RIP Bob Birch

[Karen M]

http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=750902

Elton John's bassist found dead
Aug. 15, 2012, 6:25 PM EST


WENN

Elton John's bassist has been found dead after apparently taking his
own life.

The body of Robert Wayne Birch, who has been rocking out with Elton
since 1992, was discovered near his home on Wednesday morning.

Bing: More on Robert Wayne Birch

Police tell Reuters the musician had what appeared to be a self-
inflicted gunshot wound to the head, although cops have yet to find a
suicide note and cannot confirm he took his life.

Throughout his lengthy career, Birch also performed with other music
legends, including Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Cher,
Sting and Tina Turner.

He had been playing with Elton for 20 years and was part of the studio
recording for his smash hit "Candle in the Wind" in 1997.

[j***@jeffweho.com]

Sad. :(


On Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:10:13 -0700 (PDT), Karen M

Post by Karen M
http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=750902
Elton John's bassist found dead
Aug. 15, 2012, 6:25 PM EST
WENN
Elton John's bassist has been found dead after apparently taking his
own life.
The body of Robert Wayne Birch, who has been rocking out with Elton
since 1992, was discovered near his home on Wednesday morning.
Bing: More on Robert Wayne Birch
Police tell Reuters the musician had what appeared to be a self-
inflicted gunshot wound to the head, although cops have yet to find a
suicide note and cannot confirm he took his life.
Throughout his lengthy career, Birch also performed with other music
legends, including Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Cher,
Sting and Tina Turner.
He had been playing with Elton for 20 years and was part of the studio
recording for his smash hit "Candle in the Wind" in 1997.

[Brian Smith]

Post by Karen M
http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=750902
Elton John's bassist found dead
Aug. 15, 2012, 6:25 PM EST
WENN
Elton John's bassist has been found dead after apparently taking his
own life.
The body of Robert Wayne Birch, who has been rocking out with Elton
since 1992, was discovered near his home on Wednesday morning.
Bing: More on Robert Wayne Birch
Police tell Reuters the musician had what appeared to be a self-
inflicted gunshot wound to the head, although cops have yet to find a
suicide note and cannot confirm he took his life.
Throughout his lengthy career, Birch also performed with other music
legends, including Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Cher,
Sting and Tina Turner.
He had been playing with Elton for 20 years and was part of the studio
recording for his smash hit "Candle in the Wind" in 1997.

I'm totally shocked. Considering how often he would have been around the
other band members you'd think someone would have realized something.

Brian

[Karen M]

Post by Brian Smith
I'm totally shocked. Considering how often he would have been around the
other band members you'd think someone would have realized something.
Brian

Wasn't he in an accident that messed up his leg and spine? It's
probably wrong to jump to conclusions, but if he was living with
chronic pain, well...<sigh>

Still, it's a shame. First Guy, now Bob.


Karen

[Brian Smith]

Post by Karen M

Post by Brian Smith
I'm totally shocked. Considering how often he would have been around the
other band members you'd think someone would have realized something.
Brian

Wasn't he in an accident that messed up his leg and spine? It's
probably wrong to jump to conclusions, but if he was living with
chronic pain, well...<sigh>
Still, it's a shame. First Guy, now Bob.
Karen

Back in 1995 they were on tour in Montreal and some idiot drove onto the
sidewalk and Bob ended up with a broken back. I'm not sure if his leg was
impacted or not. From what I've heard he was in a lot of pain for years and
at one point was actually sitting on stool while playing. He had another
operation after that and I thought he was fine but who knows. He might have
been hiding his pain.

Very sad situation.

Brian

[j***@videotron.ca]

Why do you say the driver was an idiot, do you know exactly what happened?

[Brian Smith]

Post by j***@videotron.ca

Post by Brian Smith
I'm totally shocked. Considering how often he would have been around

the >> other band members you'd think someone would have realized
something. >> >> Brian > > > Wasn't he in an accident that messed up his
leg and spine? It's > probably wrong to jump to conclusions, but if he
was living with > chronic pain, well...<sigh> > > Still, it's a shame.
First Guy, now Bob. > > > Karen Back in 1995 they were on tour in
Montreal and some idiot drove onto the sidewalk and Bob ended up with a
broken back. I'm not sure if his leg was impacted or not. From what I've
heard he was in a lot of pain for years and at one point was actually
sitting on stool while playing. He had another operation after that and I
thought he was fine but who knows. He might have been hiding his pain.
Very sad situation. Brian

Why do you say the driver was an idiot, do you know exactly what happened?

I more or less do know. Bob was with some other tour related people and they
were walking down a sidewalk in Montreal. The driver (whom I believe was
drunk) drove up onto the sidewalk and Bob and I think two other people got
hit. The other two weren't hurt too bad but Bob obviously was. From what I
remember, he was in the hospital for about six months.

Brian

[Karen M]

Post by j***@videotron.ca
Why do you say the driver was an idiot, do you know exactly what happened?

Any time a car winds up on the sidewalk, there's an excellent chance
significant idiocy is involved. Note that getting behind the wheel
whilst intoxicated falls into the category of idiocy.

Karen