Condolence: RAPIV was a good friend for a time in Detroit when we worked together at 'RIF and for subsequent years when I was at Columbia Records and would get to see him on occasion in the Village on my visits to NYC. I have been thinking about him recently as this new CREEM documentary has been released and searched on his name tonight only to find he had passed two years ago. My heart is still and very sad. We knew each other very well for a time, an important time for me and I got the brilliance of this man. His mind, his spirit, his talent and his company. One of the great memories of my life was Thanksgiving Day 1974 when Richard phoned to see what I was doing for Thanksgiving meal that day. The answer was nothing. My family had moved out of state and I had to wrk. I was resigned to a peaceful, quiet meal by myself. He would have none of it. You're coming to my family's house. I was grateful but declined. He would hear none of it...so I I came to one of the most memorable days of my life with the multiple generations of the Pinkston family> It was grand! I never forgot the love I felt and warmth that was shared. I think of you all every Thanksgiving Day and hope life and God has been good to all. I know that you already know how special this man is. He was a big man in my life for a time and for always. With love, Jim McKeon.

Condolence: REST IN PEACE, RICHARD PINKSTON (RICK ALLEN)

For those of you from the NYC scene, in the 70s, and maybe the early 80s, some of you may have known him as "Richard Pinkston."

Many of you from the Phila area may be familiar with him, as "Rick Allen."

Eileen and I met Rick when he was 21, a new arrival in Greenwich Village. We met at an open mike event in a loft overlooking Bleecker Street. Eileen and I were 24.

Now, it sounds like a scene in a screenplay...

He turned us on to Willie Nelson's RED-HEADED STRANGER LP, Jimmy Buffett's early stuff, and ruby red grapefruit juice! 😉

He sang beautifully and accompanied himself on his lovely, beloved Mossman dreadnaught guitar.

His stage performance was buoyant and fun.

So was his friendship.

Back then, he never told us that he was also the "Richard A. Pinkston," who had written for CREEM magazine.

We moved to California, and stayed in touch... through the succession of phone numbers that were on his index card.

Around the early '80s, the last of those numbers didn't connect us. We lost track of Richard.

And we continued to be moving targets across North America. It was no easier for Richard to find us.

We didn't know that he'd moved to the Philadelphia area (our original turfs). Nor did we know that he had reduced his name to a nickname of his first name; and converted his middle name into his new last name ... Hence, "Rick Allen."

We didn't know that he had been a rock DJ for years on WYSP. Mutual friend, Jefferson Berry, says: "He was the most interesting late night DJ ever."

We didn't know that he also performed with his band, "Rick Allen and the Upsetters," in the U.S. and Europe.

Meanwhile, to Eileen and me, the words "Richard Pinkston" represented the wonderful, talented guy with whom we hung, in our 20s.

We loved him, and missed him.

Whenever I would have an airline layover in Detroit, I would go to a payphone, with a pocket full of dimes. I'd scan the phone book for random Pinkstons. I'd call, hoping to find a family member.

No luck.

Once I had web access, I continued the search throughout the US, with negative results.

I did have a lovely conversation with a Mrs Richard Pinkston, south of Detroit. I told her that I was looking for my friend, "Richard Pinkston," who had been a singer-songwriter in NY's Greenwich Village.

That Mrs Pinkston responded, "Ohhhh! It sounds like YOUR 'Richard Pinkston' is the guy, MY 'Richard Pinkston'
always wanted to be!" 😉

On January 3rd, 2004, our phone rang. I answered. I heard that lovely voice say, "Hugh! This is Richard Pinkston!" (I have chills right now, typing this...)

He explained that his nephew, also a "Richard Pinkston," had found evidence of our quest to find him, online.

He heard the joy in our voices! It was a dream come true!

I visited him a few times in Doylestown, over the next 4 years. I was honored to meet his lovely Diane.

We love Diane, for her love of him.

The last time I saw him, we enjoyed the visit to his home of a young, intelligent presidential campaign worker, who was trying to persuade us to vote for Sen. Obama. Rick was both charming to and demanding of her.

For 5 years, we'd talk on the phone about a seemingly endless stream of topics.

Then, the frequency of contact dribbled down ...

Now, he lives on in our hearts! I am confident that he's jamming with a few other mutual friends, up in Heaven.

And our appreciation of Diane will never end!

Hugh

Condolence: God bless you Richard, rest in peace

Condolence: Uncle Richard - I Miss You so much already !