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Befitting words by Neil Young on this sad day...thanks Mike Callahan...
"Days That Used To Be"
People say don't rock the boat, let things go their own way
Ideas that once seemed so right, now have gotten hard to say
I wish that I could talk to you, and you could talk to me
'Cause there's very few of us left my friend
From the days that used to be
Seemed like such a simple thing to follow one's own dream
But possessions and concessions are not often what they seem
They drag you down and load you down in disguise of security
But we never had to make those deals
In the days that used to be.
Talk to me, my long lost friend, tell me how you are
Are you happy with your circumstance, are you driving a new car?
Does it get you where you wanna go, with a seven year warranty?
Or just another hundred thousand miles away
From days that used to be.
:RIP: Mike Callahan. I only met the guy a couple of times, but he was a character.
Horace
EAPFP
What a shame to lose such a wonderful man so rich in memories of the ABB and family. I wish I had been able to spend more time with him.
As was said before, Ride on Mike.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
That's a shame about Mike Callahan. I remember hearing that he was ill when I was on ABB tour, but I was hoping he would beat the odds and pull through. I wish he had.
Just in case some people reading this don't know, many of the tapes we have of the original band wouldn't exist if Mike hadn't thought to record them, at a time when few bands taped their shows. Soundmen are often underappreciated in the music business, but they play a big part in helping make the music happen. We are able to enjoy lots of great music from the Duane era thanks to Mike's foresight, and we all owe him a big debt. I know I appreciate his work.
RIP Brother Mike Callahan.
Much love to Regina. I am fairly upset, but what can you do? Rest easy, Callahan.
EAPFP
to all who feel the loss condolences and support in your time of loss heres to the happy memories that will ultimately see all through this be well and at peace mike c god bless you and all whos life you enriched
Pam and Reddog....your words say it all. How precious these people are to the legacy of the music. I hope some of our younger folks who are fans of this music and band, will take a moment to reflect as to the big picture
of what this music means. It is at the heart of the matter as to why I have
held the Jam for Duane the last 30 years. So special that we all gather, if for no other reason, to pay homage
and respect to this legacy Brother Duane started.
My heartfelt condolences to the Callahan family. God speed Mike.
spdb
"The man could get sound out of a turnip"
In a strange way, that compliment ought to be on Mike headstone. It pretty much says it all....
Dog can be a genius when he wants to be...
This passing brings out the old school dogs, warriors, and roses that made up the Brotherhood.
My only hope is they all get together to play for Mike. Put the BS aside, and show some respect for the Brother.
Find a quiet bar or barn or whatever space you need, and give back to Mike some of the love he gave the Band. If you want only a core family gathering, call in the dogs and roses and make it private.
:angel2:
Very sad news regarding Mike Callahan.:cry: Prayers going out to his family and friends - may they all find comfort in the love being sent their way. Those of you who have shared stories here provide testament to the man he was and the legion who loved him. Godspeed Callahan - your brothers await you.
Thanks, Pam and Red Dog for sharing your stories and memories.
Rest in Peace, Mike.
I am kind of at a loss for words, but I am going to find some to type out here because if Callahan knew I was sitting here losing tears he may come and visit me in my sleep and pull my toes tonight.
When I started this "Adopt an Old Roadie Club" a few years ago, it was because Clay had found Kim Payne one day, and that put me on the search locating all the old roadies to see how they were and what they were doing in life so many years later. That quest lead me to Callahan. I talked with him on the phone a few times before I met him in person and we were instant friends. (Luke was there the first time I met Callahan) He would talk about sound equipment and amps and mixing boards and stage set ups and road cases and packing a truck, the old van they traveled in, the ABB during the early years and all kinds of things for HOURS on the phone. Kim used to call once in awhile and say "Can you call Callahan and tell him such and such? I don't have a couple of spare hours to talk on the phone right now." We would laugh about it and I would call and he would talk for a couple of hours and I listened to everything he had to say, every time and I would not trade a second of any of it for anything in the world. When I talk to Kim and we are on the phone too long he calls me CallaPam, and we laugh.
I treasure every story Callahan shared with me and every moment I got to hang out with him. Most recently at Wanee and I can honestly say we weren't all there for the music as our number one reason.
I learned a lot from Callahan, he had kindness that can not be measured, he helped everyone that came along in life that he could help, he is a brother to so many. He lived life the way he wanted to, not how anyone thought he should, and that is one of the reasons I love him dearly...
I wish him a wonderful journey to join his brothers Berry, Duane, Twiggs, Joe Dan, Buffalo, and many others who are waiting to welcome him into the brotherhood on the other side. The road does go on forever, sometimes our friends just have to go on ahead on that road before we do.
Sending out love and comfort to Regina and the Callahan family, to Joan and Rachael, Kim, Red Dog, Tuffy, Dickey, Willie, Judi, Big Linda, the ABB, and everyone who's life was touched in some way by having had the chance to know Callahan, and to everyone who ever listened to an early ABB show, because without Callahan the sound would not have been as good as it was for you all to enjoy the music as you do.
I love you Callahan.
I will end this with a funny quote from Callahan just before the band was going to play the Whiskey-A-Go-Go in LA.
"C'mon, brothers, they gonna eat you *alive* at the Whuskey-a-Dildo."
God speed Mike Callahan. Yesterday was a bad day, I found out about two dear old freinds I lost this week as well. Dropping like flys it seems. Baby is gone off to school, house is quieter, three more beacons of the 60's departed this world. Gotta tough it out and move forward.
Don't be angry don't be sad
Don't sit crying over good
Times you had
There's a girl, right next to you
And she's just waiting for something
To do
So if you can't be with the ones you love, honey
Love the one's your with
My heart goes out to you, Brother Red Dog, and to all those who knew and loved Mike Callahan. Let his life stand in tribute to the quality of his soul.
I wanted to say some things last night but eyes where to cloudy and thoughts just did not seem to be coherent. Most people here did not know my brother, but knew him from the good things said on this guest book. I do thank you all for your words. Brother Mike was a man who loved and lived life, I mean he lived life to its fullest. Many time dealt a bad hand during his life, but never lost the spirit to live, and party. Some say that was his down fall, but I tell you that is what kept him going.
Few people could work being all messed up and still gets the job done with expert care. He took his job very serious just like the Band did. Which we all know showed in the music. I've seen the Mander take a sound system that God could not figure out how to get it to work, and with wires running everywhere and talking numbers the whole time, ( ha ha inside joke, Kim Payne knows about those numbers ), would get the job done. Above all, the job must get done. The man could get sound out of a turnip. Brother Mike, brother Kim Payne, brother Twiggs, and I were in the heat of battle together for the first year or so. Starving, getting thinner and thinner every day for the first three years. We had brother JoDan, Willie P, and Tuffy join up after about a year or so. We were still at the bottom of the tree No mon, just good music hard work, many sleepless night driving to the next gig. No matter we were all together and having fun. Mike, Kim, and I over the years have not hung out together, We would talk every now and then on the phone, but we did not have to. There was a bond that could not be broken. We were in tune with each other in just knowing you got two partners that will, when the chips are down, be standing tall right beside you. We worked for no money the first year. I gave my disability check to the band every month to live on. Kim road a 350 Honda across country to join up. That ride beat the man to death. But the name of the game was get to the gig. We lived, drake, and screwed to that tune. You do not find that kind of dedication every day.
I will not try to hid the hurt that I feel. I loved this man. He is part of my soul. His passing has put tears in my old hard ass eyes. I will miss him more than I can say, just hoping that the good book is for real and I will see him again one day. Do it brother Mikes' way, party up and know the brother hurts no more. Live life and have fun. Put a smile on someone's face and watch yours light up.
We hurt today, but remember the troops, and keep that one eye open. We all, are at one time, or another, are caught in the room full of darkness, like the drifter on the plains surrounded by the times of the past.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the Callahan family as Mike's journey continues. Fly on sweet angel ...
Take care and know that you are loved,
Lana
RIP Mike C
Rest in Peace, Mike.
R.I.P. Mike