OT: From Missing, to Officially Declared Dead.

[TRAGChick]

Yup....

Mark called me this morning....

Remember Ben Wu, the Booking Agent for the Webster Theatre?
Well, he has been officially declared DEAD today.

I feel like I've been hit - at TOP SPEED - by a Baseball Bat to the stomach.

We have received ZERO FUCKING SUPPORT & RESPECT from CT Clubs, Managers, and Radio. Ben was the ONE GUY who believed in us enough to make it a POINT of inviting us to perform over & over....
And now he's gone.

And yes, perhaps the fact that CT DOES NOT support one of its own is getting to me....
Which led to my posts last night. Sorry.

....I can't stop ing.

[TRAGChick]

"Remembering Ben Wu The Webster Theatre’s Heart and Soul
By Edward Gaug
Entertainment Editor

While many people go to The Webster every week for the amazing assortment of concerts, almost no one knows who is putting everything together. Sadly, in the past month, Ben Wu, 29, of Middletown had gone missing when on vacation in the British Virgin Islands. After an extensive attempt by the local government to find him and attempts by friends and family afterwards, Ben was presumed dead on January 28. An e-mail was sent to everyone Ben was in contact with by his friend Jeff Franklin confirming the death.

Ben Wu was the reason why The Recorder’s Entertainment Section was able to review live shows, have amazing live photos and even interview bands. He kept us up-to-date on what was going on locally for live shows, presented us with free passes, and even gave us advance knowledge of big shows coming up, just to keep us ahead of the curve. For that, I can’t thank him enough.

Whether it was Mark Rowan, Duncan Sanford or myself, Ben had helped us all through our tenures as editors for the paper and made our lives infinitely easier when trying to arrange concert coverage. In the future, I can only hope that The Webster can find a person that will continue to make not only the venue better, but still assist the local media as well.

In the past few days, things on the Internet-side of The Webster have straightened out as a post on the main page has changed from “Call ahead before any show” to “All shows will go on as scheduled... thank you!” The thanks belong to The Webster for this one, as they continue to grieve the loss of Ben while still going about their daily jobs.

Our prayers are with Ben’s friends and family. To Ben, thank you for everything you have done to help The Recorder and myself."

[G.I.Jim]

I'm really sorry to hear that Nora! That sucks!!! I feel bad for his family also. You guys sound great though, so something will work itself out! Just hang in there...

[*Laura]

....I can't stop ing.

I'm so sorry,Nora... I remember when you posted about him missing.
Can't even imagine how terrible it is for his family and friends.

Try to be strong,ok?

[DSHinMICH]

So sorry to hear that Nora! My thoughts and prayers to his family and you!
Deb

[Moon Beam]

Awwww Nora......I to recall you mentioning this Gentleman and his supportive nature
with your band, so sorry to read of this lady.
May his family, friends and the community embrace all the good things about him and
comfort each other with the memories he left behind.
I'll keep you all in my thoughts.

[Deb]

Really sorry to hear that Nora. My thoughts are with you.

[Ms_M]

So sorry to hear this, Nora. Big hugs!

[venomnation]

can someone fill me in on the backstory here? I'm just catching up and wonder what it's about (Respectfully of course)

[msmercury01]

I don't know the backstory either but that's really sad. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

[TRAGChick]

can someone fill me in on the backstory here? I'm just catching up and wonder what it's about (Respectfully of course)

Here's the story from Channel 3, Hartford:
http://www.wfsb.com/news/15057330/detail.html

[AlienC]

Condolences to you and the extended 'family'.

I stumbled upon an old article on Bill Graham online last week.
It caused me to pause and reflect on all that he did for the music business and the scene in San Francisco in general, and me specifically.
Were it not for people like them ( Bill and Ben ), artists like ourselves would have a much more difficult time to give rise to our art, our craft, our passion of life.

Those of us who have benefited from their sacrifice need to pay it forward in some fashion, lest it (art) wither away from lack of attention.

Well, I like to say in times like this that the working crew at Heaven's Amphitheatre just got a little bit bigger.

[TRAGChick]

Condolences to you and the extended 'family'.

I stumbled upon an old article on Bill Graham online last week.
It caused me to pause and reflect on all that he did for the music business and the scene in San Francisco in general, and me specifically.
Were it not for people like them ( Bill and Ben ), artists like ourselves would have a much more difficult time to give rise to our art, our craft, our passion of life.

Those of us who have benefited from their sacrifice need to pay it forward in some fashion, lest it (art) wither away from lack of attention.

Well, I like to say in times like this that the working crew at Heaven's Amphitheatre just got a little bit bigger.

Thanx, Allen...