Rip Ted Reinhardt - Drummer Gamalon and Spyro Gyra

[firth5th]

Ted Reinhardt was a fine drummer in a number of progressive rock and jazz fusion bands. He was killed in a plane crash in Virginia today.


http://www.buffalonews.com/city-regi...crash-20150304

Reinhardt was widely regarded as one of the most virtuosic musicians in the history of Buffalo music. A 1971 graduate of Kenmore West High School, he launched a series of groundbreaking progressive rock and jazz-fusion bands, many of them featuring his bassist brother, Tom Reinhardt.

A lifelong fan of all kinds of music, Reinhardt, a drummer, favored complex compositions that made him a legend among Buffalo musicians.

Even after a virus permanently damaged his hearing, and he was forced to perform with protective headphones guarding his remaining hearing, Reinhardt continued a vigorous performance regimen.

It was as a member of the progressive jazz-fusion ensemble Gamalon that Reinhardt reached his highest creative plateau.

The band’s self-titled 1987 debut helped to forge a worldwide cult audience for the group, and is now a highly coveted collector’s item. Reinhardt also performed with Spyro Gyra – most notably during the band’s commercial high point, 1979’s “Morning Dance” album – as well as with Willie & the Reinhardts, Ron LoCurto & the Reinhardts, and the Maelstrom Percussion Ensemble.

He was in a band called "Rush" (no not that Rush) in the early 70s, and opened up for Genesis in Buffalo in 1973. They did some covers of Gentle Giant and Genesis. The guys from Genesis were shocked a band in America was covering their music. I once talked to Reinhardt who said he got a call from Genesis management in 1977 when they were looking for a tour drummer, but it never got as far as an audition.

[Gizmotron]

What a shame! So sorry to hear. All condolences to his family and friends.
R.I.P.