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8 years ago

Hiram was playing with David Sanborn in 1977 when I met him in Pittsburgh, PA. At the time I was in college and living with a diverse group of people in a commune in the city. One of my roommates was a CMU musical piano/saxophone prodigy who was a good friend of Hiram. Hiram came over before his gig at the Leona Theatre one afternoon and I was playing chess with several buddies. Hiram sat and watched a game or so and then we played several games. He gave me tickets to the show that night and following the show he came back over and we played chess well into the early hours of the next morning. He was an amazing fellow; intelligent, competitive, friendly, compassionate, and a tremendous talent. I saw played chess with him on several other occasions when he stopped in Pittsburgh until we lost touch sometime in the early 80's and I didn't realize that he had passed on until several years after his death. Those were some good time way back then and I often listen to his music and reminiscence. He is gone but certainly not forgotten; I considered him a friend.

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Alex Reitzmann
11 years ago

I first saw Hiram Bullock during my first trip to NYC in May 87. He was to play in a small club of upper West Side, with Darryl Jones, Mitch Forman and Charley Drayton. We had to wait 2 hours past the scheduled beginning (they must have been working in studio), but when they finally came, they rocked the house, one of the best gig i've ever seen, everybody went crazy in the audience, as they played more than 2h30 hours... Later i played Window Shoppin and Cactus on the french Riviera with a friend, and From All Sides has stayed for more than 10 years in my car... one of the 10 records of my life... Thanks for All, Hiram...

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Frode Barth
11 years ago

I went to music collage in the 80's and had heard that David Sanborn would come to Oslo, the city I lived in. I saved up the money for the ticket and went with a good friend. Already in the first song, I got a tremendous kick due Hiram Bullocks guitar. He lay down and played "Blue Monk" with one hand and ran out into the hall and played the guitar solo as I had never before heard or seen. As a guitar student, it was a great inspiration. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqFrl7B7yuY Personally, I like what he did early in his career best. Rest in peace, dear musician colleague

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11 years ago

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Robert Ghini
11 years ago

un de mes plus beaux souvenirs de concert à Nice France, il me reste tes disques et ma Cort Signature Robert

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Good Humor Party
12 years ago

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Alexander
12 years ago

фрагмент TV прграммы "Апология" 11.12.2002

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Chuck Swierczynski
12 years ago

Mike Levine is a great pianist and keyboard player out of Miami. In the fall of 1981 he and reeds man Billy Ross were finishing up the second Ross-Levine Band album at a small studio in Coral Gables. The band had a great lineup including Jeff Carswell on bass and Steve Rucker (now head of the University of Miami percussion department) on drums but no permanent guitar player. I was working at said studio as the assistant engineer, my first job out of college, when one day Mike announced.that Hiram Bullock would be coming down from New York to lay down the guitar tracks! Mike and Hiram were friends and classmates at the U of M in the glory days of the early 70's when Metheny, Jaco, et. al. were beginning to change the face of jazz as we knew it. All of us at the studio were thrilled. Though he had yet to land the Letterman gig, we all knew of him from his session work with artists like Steely Dan and Billy Joel. I can't overstate what a generous act of friendship this was on Hiram's part. The studio bought his round-trip plane ticket and the rental of a Ford Escort for a week but as far as I know he received no pay at all for the sessions. This for a man who probably got double or triple scale in New York at the time. And yes, I said a week. He was at the studio three or four hours a day playing on every track of the album. Though we had a good sounding room this was kind of a low budget studio. We didn't even have a guitar amp for Hiram to plug into when he showed up with his original Frankenstein guitar with the humbucker between the single coils and his digital delay. We did have an old Fender Bassman; Tony the engineer rolled it into the half-finished lobby, stuck a Sennheiser 421 in front of it, ran a long guitar cable under the control room door and we rolled tape while Hiram sat behind the board and wailed. The Bassman actually gave the tracks a warm, mellow sound that complimented Hiram's playing quite well. Of course as you might have guessed, Hiram didn't only put down beautiful parts but he showed himself to be a beautiful person too. He was always happy and cheerful, always willing to do one more take, always giving each pass his all. I remember one time he was screaming a solo on the most rock and roll track on the record when he leaned too far back in the office chair, the chair slid out from under him and he fell flat on his back on the control room floor but kept on playing without missing a note! We kept that track on the record. In between takes Hiram would talk about his experiences in music, living in New York, sports, current events, just about everything. He struck me as an especially intelligent, well spoken and well rounded individual as well as an awesome musician. He treated everyone with respect and consideration and was a good listener, both to music and to people. Before leaving town he threw a party at a friend's house and invited everyone to come. It was a great ending to an unforgettable week. Fifteen years later when I first got on the internet I came across Hiram's web site and the "Bullockian Lounge", his chat room. Not expecting a reply, I sent him a message with recollections of those sessions. He responded warmly, said he remembered me and that he had a lot of fun that week in Miami. Once again I was touched by his love and humanity. I'm sorry to say I hadn't been following his career lately, When I googled his name last week to see what he'd been up to and found out he had passed on I felt like I'd lost an old friend. It was nice to read all the good memories so many people have of Hiram. His spirit will surely live on in our hearts and in his great recordings.

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Liz
12 years ago

Chuck, I can't believe I found this! This is Liz. I was with Hiram that week in Miami. Hiram and I had met a couple of months before, but this was our first trip together so it was very memorable for me. I have many photos of that week. And "Green Tuna" was one of my favorite albums Hiram played on. I still have the original cassette of it (though I recently digitized it as I liked it so much). Whatever happened to it? Was it ever released? Anyway, Hiram and I were married a year or so after that and often spoke of that trip to Miami. We remembered it fondly. (And OMG I do remember him falling backwards off the chair!) We were married for a few years, but remained friends for life. Nice to share good memories....

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Carol Mitchell
12 years ago

November 1988, Hiram was on bill with Hiroshima...Hiram tore the house down. So BEAUTIFUL he played as he and his guitar are one. Moved me to tears..We will always love you King !!!

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Dave Lowrey
13 years ago

Monday, August 04, 2008 Hiram Bullock...Rest In Peace Category: Life My Memories of Hiram... How he touched one life... I was a 13 year young Bass Player when I came across a Band at "Parkville Teen Center" in Baltimore, Maryland called "Cabbage" with a New Bass Player....it was HIRAM! He was the most cool Bassist I had ever seen and heard! After they were done playing I asked the Bass Player (Hiram) if I could play his Bass (like I always did back then.) He invited me onstage...handed me his Gibson Bass...an EB-0 or and EB-3... Then he had one of those Faux Leather curved packs with Wine in it and offered me a drink ( I think I turned it down...) A year or so later....Hiram was the Lead Guitarist in a Baltimore Band that my friends Father...Roy Gunther, managed. The Band was called "FELIX" and they were amazing. Especially with Hiram on lead guitar. I had never heard that style of Jazz Fusion Guitar yet...even though this was in the early 70's. One day he and the Rhythm Guitarist popped in the house from the rehearsal garage to put on "Layla" so that they could pick up some more details of it. Later, Hiram had gone to the University Of Miami and had become even more of a Monster...I didn't know this until I saw him with David Sanborn. During one of Hiram's solo Guitar spots where he walked all over the Arena via his Wireless...In a Quiet Moment I Yelled Out... "CABBAGE!!!" He paused and looked down at me and said for all to hear... "YOU GO WAY BACK!" We met up after the show and he gave me his contact info. I sent him a demo of my Bass Playing and he called me on my 30th Birthday and said "Dave...it's Hiram....the Tape sounds Great...You Can Play!!!" Most people just blow you off and never even check out your tape or give you any encouragement... "Hiram Did!!!" Nobody plays, sings, and yes...Danced like Hiram. I miss him being with us in this life! God Bless You Hiram! Sincerely, Dave Lowrey Read more: http://www.myspace.com/drbassface/blog/421056388#ixzz133qHI6hx

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M.E.L.
13 years ago

I remember Hiram as a big part of the NY fusion (I hate the word, too) guitar scene of the early '80's and when he would drop in at the UM campus in Miami. He could plug-in to a P-O-S set up and make it sound phenomenal. The man personified music. Loved to watch him play.

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Bryan Beller
13 years ago

I met Hiram's sister at a show I did in North Carolina and it reminded me how stunned I was when I first heard this news. I had no idea - 53 is way too young. All we can do is carry on the spirit of the music you left us with our own. So that's what I'm gonna do. May peace be with you, Hiram. -Bryan Beller

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9 years ago

Having worked as a roadie for nearly thirty years I had the priviledge to be on tour with the great Hiram Bullock twice. The first time, shortly after the release of "nothing like the sun", with a band called "Bush Rock" also featuring Delmar Brown. We played mostly very small clubs and outdoor summer gardens. One night one of the monitor amplifiers broke down and being the sound engineer I asked them a couple of minutes to rearrange the connections and bridge a working amp to make all monitors to work. Hiram said "no problem I'll play a song I don't need non monitor for", so while the other guys took a short break at the bar, he proceeded to stand on top of his Mesa-Boogie and played "Everybody wants to know why I sing the blues" for eight minutes. I was so enraptured listening to him I could hardly work at the wiring ! I once told him the Little wings solo in Sting's record was my favourite ever (and I meant it !), and he stood up and crossed the room to shake my hand warmly for minutes ! The second tour, in 1995, was a U.S.O. set that took us to several USAF bases around Europe, with the great late Steve Logan on bass. I forget the name of the drummer, but the three of them were really incredible. Hiram played "the human juke-box", revising ANY song upon request, and the show would go on forever until someone chucked us out of the place or cut the power off. None of the crew ever complained, though, we always had fun watching the shows. I remember him singing "I want a big burrito" in a cramped officers club hall, and a kid bringing in a heap of those for us all, and the show stopped until we had chewed our snacks while chatting and joking with the audience. Every day, at arriving on site, he would rush to sling his guitar strap across his shoulders before struggling to take off his leather jacket, and plugging in the jacks into his effects pedals at the same time as well as keeping the stage guys at large from helping him whit that mess. It was a small hilarious show for us all only, and a big laugh every time. There never was a proper sound-check, the three of them just started to play anything would pass through their minds, furiously, until somebody would call the time for opening gates. I keep fond memories of those days and the rough travelling with military transports, the lousy sandwiches and cold pizzas we ate and all the backstage and dressing room jokes we shared, and it's so very sad that both Hiram and Steve have left this world.

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lestatar
13 years ago

Terrible, but I had no idea until now that Hiram had passed. I had all 5 of his first releases and loved his style and guitar "voice", but ended up overlooking him somehow in the intervening years. RIP Hiram - you will be missed.

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Eldridge
13 years ago

Hiram was such an immense talent and left us far too soon. There was no one like him. His playing AND his overall approach to the instrument were completely original. Hiram's recordings have amazed me time and time again since I first heard his playing over 25 years ago. The quickness of mind, inventiveness, harmonic sophistication, surprises at every turn, emotion, and of course, his incredible sense of humor & showmanship. A true master and one of the greatest artists of all time on the guitar. All of us who knew Hiram in one way or another were so lucky to have shared this world with him.

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Stevo
13 years ago

I bought a USB turntable last night and transferred "Say Goodnight, Gracie" and "Cactus" from vinyl to mp3 format. I heard the latter song twice and was blown away by how great it still sounded...so I wake up and search Google - and find Mr. Bullock passed away two years ago?! Unreal...and so sad. Your music lives on... RIP

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paul yacobellis
13 years ago

Hiram was one of the most fun performers I have ever had the pleasure of listening to live. He always delivered!!....

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Maximus
13 years ago

I saw you a couple of times, including live at the American Music Hall in SF back in the 80s. You totally ripped our faces off... you were awesomely musical and energetic and soulful. Even now.... like tonight listening to Cactus from the "From All Sides" album I'm blown away by your musicality and tasteful soloing. Rest in peace dude. You're already missed.

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Maximus
13 years ago

I saw you a couple of times, including live at the American Music Hall in SF back in the 80s. You totally ripped our faces off... you were awesomely musical and energetic and soulful. Even now.... like tonight listening to Cactus from the "From All Sides" album I'm blown away by your musicality and tasteful soloing. Rest in peace dude. You're already missed.

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Kevin S.
13 years ago

I just found out you passedaway and it's been almost two years. I became a fan of your when i saw you at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, Ca back in the 80's with David Sanborn. You were jamming, as alway, i did'nt know whom you were at the time. The band walked off stage to let you solo, u stole the show. You laid down on the stage and was literally playing with one hand, playing some like rag time music and then you got up and broke into Purple Haze. You were the man. I went to see you whenever i could after that. You will be missed. God bless you and rest in peace.

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Frank
13 years ago

RIP Hiram...

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Donna S.
13 years ago

I just find out of Hiram's passing. When I meet HiramI had no idea who he was. I just thought he was a nice a guy. I feel very fortunate to have meet him.

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Mondhavi
14 years ago

3 times I went to see the Letterman Show in the 80s, only the first time was Hiram there with the original quartet, and I remember him as the star of the band. His solos dominated the songs, he played with such commanding presence and sense of fun that it was contagious, you couldn't take your eyes off him. Barefoot, leaning back on a stool, big smile on his face, it was his show. Up until that day I had not realized how good he was, on TV, you just couldn't hear it. After that, I never forgot him.

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Dear Hiram, I was shocked to read that the last MIke Stern cd was dedicated in memory of you. So that's how I found out that you passed away. I've seen you many times. First as a young tall and slim man together with David Sanborn at North Sea Jazz - always great to see and hear you. Playing your guitar solo in de middele of the audience. Later with your own band in 016 in Tilburg for only a handful of audience. You played for more then two hours and said to us: 'Now you're as important as we are. Let's enjoy it.' Then some years later in de Boerderij in Zoetermeer - you were a little bit heavier at the time but still playing great and always friendly to and having fun with the audience. I remember you saying 'Okidoki' many times. I will miss you. God bless you, Hiram.

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Robert J Reinders
14 years ago

Peter, ik kwam er net pas achter. I am awfully shocked. Just found out Hiram past away. RIP Hiram. Robert Jay

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D. Scott Hampton
14 years ago

I just organized my vinyl record collection, and decided to listen to Hiram's first three albums. That led me to see what I could find of him on You Tube. I was shocked to see that he passed. I've been a fan of his ever since I saw him in Letterman's band with Steve Jordan and Will Lee many years ago. His performances on Night Music will never be forgotten. Great player. Passionate player. Thank you for your music. Rest well at the right hand of the Lord.

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glenn
14 years ago

Dear Hiram, i had a strange dream, but now i have got the answer. thank you so much for especially all the passion you have given into music, and the inspiration to us!! RIP...please go to the light, into the kingdom of God. glenn

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mike keels
14 years ago

Saw him in Nashville with Sanborn ,met him played some hoops backstage he was a great spirited person,he will be missed RIP.

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stan samole
14 years ago

Here's Stan Samole, you were my student? I don't think so. It was the other way around. Miss you big time.

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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14 years ago

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14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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14 years ago

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14 years ago

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Lev Rybalkin
14 years ago

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Mike Zandoka
14 years ago

Damn, I just found out today that Hiram has passed - And it was last year !!?? I seen him a few months before in Amsterdam wth Randy Brecker, Tom Barney and Rodney Holmes....I will alwya sremember this amazing fellow. I hve ejoyed many live perfomances and can only say goodbye with a smile and a loud YEOOW - listening to 'bean burrito'.......RIP Hiram

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Mike Zandoka
14 years ago

Damn, I just found out today that Hiram has passed - And it was last year !!?? I seen him a few months before in Amsterdam wth Randy Brecker, Tom Barney and Rodney Holmes....I will alwya sremember this amazing fellow. I hve ejoyed many live perfomances and can only say goodbye with a smile and a loud YEOOW - listening to 'bean burrito'.......RIP Hiram

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Fahrad Jauz
14 years ago

Wow. I'm speechless. I'm just finding out about his passing. Hiram has definitely influenced my style, listening and playing. Wow. I first saw him playing with David Sanborn and have been hooked since.... RIP

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