GREG MICHAEL GILL
SEPTEMBER 19, 1956 - OCTOBER 25, 2004
Greg Gill was a self-taught guitar player who was influenced by everything from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin to Bach. He was a true musical genius, an amazing guitar player and composer and was admired more than he ever knew, by other musicians. He went unheard thoughout the '80's. As heard on these songs, recorded between 1981-87, the Rock 'n Roll he wrote, sang, played and recorded is timeless. He died of natural causes at the age of 48
Greg played guitar in many So. California bands, Holland, The Rage. Buster, Wiseguy and Laura Molina's band, "The People's Party". here in Los Angeles and in Portland, Oregon. Greg was the writer of "Die Laughing", performed by the all girl band, Tiger Lily on Rhino Records' 1984 release,"The Girls Can't Help it". and "Dirty Magazines", performed by the late
Sandy West of The Runaways while Greg (AKA Greg Michaels) was lead guitarist for The Sandy West Band in the mid '80s.
In the '90's, Greg engineered many voice-overs for animated TV shows and video games, working with many well known character voices.
You can hear more of Greg's Music on a 15 song MP3 player on his home page www.greggill.com
There are now several videos of Greg performing with Sandy West on YouTube
Courtesy of Sandy West band member, Paul Hone.
You were my silver, You were my gold You were all the things that can't be told You were my star falling through the night Your were the one who showed me grand delight I can't see you but I need you and your gone You were my right hand, you were my friend You were always strong until the end You're the one that always set the stage you're what I once knew, now I miss you 'cause your gone Now I spend my lonely nights wishing you were here to make things rightTo turn my darkness into light You were my party, You were my tea, You're the one who had some faith in me "Silver" by Ric Ocasek for Benjamin Orr, 2005
GREG, I MISS YOU SO MUCH !!! BUT WE WILL ALWAYS, BE THE LADS EH ? I STILL HAVE A BRUSE ON MY ARM FROM, ZEPPELIN AT LONG BEACH, FROM YOU !! I LOVE YA BRO, SEE YA ON THE OTHER SIDE DONNY SIMMONS
GREG you were and are a TALENT that for some reason GOD took you back home, I wish you and SANDY were still here....we could have done it all again...and More this Time!!! PAUL HONE SWB
Greg Gill
Thanks for all of your support and for being a friend. This was our picture taken after we performed on the Playboy morning Show. Dont be a stranger! from the best girl rock group in the world.....Dragstrip Kitty
The Sandy West Band are playing a tribute @ The Knitting Factory tonight - I know it's gonna be an electric atmosphere, and particularly charged for all those performing. Raise the roof for Sandy (and Greg) They are together again in another place!!
TO ALL THOSE GOING TONIGHT...
Tonight's the big one - Sandy West sadly left this earth 6 weeks ago. Her family have held a private ceremony to be allowed to grieve for the immeasureable loss they have suffered, and tonight we celebrate the life of one of Rock's most loved and admired drummers.
May I just extend my thanks for the support you have shown Sandy and the Pesavento family these past weeks through Cherie's page, Jake's page and TheRunaways.com page (as well as my own small tribute). At times I have been incredibly moved reading the heartfelt and sometimes emotionally charged comments and messages you have left. You have proved beyond doubt that Sandy West was truly loved and will be forever missed.
To all those who are going to the Memorial Tribute Concert tonight, you are blessed to be able to share this moment with Sandy's friends and family as well as her contemporaries in the music world.
It is with deep regret that the one thing I am not able to do is be there in person. I have made some close friends on MySpace and many more who have told me they will be at The Knitting Factory tonight, but I am a serving firefighter in the UK and I could not get leave at this time to come over and be with you all. I will be on night duty while the concert is going on, but Sandy West and her fans will be in my thoughts.
Enjoy yourselves. This is a celebration of a life taken too soon. Be at peace Sandy.
Hi... and thanks for your comments. I have to confess that, whilst I knew of Greg from the Sandy West Band days, I wasn't aware that he too had passed on. My condolences. He can be seen performing on several videos that I've pasted on Sandy's page which were originally placed on YouTube by fellow band member Paul Hone. Mark.
Please check out the music of my idol, guitar teacher, bandmate and friend. He is gone but will never be forgotten by those who knew him or those who hear him.
