Barry Harvey

[Borderstone]

It's a rainy day here in Phoenix and it helps me imagine the mood of the service you descibe Charlene.
I couldn't have made better words than yours even if I 'd known him as long.

Restless is an appropriate choice,it is,in part,how we fee right now.
The song not only reminds me of my Father in the obvious verse but of Western PA and the great lakes.

I never mentioned it but after Gordon signed my things and Barry took our picture,I honestly did get some kind of unsetling feeling for a moment but I thought it was only because it was getting late and I had to get home.

[charlene]

One thing got a laff from those assembled - it was mentioned with fondness that Barry used to say "if I can't get it..then you don't need it"..and he was always right!"

He was the go to guy-the glue that held things together and got things done..we all owe him a lot for helping bring the Lightfoot experience to us for so long..

[Patti]

Thoughts and prayers continuing.

[Tim]

That was awesome, Char. Thanks again and again for being there, and sharing the experience with us.

"I can feel the restless yearning of those geese as off they roam, and trade that for a warm bed and a place I can call home"

I have never thought of Restless as a farewell song, but as frequently happens, a new door of Gordon's profoundness has opened to me, what a fitting tribute to his partner and friend.

Thanks again, Char.

[seafarer62]

Hadn't been on the newsgroup for a few days. Very saddened to hear the news about Barry. Thanks to all the others in this group for posting sentiments matching my own.

Barry provided me backstage passes a couple of times and was very approachable. The one time I really remember is April 22, 1984 backstage at Northrup Auditorium in Minneapolis. I had called the EMP offices in Toronto a few weeks before the concert and had a nice chat with him. He was very gracious to get me backstage after the concert. (Those were the days when long-distance cost real money.)

Someone asked when Barry came on board. I have a letter signed by Bev Lightfoot from early 1980 when I wrote EMP for the first time about future concerts. So Barry must have come on board shortly thereafter.

I usually had seats near the front. One of my memories of Barry will be remembering seeing him peek at the crowd from behind the curtain shortly before stage time. The loyalty and longevity of Gord's band and his staff speaks volumes. Gord must be a great guy to work for.

John/Minnesota

[charlene]

http://rockinthebluesfromcanada.blog...ue-11-dec.html

BARRY & LIGHTFOOT R.I.P.

Barry Harvey died in Pickering, Ontario on Dec. 3. He was 56. For 26 years, as business manager of Early Morning Productions, he was the behind-the-scenes whirlwind supporting Canada's foremost musical chronicler, Gordon Lightfoot. A service commemorating Harvey’s life took place in Toronto Dec. 9 with Lightfoot performing a moving musical tribute to his fallen partner. Harvey oversaw Lightfoot’s vast recording and songwriting legacy; tightly controlled access to the iconic musical figure who last year returned to performing from the brink of death with an abdominal hemorrhage in 2000; and deftly handled the demands and needs of the mercurial craftsman who believes in perfection.Harvey was fiercely protective of Lightfoot. If someone cheated Gordon, Harvey would come after them with the steely determination of a seasoned bounty hunter. Not only did he have business savvy, Harvey had road sense (dating from the ‘70s when he was road manager with Chilliwack and Toronto), telling musicians under him, “if I can’t get it for you, you don’t need it.” “Barry was a wonderful personal manager,” recalls Lightfoot. “He did a great job.”

[Dream Street Rose]

Thank you Char.

DSR

[Jesse Joe]

Thanks from me as well Char.

[Borderstone]

Everyone,before the clock strikes 12:00 tonight,let's all have one last moment of silence for
Barry Harvey,before we move on to 2008.

[Dream Street Rose]

Thank you. Borderstone. What a good idea. I miss my friend very much.

DSR

[formerlylavender]

On Thanksgiving day, jbt and I were looking through family photos and albums etc. A few pictures stood out - one in particular of the last time we saw Barry Harvey at the Wolftrap show in August 2006. He was so nice, as usual, and let us backstage after the show even though I forgot to call to set it up beforehand. Considering that it is almost a year since he passed away, I thought it would be appropriate to post one of the pictures jbt took that night.

[BILLW]

Nice picture - what is that in your hand ? Cokes ? C'mon now, what's really in the bottles, LOL.

Thanks for sharing the photo.

Bill

[jbt1976]

Formerlylavender is right, Barry was always so nice and accommodating. He went out of his way for fl and I, and I feel very lucky to have had the privilege of meeting him. I guess it goes without saying that he is greatly missed by Gord and co.
Thanks for posting the pic fl.

[jbt1976]

Billw,

You know us too well at this point, all the drunken mystery is gone!! LOL
And thank you ever so much for the collage of pictures, it's a fantastic way of recalling the great moments/times from the shows.

[Jesse Joe]

Good looking pic, thanks for sharing !

[Dream Street Rose]

Hello to all my fellow Lightheads,

I don't post very often but this is a subject very close to my heart. Like most of you I too appreciate all the memories of our wonderful Barry. He was a dear friend that I talked to on the phone several times a month for many years. Ken and I are flying to visit family on Dec. 4th hoping the day will pass quickly. I think of Barry all the time but I think his day will be a hard one for so very many people. He was one of the kindest people I have ever met and I do miss him a lot. I acutally spoke with him the day before he passed away.

Now here is the big question. Who else besides me has an 8x10 picture of Barry signed by him? I will always treasure the two I have.

I wish you all a safe and healthy holiday season.

DSR

[JohninCt.]

I must agree with all the good things that you have said about Barry. He was an exceptional guy, and a guy who felt that Gordons fans were special and treated us that way. Many times he had said to me " just let me know you are around, you are always invited backstage with us ", and he kept his word on that. How many other managers have you ever heard say lines like that? Leslie seems like a nice guy, but I only met him once, I do hope he follows Barrys footsteps, at least to some degree. To Barry , he sure is missed.

[charlene]

It's a year ago today we heard that Barry had died so suddenly and so young an age. It was very different at the concerts this past year to not see him and watch how he took care of Gord and how he tried to please as many fans as he could. I often think of his family and how they are doing.

[Dream Street Rose]

At 56 I have learned the meaning of, "Gone but not forgotten". What a fine man. I don't think of him as gone, just gone on ahead. It is hard to believe that a year has passed. I miss him so much.

Thank you all for being here. It is comforting to know I am not alone in my feelings.

DSR

[Jesse Joe]

I still do think about him, from time to time. Will never forget my phone conversations I had with him, and to actually see him at The Moncton Coliseum, coming from behind the stage on the left side pacing that floor, looking at the crowd walking in just as concert time was approaching. And then disapearing again to probably go to Gord & the Boys and say something like, looks like a full house...

He was a wonderful man !

To be under the same roof as The Lightfoot Tour, got me goosebumps on my goosebumps... lol !

And then at the end got a strong hand shake, and the rest is history.

Canadain Legend Gordon Lightfoot, in my neck of the woods !

[Nightingale]

It's really nice for me to read all of your fond memories of Barry. He sounds like a wonderful man and a great asset to Gordon's team.

It's too bad when managers and others that work with a performer act like they are there to run interference and stop you from ever meeting the artist.
What a wonderful legacy he leaves behind with the fans...really nice to read about.

It's one more thing to appreciate about Gordon Lightfoot. He seems very genuine in his fondness for his fans and his ability to be so down to earth about his fame.
I really love hearing your stories. Thanks

[charlene]

It's the third anniversay of Barry's death.
I still miss seeing him at concerts, hovering around, doing everything necessary to make sure that the evening was as perfect as possible for the audience, the band and Lightfoot. He did a hell of a job.

[brink-]

Yeah, it sure is different without Scary Barry. Although, I think things move along quite well still.

[formerlylavender]

I miss him too. I haven't met the new guy, but Barry was so friendly and talkative. You could tell right away that he was "in charge".

[Dream Street Rose]

Barry Harvey was a good friend of mine. We spoke on the phone several times a month, usually having very little talk about Gordon or any one in the band. We were just friends. I had spoken to him on a long phone call just 12-14 hours before he passed a way. I am reminded of Barry every day since my art studio has pictures of him all over. Even an 8x10 signed and framed picture. I will never forget the morning I got the call that he was gone. I was in shock for days since he had told me he was feeling very well.

I have learned to appreciate people in my life more. We just never know when our friend or loved one will no longer be there.

I miss you Barry,

DSR