Gone in 2025

But Not Forgotten

Editor’s Note: There’s still time to take advantage of our holiday special $30 annual subscription rate through midnight tonight. Many thanks to the large number of readers who have given us their vote of support. Looking forward to new and better things in 2026. (Incidentally, we’re tentatively hoping to have a livestream of the 3WHH podcast this Friday morning around 10:05 am PACIFIC time, but stay tuned for updates.)

—Steve

As Willie Nelson said, funny how time slips away. Back in January, Garth Hudson of The Band, passed away at 87. The multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work on organ, was predeceased by band members Robbie Robertson (2023), Levon Helm (2012), Rick Danko (1999) and Richard Manuel (1986), all Canadians except for Helm.

In February, the great Gene Barge left us at age 98. Gene played the solo on “CC Rider,” a hit for Chuck Willis in 1957. Gene hooked up with Gary U.S. Bonds on “Quarter to Three,” “New Orleans,” “School is Out,” “Dear Lady Twist,” and “Twist Twist Senora.” That’s Gene in the horn section on “Rescue Me,” a hit for Fontella Bass in 1965. Barge also worked as a music producer and appeared in several movies, including The Fugitive.

Time continued to slip away and in early December Steve Cropper passed away at 84. The guitarist came up with the Mar-Keys, house band for Stax records. On “Soul Man,” Sam Moore, who also left us in 2025, told him to “play it Steve!” Cropper did play it, on countless records including Otis Redding’s “Dock of the Bay.” Check out Steve and his bandmates back in 1967, in this live performance in Oslo, Norway. As Steve, Gene and Garth confirm, you don’t have to be the front man to be great.

In 2025 we also said goodbye to David Horowitz, Mario Vargas Llosa and Norman Podhoretz. Funny how time slips away. Why, just a few days ago the credits rolled on Brigitte Bardot. As Harry Warren said, there will never be another you.