have been Richard. Slamming 4 to the beat on a Kick drum, with me yelling louder, should have put his right ankle into total spasms.
After Donna decided to stop touring, we both went with Rita Coolidge. For myself, I decided to get out of L.A. and move to Lake Tahoe. I was getting away from friends who were killing me with kindness. Janice, I know you understand what I mean. About a year later, I ended up as Diana Ross’ Musical Director for about 20 years. Each time I had to audition drummers for that job, Richard was always the first in my mind. A great person doesn’t always go hand in hand with a great musician, but that wasn’t the case with Richard.
I thought of Richard again when Donna Summer passed a few months ago. I could picture Richard laying back and enjoying himself and then Donna finding out he’s free and hanging around heaven. I know she would grab him in a minute for her new band. Sorry about that Richard. If she does find you, I’m not sure if it would still be heaven or purgatory. Take care and my love to you Janice, and your entire family.
Today is your 66th Birthday and You are In My Thoughts ALL DAY. Remembering how I never missed playing The Beatles HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA every year, quite loudly! I WILL play it during this Birthday also! Will miss sharing dinner, cake, champagne and especially your gorgeous, gentle Smile within the glow of candlelight.. WOW Happy Birthday Richard Lee....Forever Missed; Forever in My Heart...PEACE MY LOVE
rich told me the pilof was an asian dish so the black things were probably fried black ants..and he said it very serious like so i kind of picked around it and janice could not help but crack up -- janice, you probably don't even know how much about cooking you taught me by not teaching me but just serving things i had never had before..back in the 60's i did not eat meat and do not to this day so i was kind of limited to food consumptions...natural was there but undercover! it has been so good janice to be back in touch with you...you guys always meant so much to me!! luv, .lynne
I started playing the drums in 6th grade or so. Not because of pressure from my parents to take up an instrument or to fulfill some romantic idea of continuing a family legacy, mostly because we had a garage filled with drums and it seemed like it would be the cool thing to do. Dad was interested in what I was doing and we’d spend time together sorting through the equipment, listening to music together, talking a bit of theory, but he was really pretty hands off. He let me chart my own course to how I would start playing the drums. Here was a master drummer with a lifetime of experience to share, sitting back and patiently waiting for me to come to him. It was well within his role and abilities to dictate my fledgling attempts at his instrument, but his early lessons were very gentle and more focused on teaching me respect for the drums, through keeping them clean and well-tuned, than on how and what I should play.
Once I began to learn how to play the drums, his lifetime of insight into the instrument came to bear in teaching me about the mental approach. “Less is more” was the mantra. Not what to play, but what not to play. Subtleties involved with listening to the other instruments and playing around the beat were abstract concepts that we talked about for years. His lessons weren’t really on physically playing the drums, the technique per se, they were on the approach to music and being a musician.
This anecdote about drumming is really a metaphor for how my dad impacted the lives of those close to him. His influence was gentle, yet profound. He didn’t issue commands on how things should be done. He lived in a way that showed you how they could be done. He taught me to take nothing for granted. To fully leverage your strengths and to recognize your weaknesses. He taught me that while the process is essential, there is real satisfaction in a job well done. It was his approach to life and being a unique, good person that really touched us.
Dad possessed a seemingly inhuman perseverance. His love for music was also so powerful that a song, or even just a beat, could shift his entire attitude. It was rare that anyone other than mom knew the extent of the trials that tested him. If dad was having a hard time, he would often deflect the conversation back to you, wanting to know how you were doing, what you were up to, what music you’ve been listening to. It was a simple, adaptive approach to finding respite from a bad day.
Through a lifetime of astonishing personal accomplishments dad remained a very real, and genuine person. There was no pretention. He treated everyone equally and was interested in everyone’s story. He found pleasure in the simple things that life has to offer: relationships, music, the sun, the ocean, the rich dark earth of a vegetable garden, pets, and love. He really lived by the mantra that less is more.
Lets raise a glass to my dad and to remember how powerful and simple this message is: Less is more.
Mom, it’s important for you to know that we recognize what a big part you played in dad’s resilience. We joked about him being a medical miracle and having 9 lives, the reality was that you were an exceptional and devoted wife. He didn’t have 9 lives, he had you. Dad defied 27 years of grim prognoses because of your love and attention. You have our gratitude and love for giving us so many great, happy years with dad.
http://sn117w.snt117.mail.live.com/default.aspx?rru=inbox#!/mail/InboxLight.aspx?n=1328126532!n=2135606995&fid=1&fav=1&mid=f67918a3-84d5-11e1-b8df-001e0bcb3590&fv=1
Brookline , Massachusetts has declaired today 4/17/12 as:
Richard Lee "Shtix" Adelman Day
in honor of his many contributions to the Town of Brookline,the music industry and simply a life well lived.
Please use the link above to see the original document.
I recently found a newspaper clipping of the Charades. Oh the memories of the many trips to Nantasket and the "Battle of the Bands". The most special of all is the trip to Chapel Hill North Carolina to deliver his drums. And who can forget that beautiful warm smile. Janice and family, I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my prayers.
WILL never know a gentler human BEING..a Kinder Soul. He was my Calmness .he was my Balance ...Richard..PEACE My LOVE.. THANK YOU..from the ol'lady
My ol' Man..Hes The Drummer In The Band...
We lose touch with old friends.
I called Rich my friend back in the Hudson, Mass. days before he and Janice, Eric and little Zak moved across the world to Canoga Park. When they left I lost a second family.
Seeing Richard as an "old man," in the memorial book photos wasn't so hard; he just looked like Rich; mischievous smile and attentive presence.
A fond memory I have is when I sat down in his kitchen with Rich, Eric Lilliquist and Janice and played and sang a song that I had written. If Rich hadn't been in that room, I just couldn't have done it, but his attention, his sincere interest propped up my confidence. When Orphan was practicing or jamming, Rich would always try to get me doing something, "Lee, play the congas," he would say, "sing." When He was on tour with The Below-Average White Band, with Marty Mull in the late 70s, I would drive over from Cambridge and take Eric to his little league games; Rich made sure that Janice and the boys were looked after when he was on the road. There was a bus load of musicians around to help in those days.
When I lived in Tucson and Rich and Janice were in California, I kept in touch by phone and holiday cards; on those calls Rich was always interested in what I was doing musically - and I wasn't doing much - he would press me, "Are you working," he'd ask. Yeah, I have a job. "No," he'd say, "are you working!" doing gigs? He wanted his musician friends to follow their potential and develop their passion for the muse.
I lost touch over the years, but there has always been a place in my heart for the Adelman family. Richard Adelman affected my life in a positive way. He was a special friend at a time when I needed one.
The only living being that I ever knew to not like Richard was my border collie mix Scorpio-- aka, The Evil Genius. I have no idea why that was, as Scorpio didn't react that way to anyone else and Richard loved dogs and certainly never did anything (that I KNOW OF) to deserve Scorpio's treatment of him.
One of my favorite pictures of Rich, however, is one where he has his hands around Scorpio's throat, pretending to throttle him. A bunch of us were on the beach on Nantucket and Scorpio chose to walk right up to Rich and shake off in his face as he was peacefully sunbathng on a blanket. Unfortunately, the download lost Scorpio's face. He's laughing.
Then there was the Christmas when Janice bought Richard a beautiful pair of cowboy boots. Rich walked in the door, pulled up his pants cuffs to show off his new boots, and Scorpio lifted his leg and urinated on them.
Rich, keep your head up and eyes open. Though I seriously doubt that Scorpio could ever possibly make it to Heaven, you can't be too careful!
