THE MUSIC MAN!

    WEDNESDAY, JULY 17TH., 2019
               THE MUSIC MAN!

    Every now and then, if you're lucky,
you meet someone who becomes an
instant friend and remains one even
though you seldom, if ever, see each
other again.
    That's the way it was when my wife
and I were on the Big Island in Hawaii
and met Slyde Hyde and his wife Yolee.
     My brother-in-law knew the couple
for sometime and wanted us to meet them,
We were welcomed into their home as
though we had know them for years and
by the time we left we were trading jokes
and stories and sporting some Hawaiian
shirts that no longer fit Slyde.
      My brother-in-law told me Slyde
was a musician. Talk about an under
statement!
     Richard John "Slyde" Hyde was a
trombonist who played with, among
others, Bobby Darin, Count Basie, Frank
Sinatra, The Beach Boys, Steely Dan,
Earth, Wind & Fire, Madonna, Carole
King, Neil Diamond, Henry Mancini,
and Donna Summers. Those are
just the ones I know about! Talk about
a "Music Man!"
      Fortunately we then got a chance
to hear him play as he joined some
other musical pros at a nightclub near
my brother-in-law's island home.
      Before and after his set he joined
us at our table and, again, treated us
like family although it was only our
second time together.
      Next thing I knew we were back
at home and Slyde and Yolee joined
us as friends on Facebook where we've
kept in touch for the past 4 years.
       Slyde was dealing with some
health issues even when we visited but
you'd never know it. His warmth and
friendly nature painted a picture of a
man who loved life and the people in
it! And all who knew him loved him
back!
       On Tuesday we received word
from Yolee that Slyde had passed.
The word came as she posted a video
of him playing "The Very Thought Of
You." It was "Their song!"
        Well, the very thought of them
brings a smile to our face even in this
sad moment.
         I only wish we had more time
to spend with the both of them.
         Hope all your NEWS is good friends.
See you later Slyde!