Goodbye, Joe Bird: 1967-2009
JOE BIRD
1967-2009
In the summer of 1989 I was a young theatre technician just starting out, and one of my first gigs was at Nexus Theatre working with an upstart comedy troupe called Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie. That was my first Joe Bird experience.
After that we became friends and continued to work with each other on and off in the theatre world. In the early nineties I was starting Captain Tractor, and Joe and his friends were starting another local band: Hookahman. Our two bands led the charge on Whyte Avenue, playing every venue, creating new ones, and being instrumental in making it what it is today, for good or bad. Our respective bands often played together at Folk Festivals throughout Alberta and beyond, and we all became great friends and colleagues. Captain Tractor even recorded a Joe Bird song called The Dublin Lullaby, and he would often join us on stage to perform it, just as I would often find myself on stage with Joe and Hookahman at some gig playing and singing along with them.
As the years rolled on I remained good friends with Joe. Although Hookahman eventually disbanded, Joe continued to write amazing, funny, and heart felt songs and hosted several open stages around Edmonton. He was always a charming and entertaining host that would make everyone at his stages feel welcomed and loved. Many current singer songwriters cite Joe’s warmth, wit, and encouragement as the reason that they now do what they do.
If you ever met Joe, then you were hugged by him, because he greeted everyone he met with a giant bear hug. If you ever hung out with Joe, then you have a Joe Bird story to tell, because Joe’s life was an adventure and he lived every day as if it were his last. If you knew Joe, then you understand what a huge loss his passing represents.
Most recently I was honoured when Joe agreed to be a contributor to the Songs From the Ave CD Project, a compilation of Norwood residents writing and recording songs about the area. A long time McCauley resident, Joe wrote Bumtown, and it was a pleasure to record the song for the CD, and perform it with him at the release party at last year’s Kaleido Festival. Perhaps his last studio recording, Bumtown is one of the highlights of the Songs From the Ave CD.
Joe Bird was a friend, a colleague, a brilliant songwriter, a fearless performer, a funny, gentle, carefree spirit, and someone who personally touched the lives of hundreds of people all over the world. Including mine. This world definitely needs more Joe Birds.
Edmonton is a little sadder without Joe Bird in it, but his legacy will live on through his many great songs and The Joe Bird Foundation that was quickly set up by his family to aid young performers.
Good-bye Joe. I love you.
SCOTT PETERS
Tags: artists, Joe Bird, singer-songwriter
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