Ben Randall, a fine drummer and great friend, died last night. He’s the one with the cymbal on his head — that’s not something you read every day, is it? Normally in obituaries they tell you how old someone was, but in this case I’m no help; I don’t know how old Ben was. He was definitely over 65, probably younger than 80, but it didn’t matter — he had a very youthful spirit. He was generous with his time, his knowledge, his good humor, his worldly goods, and his music.
This picture was taken a week or so before I moved to Chicago in 2002. Scott Morris, the guy in the middle, was a drum teacher to both me and Ben, and brought us together early in my tenure in the Bay Area. As you can see, we got along rather well. Scott died in 2003, and Ben and I continued to keep in touch. I have a collection of dozens of CDs Ben gave me in person before I left, and by mail after I moved. We kept each other up on what we were doing every couple months, and Ben was always up to something, playing tons of gigs all over the place.
It was a shock to hear that he died. I hadn’t heard from him in several months, and I admit I was starting to wonder. He was a beautiful man with a magnificent set of teeth (molded in plastic from those of his son — Ben’s natural teeth were mostly gone), and I miss him dearly already.
Ben was always generous to fellow musicians. I still regularly use a cymbal and stick bag he gave to me.
He would get your address and then every other month or so mail you stacks of CDs he gathered from various places.
He was always eager to show you the latest lick he had learned and his playing was always improving.
I only knew Ben from rehearsing with him twice this year. He gave me 2 CD's that I really like. Besides being generous the man told many captivating stories on our breaks. I was looking forward to the next installments. I also enjoyed his playing. He knew how to second guess a tune that he never heard before. Hope is musical spirit is passed onto some young drummer-to-be.
Hey, that man has my teeth. I'm missing him too. Thanks for the great posts.
Posted by Adam Randall at December 19, 2006 3:57 PMThank you for this wonderful tribute to my dad. It's hearfelt and means a lot to all of us. He was a cool cat!
Debbie Randall Porter
Posted by Debbie Randall Porter at December 21, 2006 6:50 PMCheck out www.benrandall.org
Posted by Jerry Draper at February 8, 2007 5:39 PMI'm glad I found blog after looking up his name on the internet. I still have one of his business cards in my wallet. :) I play bass and got to make some music with him several times at the JazzSchool and at Octavia Lounge. Nice guy, great player, I'll miss playing with him.
Posted by Huy Nguyen at February 23, 2007 12:17 AM5/27/07... A bassist friend of mine came over and saw a CD Ben made for me of local drummers. My friend told me of Ben's passing. What a loss!
He had a great spirit! I will miss him.
Posted by Jim Zimmerman at May 27, 2007 11:51 PMIt's great to see all these remembrances here. Thanks, everyone.
Posted by Joe at May 28, 2007 11:24 AM
A very thoughtful posting. Ben was an original and remains in my heart. Thanks for the posting.
regards
Posted by Doug Stevens at November 30, 2006 1:33 PMDoug