Friends/Family:
Bart, my dad, was often the life of the party. As a result, I am SURE that you all have lots and lots of pictures and memories to share...
So, respond to this post with any and all memories you have of my dad. If this is too confusing, click HERE to post pictures and comments on the Facebook Bart Bishop Memorial Project page. Once there, simply respond to the 'memories' thread OR click on the photos section to post pictures.
If, for some reason, both of these options don't work, please email your memories and pictures to me ( grahampbishop@gmail.com ) and I will take care of everything. By the way, the above picture is of me at age one in my dad's arms - it's one of my very favorites...
Details about the memorial service will be posted as soon as they are known. At the memorial service, your pictures and memories will be prominently displayed.
So, respond to this post ASAP so that I can include your memories/thoughts/pictures at the memorial!
Love,
Graham
Post memories/stories about Bart here!
ReplyDeleteThere are many different avenues to post and communicate on the site so we will be taking all of the stories about my dad from facebook and posting them here.... ENJOY!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Jodi
Joshua Forman wrote:
ReplyDeleteI have so many...
I remember when we first started hanging out when we were kids and your dad had that little mini-stretch limo that he was sooooo proud of! It had all those toys inside. He would drive us around a lot like he was our chauffeur and I remember being really excited because I don't think there were seatbelts so we could bounce between the seats.
Then of course there was the time when we went with him to pass out those flyers and you got the "new cool tape" - you know which one that was...'allll that she wants is another baby. She's gone tomorrow boy.'
Rollerblading out front of your house and watching your dad mess with the "car of the week" since he would always have a new one out there. Actually Amy Lenz helped me remember about the hockey game he went to and everyone was sitting on the car...then when he went to go start it there was a huge puff of black smoke and he had us all run away.
Going to the mall to have some lunch with him when he worked in the men's suit department, or the mattress store.
Bart was such a great, fun-loving man. I'm so lucky to have been able to grow up around someone like that. I'll post more as it comes to me...it's been such a long time.
-Josh
John Irwin wrote:
ReplyDeleteBart was always so interested in what we were all up to. He was a rare guy who had a genuine interest in others.
I think some of the earliest memories I have of Bart were when he would come into our 1st grade class and play music for all of us. surfin' USA, and down by the bay where the watermelons grow were some favorites.
The 12 cars in 12 months period was pretty awesome too.
Then the days before Graham got his license and Bart would drive us to school. Down Garzota, across Seco and up the other side of Garzota with his on-the-gas, off-the-gas, on-the-gas, off-the-gas driving. Just another one of his quirks that made him who he is.
Graham and I just talked the other day about the time we recorded a song for an English project. Bart spent probably about 4 hours of his free time critiquing and helping us make it not just a quick recording by a couple of 17 year olds, but something that sounded pretty rad and we were pretty proud of.
He really was like another dad for a lot of us. I think that speaks volumes about genuine caring guy that he was.
Graham wrote:
ReplyDeletehaha - these are awesome, guys. you don't know how much this all means to me and my mom and sis. thank you...
Annie wrote:
ReplyDeletemy mind is full of memories of bart ... my very first memory ... one of those L.A. parties full of musician's, actors, writers, etc and it felt like a night of everyone talking about nothing, i was bored. i turned around and right there was this guy, cute, long curly hair, a smile that i had never seen before. i said something like ... you have to talk to me and bart said something like ok "but i have to go pee first". he went and when he came back we talked (bart probably did most of the talking) and talked and talked and i don't think from that moment until last sunday nite when his sweet spirit left me i was bored. he filled my life with beautiful noise, gentle to my ears and almost always kind and considerate. i am so sad i think i will be bored until i can be with you again!
Danny, dea61636@pacbell.net, wrote:
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, not too long ago I spoke to Bart for 15 minutes and I couldn't wait to speak to him again. We were talking about how people in an advanced society like to watch blood sports yet we both wanted to see the boxing match that was going on later that day.
To speak to someone for only 15 minutes and for me to look forward to speaking to them again speaks volumes about Bart's
intelligence and personality.
I am truly sorry for your loss. Bart was a pretty cool guy.
Sent from my iPhone,
- Danny
Where to start...
ReplyDeleteThe song "Louie Louie" pops into my head when I think of Bart! I have this memory of a bunch of people all sitting around in the living room while he lead us in signing this song...
I also remember Bart having Jodi and I record a bunch of music in the studio so that we could make music videos, you know, the kind where there are just pictures and only the mouths move. Ha!
The many cars that we all had the pleasure of riding in! We thought we were so cool getting to ride around in a LIMO!
Hiding behind a gas station with Jodi and Graham because we though that Bart's car was going to explode; he had to fill the car with gas while the engine was running because if he turned it off...it probably wouldn't have started up again.
The trip to Laughlin, talking about Joshua trees and his "Double Wide"!
Bart will truly be missed!
I can't wait to be there with you guys to celebrate the life of such an amazing person!!!
Amy
Oh my god Amy you just hit the nail on the head!!! that was my Dad... Always an adventure with him!! Crazy... but an adeventure! He always loved you.. you are like part of the family. Thank you for the memories :)
ReplyDeleteJohn Rose, host of the "Hidden Treasures Of Rock'n'Roll Show"--I never got to meet Bart, but I do feel like I knew him and it hurt to hear of his passing. I played his music on my show and he listened every week, and often called in when I played one of his songs and talked about the artist that preceded his song, or the artist that came after. I told him that as much as he enjoyed the show, he should write a theme song that I could play at the end of the show. Sure enough, Bart started working on it and came up with the "Hidden Treasures" song, that you hear at the end of every show. I also liked the new songs that he recently sent, and was really looking forward to a new CD. Bart may have left us, but his music lives on, and I will remember him every time that I play one of his songs. He was a fine artist and an even better human being. I will miss him.
ReplyDeleteTom Firme sent this to Bart's Brother, Rand:
ReplyDeleteHi Rand, We just want to express our sincerest sympathy for Bart's passing. We had become quite close with Bart over the past year and half through Myspace Music and BounceRadio and we had been corresponding quite a bit. Just want you to know that Bart was a great friend to us, so supportive of our music, and as you know he was so energetic and motivated with his new music , the Sid Bernstein tribute , and the internet radio involvement he loved. Bart's idealism was something rare these days, and the music he made harked back to a magical time in history, when changing the world seemed so important to our (then) young generation. We were almost exactly the same age, so we had so much in common. I (Tom) had just written back and forth with him Sunday about his music and the fact that he would be featured on John Rose's show
Monday again. I was working on promoting his music locally too, to set up an interview on Grand Rapids Community Radio WYCE . Rand, I really felt that Bart and Linda and me would get together musically soon. Right after his CD project was done. This has left a void in our lives here. We will miss Bart so. Sorry about the length of this note, I am here in Michigan with no one to talk this over with , just know that Bart was loved by both of us. Take care Rand, and love from us to you.
Tom Firme
The first time I visted Bart at his parent's house in Boise, 40 years ago almost to the month, he played Rand's "I sing a soft song" demo album for me. I put my head between the stereo speakers of the family's console record player as instructed while he gave me a play by play of the salient features in the music--like the conga drum bouncing from left to right and certain sound effects. He was so jazzed about it. His dream of making an album of original music was contageous and I was on board immediately. It was the beginning of a great adventure. Bart--thanks for making that dream come true!
ReplyDeleteI got the chance to meet Bart a few times in NYC, when I lived with Graham, and really appreciated his funny, laid-back vibe, especially in this serious, frenetic, and aggressive town. What I didn't then realize was how truly kind he was as well. This quality of Bart's redounded very much to my benefit after I moved (briefly) to Los Angeles. Just because I was a friend of Graham's, Bart hooked me up with an unbelievable deal on the nicest bed I've ever encountered in my life (we're talking 4-star hotel quality here). But because transportation wasn't part of the discount package, we had no way to get the mattress from Valencia down to my place in Culver City. So Bart single-handedly strapped the mattress to Graham's Toyota Tacoma (a nice truck but the mammoth queen-size pillow-top was a snug fit to say the least) and drove down to LA. I met him somewhere around the Hollywood Hills to watch the truck from behind, ready to warn him of any strap-snapping or mattress-slippage that might result in a 16-car pile-up. Thankfully, we made it to Culver City, bed-in-tow. For Bart to not just get me that deal but to go through such shenanigans to deliver it was just one of those unnecessarily nice selfless acts that too few people do but, for him, seemed just an everyday, "Why not?" sort of thing. Although my LA tenure did not last long, I made sure to ship the mattress here when I moved back East and continue to enjoy its comforts. On those occasions I get a good night's sleep, I very much owe it to Bart and his random act of kindness. I wish I'd known him better but I hope this fond, funny memory captures some element of who he was. To his family and friends, I am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteWay back, a very long time ago, in a sweet little town called Boise - I met a beautiful, dark haired, curly young man named Bart. I was only 14, Bart was maybe 16.
ReplyDeleteThis young man taught me a lot about music. At first, I didn't understand the PASSION that would take them to the place that his band called PROVIDENCE would go - but I followed them there. By coincidence, I also landed in California and was able to stay in touch for those pivital years. It was so meaningful to be able to keep those "small town" roots in a "big city" enviornment.
Oh, that group of musicians had a tremendous amount of exposure to the very peak of the trade. With the superior guidance of individuals like Mike Pinder showing them the ropes - Bart did not miss a que.
He was a very silly man. We would laugh and watch old movies and old TV shows - making parody of any and every song imaginable.
Always friends, and to this day in touch. I will miss you, Bart.
I learned everything about music from him - about opening my mouth and singing as loud as possible. To take the very essence of my heart and pouring it right out there - not afraid of what any one else would think of my candidness. (Is that a word?) We would talk for hours about this song or that song - most recently about Peter and Gordon. I can hear him singing the words to a wonderful song that takes me back to Boise and our youth.
To his family - You are so lucky! He was a wonderful music man. I will never forget him, and I know that you will not either.
Peace and Love,
Jan
Dear Annie,
ReplyDeleteWhat truly shocking news!
You are so correct. Those four years (1970-74) when Providence was in full-swing, composing, practicing, recording, & performing were potent in how we were shaped; in how we chose our life-direction; in how we became “family”.
I had known Bart as a teenager because his folks and mine attended the Unitarian Fellowship in Boise. When I was a senior in high school, Bart invited me to see him in the musical “Brigadoon”. Afterwards, as I went up to congratulate him, he said, “Hey. You play viola, right? Would you ever like to come and jam with my new band?” I had been raised in the “classical music” world, but the idea of improvising was intriguing, so I accepted the offer.
That first night, I met Bob and Andy, AND we recorded. My attempts at weaving through the simply chord progressions were SO BAD!!! But Bart was upbeat – and we got back together again… and again. Norm and Jean were so supportive (letting us rehearse at their home); and the songs began to appear. We allowed ourselves the freedom to explore all sorts of styles. Those early days opened a whole new world to me – a world of spontaneity, improvisation, and creativity – and I owe Bart the “tip of my hat” for having the inspiration for asking me along.
Another stroke of genius on Bart’s part was inviting my brother Tim, and later Jim Cockey, to join the band. Having a compliment of strings opened up the timbre of an orchestra and allowed us to delve into counterpoint – interwoven lines.
You probably know that we moved to Portland to “seek our fame and fortune”; that times were tough financially; and that we found work doing TV and Radio commercials with partial payment in free studio time. A demo of our work was given (I think by Bart) to the Moody Blues after a concert they had given in Portland. From that came the recording contract. More “thanks” due to Bart for having the gumption to approach them.
From homes in Boise, to Portland, back to Boise, to Hollywood, to San Francisco (Martinez), back to Portland, and up to Seattle – we all lived together; worked together, and grew up together. Which is a nice euphemism for: we didn’t always get along!!! LOL But we worked through the rough patches, smoothed our feathers, and wrote new songs.
I look back on those four years with warmth and nostalgia, not that I’d want to live them over again, but that they were (with the help of my musical brothers) a defining moment in my life.
Annie - you and I have never met, and the last time I saw Bart must have been somewhere around 1975!!! but my heart goes out to you.
Love,
Tom
Lee Berman commented:
ReplyDelete"this guy was truly one of the best, and will be sorely missed!"
Though I have only known Bartholomew for a very short time, He has touched my life in a beautiful way. Always full of optimism, encouragement and insight. We shared wonderful stories, laughs and most importantly music. Bart as we know was a prolific songwriter, always sharing and pushing for the hope of peace. As my wife and I read of this sad news Melanie's Lay Down was playing on the Hi Fi and of course we could not help but shed a tear.
ReplyDeletePeace be with You Brother Bart.
We will miss you,
John and Franziska Idan
My name is Janet. I had a customer earlier this evening; we name dropped, and that is when I heard the sad news about Bart. I've sold real estate, mattresses, furniture, luggage, crystal and now, cars.....however, I doubt if I'd be in sales at all, if it were not for Bart. I met Bart in 2003 while working as a vendor for Waterford Crystal at Robinsons-May. He offered me a job selling mattresses. I LOVED working with Bart. He made me fall in love with SALES. He was entertaining, energetic, helpful, positive, insightful, smart and fun. Plus, he told stories, he listened, he shared his savvy sales techniques, he loved music and he made my job one of the most enjoyable jobs I ever had. I will never forget Bart Bishop.
ReplyDeleteJanet Nassau
I remember your kind smile and gentle words...I "remember that we have love"
ReplyDeleteDecember 06, 2009
ReplyDeleteI went to high school with Bart and last saw him at Farragut State Park in the summer of '71 where Providence played. I see him always in his balck leather jacket a certain smoldering James Dean-like mien with a purposeful gait. "If you're going where Im going/there'll be no need to say goodbye".
~ Tom Munson, Boise, Idaho |
December 05, 2009
ReplyDeleteGod speed your ship a-sailing
To your destination - fly!
~ Jim Reynolds, Boise, Idaho
December 04, 2009
ReplyDeleteI never knew Bart but his father picked me up hitchhiking to bogus basin once. We listened to Providence on the way up the ski hill. Norm was so proud to share his sons music with me and I was proud to have received it. Rest peacefully Bart. Your music was absolutely wonderful!
~ Tim Latta, Eagle, Idaho
Hi Graham:
ReplyDeleteWow, I don't know where to start. I just happened to google Bart's name to find out what he's been up to lately and discovered that he had passed. To say that I am in shock would be an understatement. I was in the process of putting a website together to accompany the release of my new album, collecting various stories from the past, and I realized that your dad had played a major role in nearly every crucial stage of my career.
It was early 1975 and I had just fallen in love with the album Blue Jays. A friend and fellow Moody Blues fan had told me that the string players from that album had previously recorded an album on Threshold called Ever Sense the Dawn. I had to have it. The next day we literally drove all over LA (from Santa Monica to Hollywood to Burbank) and spent nearly 10 hours going from record store to record store trying to find the album. We eventually found a copy - and it quickly became one of my favorite albums. I was mesmorized by Bart's sensitive songwriting and that hypnotic voice. In fact, it was those two albums that inspired me to try my hand in the music business. Bartholomew Bishop together with Justin Hayward had become my idols.
I began recording my first album in 1981 at a small studio in North Hollywood. Sitting behind the desk on a shelf in the studio office were master tapes labeled Providence with titles like Idaho Sunset and Dawnbreaker scribbled on the side of the box. I had always assumed that the members of Providence were from England - so what would their tapes be doing here in southern California. This must be some other band with the same name, I thought. A few days later in walks Bart into the studio while we are in session. My jaw nearly hits the floor. I probably made an idiot out of myself as I was being introduced to him. Nevertheless, we struck up a friendship that would last for many years. Bart actually ended up singing on one of the tracks on the album to my utter delight.
(end of part one)
I was working in the film industry at the time and MTV was about to explode. Bart suggested we form a music video production company together, and we did called Revolving Window. Bart would be the producer and I would be the director. I remember making endless trips up to your house in the Hollywood Hills. You and Jodi were quite young and I'm not sure if you remember me. I always remember the care and love he showed to you. My favorite memeories were of him playing various Providence songs on the auto-harp just for me.
ReplyDeleteBart lined up our first gig with the legendary 3 Dog Night. If I remember correctly, Bart said you and Danny Hutton's son went to the same school which is how the whole thing came about. We shot the video on the Fantasy Island set in Glendale which is the same exact location where the band photo on the back of the Providence album was taken. That video put us in contact with Jerry Weintraub's Management Three who were managing 3 Dog Night at the time. In fact portions of the video were shot in Jerry's office as well as at your house. The video became significant for the fact that it was the very last time the 3 primary members of 3 Dog Night would appear together (Chuck Negron was booted from the band shortly after the video was released). I recently met up with 3 Dog Night again backstage and gave them all DVD copies of the video which none of them had. They were thrilled to get it. Danny and I even talked about your dad briefly, although Danny's memory was rather hazy.
Additional gigs were hard to come by so Bart ended up working as an assistant cameraman on some of the documentaries that I was directing. Soon after, Bart graciously introduced me to brother Rand since I was itching to get back into music again. Bart had located a guy named Chris Lloyds, a wonderful singer from Australia, and put the two of us together. We formed a duo called Plan B and began recording at Pasha studios with Rand producing. We finished the album, this was in 1986, but Spencer Proffer declined to put it out.
Shortly after that I got married. Both Rand and your dad and all of you were there at the wedding and brother Greg provided the classical music. It was truly magical.
We sort of drifted apart after that but talked occasionally by phone. I'd always dreamed we could record a Providence-like project together, but it wasn't to be.
Sincerely;
David Minasian