OMG, I just found out about Hiram's passing. Truly, the music world is diminished... I had the pleasure of seeing him perform live in Sacramento with David Sanborn ('Chicago Song' had just been released). Wonderful show; the whole band was absolutely brilliant that evening. And Hiram... well, let's just say that he was on another level entirely! Thank you, Hiram, for your gift of music during your all-too-short stay on this plane of existence. God Bless...

I first tuned in to Hiram when he was with Miles Davis band in a tiny club in Hollywood. After that moment I made it a point to see him whenever he came to town, be it with David Sanborn, Marcus Miller or own his own. I know there's got to be a serious jam session going on in heaven. God bless you, Hiram.

Angelina, color me, try livin'it, your are a star Hiram, my star.... Hiram was surrounded by the finest musicians such as Dave Delhomme fantastic pianist and bassist Will Lee, Nick from Swiss

So sad to learn of Hiram's passing. Though time has fuzzed some of the details, I remember seeing Hiram at the Brecker Bros. nightclub in Greenwich Village in the early '80s. Perhaps I have my chronology wrong here but I believe I was aware of him at the time due to his playing on David Sanborn's solo album(s). Anywway the club was not the best space for live acts, drinks and food but they made the best of it. It was triangular with two floors (the bandstand was upstairs) and the bar and kitchen were downstairs. There were two very narrow staircases--one at each end of the space. I remember Hiram, with a wireless transmitter clipped to the back of his belt, taking a long solo and disappearing down one set of stairs--still soloing--and then, in a minute of two, appearing at the other end of the room, climbing up the other staircase. It was magical, very funny, and really cool. Like Hiram.

So sad to lose someone as uniquely talented as Hiram. I remember listening to him constantly once I'd first heard him. I was amazed to hear someone play exactly what my ears were craving! I was into Jimi Hendrix and starting to get into jazz at the time, so when I found this guy who was playing the best of both these worlds, I was totally in love! I saw him twice live, and really was impressed by how he really 'PERFORMED': Something that is often missing in the 'intelectual' world of jazz. Although his presence and antics were so engaging, he didn't use it to compensate for lack of musicality at all! Whenever listening to him, I am always struck by how truly musical his playing is, I have never heard anything that didn't make me think "oh yeah, Hiram!". That and the fun that his music radiates really have inspired me to a huge degree. I will miss him, but I think he is still very much alive in the legacy he left behind. Ben

Never met the man! Never saw him Play! But his music moved me to always want to pick up my guitar and play along with his CDs. I'll keep your memory alive and keep on jamming with ya Hiram!!! Thanks for the Music, you'll be sadly missed!!! : (

I saw Hiram once in Kiel, Germany during the early Eighties. I came to see Sanborn, but after the concert I knew I came to see Hiram. His great personality and contagious smile paired with an incredible guitar I will never forget!

Edward

15 years ago

YOUR FAMILY MUST BE STRONG ALWAYS REMEMBER GOD LOVES YOU

Edward

15 years ago

YOUR FAMILY MUST BE STRONG ALWAYS REMEMBER GOD LOVES YOU

Although I have many of his albums/CDs I only saw him perform on two occasions; once in London and later at the Tokyo Bluenote venue in around 2000 or 2001 when he made an appearance as a guest of Marcus Miller. Strangely, at the Bluenote, although he was his amazing self I did have a feeling that something was wrong but that he had overcome whatever problem it was. Just sixth sense or something. Anyway, his music lives on and on and for that we must be deeply grateful.

I was looking for Hiram sister Jackie who was a friend of my mum Valérie Martin and as I went deeper in my research I finished here... I don't know what to say but I'm very sorry for your family All my best Céline

I have a few but this one stands out. My wife and I saw the Gil Evans Orch. at Sweet Basil NYC sometime in the early 90's w/Hiram on guitar. We had a table right up front and it happened to be right in front of Hiram. Sometime through the set a waitress brings a cheeseburger and fries--for Hiram! He asked if we minded his burger on our table and of course we didn't mind. While wailing away he would reach over and take a huge bite with his right hand while continuing to hammer with his left hand and never missing a lick then putting the burger back until it was gone. But the topper is then at some point he grabbed a French fry and began to use it as a pick! What a *(&^%$ riot! I am so saddened to hear of Hiram's passing and how did I not find out until a few days ago? Wow, what a sweet guy and a sweet musician. Jam on Hiram Rich and Lori

I just learned about Hiram's death via the home page and can't believe it went by a year ago and I didn't hear about it before this. I somehow stumbled across the album 'Way Kool' years ago and instantly loved it. Just listening to it again today. The guy is still giving me shivers and bringing me happiness listening to his music. What a gift... thank you Hiram!!

Wow, just heard the news. I first met Hiram back when he was 15 or so at a local "coffee house" that had live music. He wore sandals then. We became instant friends and had great times. He was always fun to be with. Hanging out at his Mom's house (she was an awesome cook) while Hiram just jammed on the piano are amongst my fondest memories. I can't count the number of jam sessions I was at while Hiram and my brother Frank were starting the band Gabriel. Lost touch with him after he left for NY. So sorry his spirit has move on. His laugh was the best. David Schwartz

Hi I'm Beto from Brazil. Inconfundível, maravilhoso . Deus te abençoe

Memories of NYC - 7 ave south, meeting up with JP, B Brothers, DS and HB with my good friend Suzanne. Suzie - if your still out there - and you come across this - Please get in touch. HB - RIP You will be missed

I was always a HUGGGGE Hiram fan, ever since high school I started listening to his music, I definitely had an emotional connection to it, being a guitarist and musician myself. Hiram to me was the greatest guitarist that ever lived, full of so much energy, joy, and raw human emotion. I will continue to listen to his beautiful music and always remember him...

I was very shocked and sad to hear of Hiram's passing back in the summer, but didn't find this tribute site until now. Hiram performed in Israel a few times, and I caught at least three of his shows. He was always a great, professional, sensitive and amazing performer, but beyond that, he was also a warm person, he touched the audience (and me) deep down, he made us laugh, he made us feel good. He seemed to take everything in stride and always come out on top, and of course, he was a hot guitarist with a very large variety of sounds and licks. Goodbye Hiram, so sad to see you go when you were at the top of your game and in the prime of life. I bet you've got those angels humming your tunes or rolling in laughter...

J'ai fait connaissance avec Hiram à travers certains artistes avec lesquels il avait joué notamment Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, Sting, Carla Bley... J'ai eu le plaisir de le voir un fois lors d'un concert de Marcus Miller dans le sud de la France. J'ai toujours apprécié son formidable jeu et son aptitude à jouer differents styles N'ayant pas eu la chance de le connaitre personnellement, je garderai son souvenir à travers ses merveilleux albums. Il aurait pu faire encore tellement de belles choses. Toutes mes condoleances à sa famille et ses proches Patrick, from France

Grande chitarrista un ricordo in fiera a francoforte

Hiram's grandfather and mine were brothers. I am so glad I got to meet him. His emails to me always started with; "Cuz". My biggest treat was being able to take my wife and 3 sons to Yoshis on fathers day in 07 to hear Hiram play. They saw an actual relative, on-stage, wowing the audience. His warmth and caring spirit will continue to shine. Lovester Law

I remember the last time i saw my uncle hiram.....he cooked spicey yet very tasty green beans for me. it was christmas and all the family was together enjoying one another's company. i asked him for the secret to his green beans and he told me he honestly didn't know. he just put what he thought would taste good in them.....lol. he was one of the sweetest and funniest people that i have come to know. uncle hiram also introduced me to the piano. that's when i fell in love with music.....oh the love of music. it lived through him. i honestly never got to hear him play the guitar as much as the piano whenever i was around but no matter what the instument, it was beautiful. i kno my uncle looks down on all of you and smiles with much love. it's great to see all of the people who loved his music take a few minutes to write about it. i thank you and may god bless each and every one of you. i know now that he will rest in peace with grandma. i love you very much uncle hiram. always and forever, crisie denson :)

I have heard Hiram wail on some fusion rock pieces and he had great feel for the piece. I just bought a Cort Hiram Bullock Signature II axe today, was researching it and discovered to my shock that Hiram has passed on . . . and just yesterday Richard Wright of Pink Floyd passed on -- both victims to cancer. I will play to his memory when I hold that axe. And on my upcoming album I will be sure to mention Hiram's Signature guitar being used. It plays, looks and sounds superb! Good bye Hiram.

I'm sad...I saw him two times, Belgium with D.Sanborn and France for a little session in jazz academy from Nancy...know is music since 20 years now and really love his feeling, voice, and sound. Always ready to do "the big show". I keep this image in my mind : always a large smile and an ocean of notes with sensitivety. RIP Hiram, much love for you always ...

My name is Michael Law Sr., and am a distant cousin of Hiram, I have worked with his sister Jackie Bullock on several LMHG family reunion events, Jackie told me about Hiram about two years ago and I missed an event that was held in NY at Drummers Collective. I have been playing drums for 40 years plus, I wish I could of had the pleasure of playing with Hiram. God Bless Hiram and his Family, Michael Law sr.

I first met Hiram in 1976 or 1977 when he and David Sanborn were playing in Charlotte, North Carolina. I was working at WRPL Radio and was a novice at interviewing and here they come in a big old limo and come out to our rickety studio and just take over! I ended up hanging out with them for several days and Hiram and I became friends for life after that. As I moved to Florida and Colorado and Chicago and finally Philadelphia, Hiram and I always stayed in touch and he would always come see me and I would always go see him play. He would come over with a bottle of Dom Perignon (such luxury!) and he always fit into my circle of friends no matter where I was living. When I would visit him in New York, I always thought it was so exotic because we would go out AFTER midnight to the jazz clubs. He introduced me to Jaco Pastorius (such a thrill), and Mike and Leni Stern. It was very exciting to me. I also remember answering his phone one day and it was Paul Schaeffer on the line saying that Hiram was needed for the Letterman show taping and I told Paul that Hiram had left to get orange juice the day before and I hadn't seen or heard from him since. He was like that sometimes. What an amazing guitarist and what an amazing personality. He recorded the Jetsons theme song for my answering machine and I'll never forget how he sang "Jane his wife" with such exuberance. And of course, anyone who knew Hiram can recall his "YOW". The last time I was in touch with Hiram was a year or two back and he seemed so happy to be in Baltimore. He was settled into a longterm relationship and was also being a "dad" to two young men and that amazed him to no end to be in that capacity. I truly miss knowing that I'll never be able to just call him up again and say hey! I will look for pictures....I have quite a few.

I loved Hiram's playing and not just because I'm a guitarist. His personality, humor and taste were always so evident in anything he played. I only had the privilege of seeing him live once, with Sanborn in Portland, OR - probably the late 80's or early 90's. Hiram was on a wireless, running up and down the aisles, wailing. I had balcony seats, and for a minute lost sight of him, although his playing was still coming through the sound system. All of a sudden, this madman wearing red tights comes running down the balcony aisle, wailing away on that old frankenstrat, and he runs down to the edge of the balcony, stands with his toes over the railing and continues to wail and gyrate to the crowd below, like some half crazed witch doctor about to sacrifice a virgin. So much fun, and I think, so much Hiram. I will miss his voice and spirit in this world.

Years ago at The JVC (I think) Jazz Fest at Saratoga Springs, Hiram was playing with David Sanborn. For some reason Sanborn's mic went dead. Hiram sat down on the edge of the stage and just played for about 10 minutes by himself while the mic was being fixed. It was mesmerizing. He was phenomenal. That made the fest for my wife and I. From then on, we have been fans. I also saw him at "7th Avenue South" and a number of other times. He never failed to amaze. He will be sadly missed. Luckily for us, he leaves behind a wonderful collection of work

I knew Hiram in junior high school in Panama from 1969 - 1970 or so. He loved the guitar then. I remember him and Tony Bullock (not related) playing the guitar all the tim!. Condolences to his family. Debbie Nelson

I saw him in a concert Chicago back in the 80's. it was either with Chaka Khan or Bob James. Being a beginning guitar player my elf at the time, I was amazed by his playing and talent. He'll be missed....AMEEN

I too saw and heard Hiram at the Greek Theater in Berkley, CA. I was amazed by him and Marcus Miller. I never heard such wonderful bass guitar play, I think he was playing bass, it was a long time ago. But I know we have lost a great talent. My condolences to his family. He brought joy to my heart too.

Una gran perdida. Gracias por toda tu musica, siempre formará parte de mi. Ojala que donde quiera que estes sigas emanando magia de tu guitarra. Descansa en paz.

I played Window Shopping until the tape was worn...really. I'm shocked and very sad because true musicians are hard to find, and we just lost a great one. God Bless him and his family!

I remember as a child staying up late to watch David Letterman and I always enjoyed the band. Music has been in my soul since a very young age and I loved watching Hiram and his amazing smile playing the guitar. He was a joy to watch and hear. To learn that he passed away so young is shocking, scary and very sad. I hope that Hiram rests in peace and is playing in an amazing band up in heaven.

I met Hiram many, many years ago when we were teenage kids hanging out in Baltimore. At that time it always seemed that somebody's parents were out of town, thus making it possible for nightly jam sessions. As a matter of fact, i can remember the time that he came down in a van to Baltimore from New York to play at a jam session party! He came down with Clifford Carter, Mark Egan, Juma Santos, and a drummer who's name I've forgotten.(I think his name was Billy and he had a doctor's degree in jazz music. Now that I think about it, he even came down once with Victor Lewis to play at a party.) There are many things that I will remmeber about my friend. But the thing that i will remember the most will be his undying self-confidence. It was Zen-like. He never doubted his abilities and he inspired me to be myself and to go on my own path. I miss ya, bro. Thanks for everything. Love, Greg

I'm a guitarist who REALLY loved Hiram Bullocks'guitar playing. My guitar rig in the 1980's was inspired by Hiram: JC-120 and a Strat. I saw him play in DC in 1986. We talked at length about gear, life, music etc. We kept in touch, and he was great man and a good person. He's 1 of the few guitarist I admire and respect. This mans guitar style is what I try to capture every time I play the guitar. Hiram Bullock is a major influence on my style of playing. I'm REALLY gonna miss Hiram. God rest his soul.......

Just today looking on the internet for Hiram Bullock dvd's I learned the shocking news,.. I knew he was ill but this.....??? sad ,shocking news,the thought that there's never a new Hiram album coming out is almost unbearable. He is my favorite musician and I'll never forget him. Farewell my good friend where ever you are!!! Ronald Stallmann, The Netherlands

No words. Just thank you for the good moments. I´ll miss you a helluva lot. Keep grooving, Hiram. God bless you !!.

... defines for me what single note guitar can be. RIP.

Just recently heard that Hiram left. I met the master showman & musician backstage during a 1980's David Sanborn concert in Cleveland, Ohio and again during a rehearsal at Big Mikes practice studio in NYC; it always pleases me to discover uncommon talent in a person that relates easily with everyone on or off the bandstand. I always wanted to thank Hiram for taking my younger brother under his wing and helping him grow as a world class player. Hiram, for me, you'll live forever.

What a loss. Saw Hiram many times East and West. First time 1984 outdoors in Berkeley, CA with Sanborn. Hiram and Marcus Miller were about the same weight then and they both were laying on their back playing their instuments and air bicycling at the same time! One night in Dec. 1993 at a gig in NYC at Zanzibar on 14 th his back was out and he walked around like a duck but still played his butt off. A couple of times later he didn't show up and we got refunds, he admitted to his demons later but everyone knew. One of my favorites with him as a sideman is Don Grolnick's "Hearts and Numbers" - sublime! RIP Hiram.

Ci mancherai. Ora corro a metter su le registrazioni con il mitico Jaco! Ciao Hiram!

Hiram and I crossed path's in Minneapolis a while back when he was recording tracks (Change, Livin it) at Tommy Tucker's studio in the warehouse district. We shared some good times about struggles and decisions. He was the real deal and and not self indulged like so many with talent. I will miss his genuine person and gifted guitar playing.

Un grande ci ha lasciato, riposa in pace Hiram

thank u hiram for making great music. so sad that we can't newer see anymore new hiram albums. rest in peace hiram.

Hiram for me was a staple of the New York City music scene when I, a Buffalo, NY native, first moved to Weehawken, NJ in the late 90's. He was part of a regular rotation of cool stuff to check out. I had the pleasure of seeing him play with his band at Manny's Car Wash, Chicago Blues and later at Crash Mansion (which Hiram called an upscale place for a downtown guy like himself) and Battery Park (the last gig I saw Hiram play). I'll never forget the possessed-like funky dance he did at Crash Mansion during one of the breakdowns. He could groove funk or rock out and had such a warm, fun stage presence. Who else would write a song called Bean Burrito which was entirely about his favorite foods ("there's a time for soup and sushi" --I could relate.). If the music industry had it together, Hiram would be a household name (no wonder they're losing $$...and it's not just cause of Limewire). Frankly, I don't think there is a music industry anymore, as such...it's consolidated into an entertainment industry...but I digress. Hiram was one of the greats of a generation—without a doubt! Thank you Hiram.

The news about his death reached me after searcing the internet for some inormation about his consertplans this summer. This was not what i expected to find. Now playing his music through my JBL 120 TI's, it's difficult to find words. Went to sardines in Oslo late in the 80's to hear David Sanborn and Band. Hiram was a member of the band, a guitarist i never had heard of, and he lifted the consert to hights i never thought was possible. In his t-shirt and thights he played the roof off the music hall. Thank You for an unforgettable night, and rest in peace. I will never forget You!!