Barry Harvey

[Borderstone]

For the first time in over week I'm here at the library on my day off and given the sadness of this situation,I find myself unable to respond to other posts. I searched the web for a significant mention of Barry and here's what I found.

http://mizshelysspace.blogspot.com/2...ry-harvey.html

and I found this site and added the news about Barry to it :

http://www.greatlakeswiki.org/index....rdon_Lightfoot.

I figured it's the least I could do to for the man who served Gordon so well.

[jj]

fyi, some really nice posts at the otherwise idle (or spam filled) Lightfoot newsgroup...

[charlene]

Hi Ingrid,
thanks so much for letting me/us know how things are. I can't imagine how difficult this is for everyone concerned. Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and hearts.
The whole Lightfoot "Family" is very dear to all of The Net People and our hearts are hurting along with yours..

hugs to all of you..
Char

[Jesse Joe]

"A big loss for the Lightfoot team"...


Just a few words. Im still having difficuty believing this. I can
still see him, this past May 11th, pacing the floor at The Moncton
Coliseum. Checking the large crowd on a hot friday evening. After the
concert I got a huge handshake, from Mr. Harvey and got to meet the
poet who I imagined to be a bit taller.

I talked twice on the phone with Barry Harvey. He made me laugh, and
I made him laugh as well. I remember telling him I can't beleive Im
actually talking with Gordon Lightfoot's manager. We talked a bit
more, and I remember telling him at the end of the conversation, that
Gordon was, 'no big ego show off.' And he said," that's why people
love him so much." I agreed.

The second time, he returned my call. When I saw the Toronto telephone
number on my caller ID, I thought this can't be. Thinking it was
probably a secretary at EMP returning a message from Mr. Harvey. So
being a little nervous, I answered, Hello, on the other end, "Hi this
is Barry Harvey from the Gordon Lightfoot office." I knew right then
that my idol, Gordon Lightfoot had some friendly down to earth people
working for him.

I wont get into what the telephone conversation was about. But he had
received the CD that I convince a friend of mine, who is a good singer
songwriter from NB to send to EMP/ Barry Harvey. He told me, I
listened to it and I like it, and sort of pointed him in the direction
to what to do next. When I told him that he was however not nominated
for an East Coast Music Award, for that CD. I remember very well his
reply which was in a friendly tone, "Ah what do they know
anyway." (Laughing) We both had a good laugh...

So in ending this, it makes me think, we all have to go one day, and I
hope the day never comes that Gordon Lightfoot goes before
me...because, I cant imagine a world without Canada's greatest gift.
"The Poet Genius"... ~gl~

I will never forget, Barry Harvey...

A Lighthead always,

~ Jesse Joe ~

[Jesse Joe]

Originally Posted by Melody

Dear Char and Fans,
I'm sure that Dad appreciates your kind words, as does Barry's family. Thank you all.
I spoke to Dad the other night and he is doing OK, just so all of you know.
Barry will be dearly missed by his family, Dad and the band of course....
Take Care All,
Ingrid

Thanks for posting this info Ingrid. {Melody}

[Yuri]

Thanks for sharing that JJ. It really paints a beautiful image of Barry. Wonderful.
....and thanks to to Ingrid as we all want to know how Gord is holding up during this tragic event.

Yuri

[Kenyon]

This is terribly sad news and I hope Barry's family (including the EMP family) knows that we all send our most heartfelt condolences.

I will always remember Barry as a generous and fair man, who always went out of his way for Lightfoot fans. I'll never forget the time I attended a Lightfoot concert in January 2006 at the Dominion Club in downtown Toronto. I arrived early and found the ballroom where the band was performing and there was Barry, running around, checking that everything was just so. He immediately recognized me and came over for a chat. What struck me as amazing was that here was a guy with probably a million things on his mind and a million tasks to perform before the show, and here he was taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to a young Lightfoot fan.

Perhaps my fondest memory of Barry is when I met him after the first of two Lightfoot shows in Stratford, Ontario in December 2005. I had brought my Dad with me (a longtime Lightfoot fan who used to go see Lightfoot at the Riverboat) and when Barry handed me a backstage pass, I explained to him that my Dad would love to meet Lightfoot and the gang too. With only a few passes to spare, Barry happily handed another one over. Watching my Dad meet the singer he'd been listening to long before I was born is an experience I will never forget. All thanks to Barry Harvey.

Rest in peace.

Kenyon

[charlene]

Kenyon - you're right about Barry taking time for people amongst what must have been chaos for him before and after a concert. He always tried to accomodate as many as possible within what he knew would be Lightfoot's comfort range.

It's a testament to the man that he was so kind to you and your dad..what a treat for him after all those years..

Hope you're doing well sonny boy,


Hi to your folks..

Char

[brink-]

It is a huge testament to him that basically every other part of this forum has stood still since we got the news. I wonder if he knew that so many people had so much respect for him. For those who were friends with him, or knew him well, the concerts just aren't going to be the same, he has left some mighty big shoes to fill.

[Gord H]

Did anybody from Ontario manage to get to Barry's visitation? I had planned on attending but because I was sick earlier in the week and missed work, I'm working this weekend.

Thanks Ingrid for letting all of us know how your dad is doing etc with all of this.

[Layne]

I just learned about Barry a few hours ago and had such a need to express my feelings - but what and to who? And then I remembered that you all were here. I haven't participated regularly here and not in a very long time, but I have met many of you at shows and knew that I would find the same kindred spirits here. I can't actually say that I "knew" Barry, but after many venues and many years he was a familiar presence, and I was so honored when I realized that at some point he recognized me too; he was the Ambassador of the Lightfoot experience - firm, friendly, efficient, funny - but always there. He was there to escort us when fortunate enough to go backstage and delivered the messages when we weren't. And I have to believe that there are many of us have who have those same cherished pictures, taken with Barry's helpful hands on our cameras. He had a gift of remaining kind and personable while maintaining the control and authority that his position demanded. He had a remarkable memory for people as well. The last time I saw him was early this year in Agoura. We passed in front of the club before the show and though he was clearly in a hurry, he took the time to smile and say hello. What seemed like a passing moment at the time will now forever be a valued memory. My own small sense of loss is so profound that I can't even imagine the void being felt right now by his family, Gordon, the band, the EMP family, and all who loved him. My thoughts and prayers are with them all. Thank you for this place and the opportunity to share and to all of you who have expressed my feelings in your own touching words.

[SilverHeels]

I am bringing this to the top because there are still many who have not read this thread and I think they should. Today is the funeral and my thoughts are with them all.
I'm sure Barry will be watching, checking that all arrangements have been checked and double checked.

[OldDan]

Very saddened to hear of Barry Harvey's passing. I didn't know him personally, but he was a presence when I would go to the stage door to meet Gordon after a concert. I spoke with him briefly in Milwaukee on September 19. Nice man, he will be missed.

My condolences to his family and the Lightfoot organization.

[charlene]

I attended the memorial for Barry this afternoon. Around 230 people attended a beautiful memorial service on a grey and gloomy day in Toronto while a light snow fell.
His personal family and professional family were there as were scores of friends and associates.
Gordon played and sang a remarkable rendition of Restless that has forever changed how I will listen to it from now on. As I told him later it was a perfect choice.
Rick Haynes spoke lovingly and eloquently of not only a business buddy but a friend he loved. He said that Barry was the glue that held it all together.
It was a truly loving and poignant memorial for a man taken from his family at far too young an age.
I signed the guestbook for all the fans who say 'thanks Barry, we will miss you."
I spoke with Gordon (I got a nice "Hi CHar" and hug) after the memorial service and he said the 2008 tour will continue with more dates to be added. I told him that fans all over were grateful for all the kindnesses Barry showed them over the years with backstage passes and special requests. He had a fine line to walk.
He will be missed and it will hit us when next we attend a concert and look around and he's not there...
Gordon looked well and I mentioned that we were all concerned about how he was doing with the loss of such a key person in his life.
When we said goodbye I told him we all loved him. As always he was humble and said "thankyou."
I will miss Barry..the grumpy Barry and the smiling Barry..the Barry who did so much for us and The Man..
Char

[talbot10]

Thanks Charzo.
Bill

[Peter Bro10]

Thank Char, for speaking so well for all of us.

[Jesse Joe]

Special thanks from me as well Char. Im gonna give 'Restless' a listen, with Barry Harvey in mind...

[Yuri]

Thank You Char,
For keeping all us Corfidians in mind when attending today's service and passing on our condolences.
Yuri

[mnmouse]

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us Char, beautifully expressed, as always.

[louisemnnpls]

Thanks Char. So sad, and yes, he was way too young.

LM

[louisemnnpls]

Originally Posted by brink-

It is a huge testament to him that basically every other part of this forum has stood still since we got the news. I wonder if he knew that so many people had so much respect for him. For those who were friends with him, or knew him well, the concerts just aren't going to be the same, he has left some mighty big shoes to fill.

You just said it all. Amen!

Louise

[lighthead2toe]

The news about Barry is so very sad and difficult to come to terms with. To lose the presence with such stature as a guy like him is hard to comprehend. My sincere condolences go out to all those within his Family circle and of Friends. After having the opportunity to observe him perform at his profession while attending the many Gordon Lightfoot concerts, it wasn't difficult to figure out that this man had a gift. He always treated everyone with dignity and respect while at the same time ensuring that the show came off flawless and the job was done effectively from beginning to end. When Gord walked out on the stage to do his show I always took note of just how comfortable he looked and how that feeling reflected back onto the audience immediately. That kind of magic would not happen without the skill of an astute manager who for twenty six years dealt with the most difficult situations with the effectiveness of an ultimate professional. Sincerely, Ron Jones

[RM]

I'll add my thanks for being a fine representative of fans everywhere.

Do you recall any humorous anecdotes, if any, that were shared during the service ?

[Rainbow Trout]

Thank you Char for sharing our condolences and for attending the service for those of us who could not attend.

[Gord H]

That's really freaky Gord chose Restless to sing.. I can't listen to Waiting for You CD without thinking about my paternal grandfather.. that CD came out shortly after my Grandpa died and Restless especially sends a shiver up my spine whenever I hear it and I can only imagine what Barry's family must have felt hearing it.

Thanks Char for signing the guestbook on behalf of us here, I wished I could have attended and I would have, it just wasn't possible for me to be there.