Remembering Fred Gallico. Follow the Sun.

In true “guy” fashion – I could go 4 months without talking to Fred and we picked up where we left off. When John Seneff called last Thursday morning, I couldn’t process what he was saying.  Fred?  So quickly?

How? Why? It makes no sense.

I counted him as one of my closer friends. I am discovering he made many people feel that way…

Fred and Bart

Our friendship started in earnest when management paired us as roommates on the infamous WFMS Bahamas Sales Cruise of early 2001. I discovered I was in the presence of greatness when it came to wry wit and sharp, fast and intelligent come-backs. I remember him trying some line on one of the women we met – and, she said “I bet you say that to all the women on this cruise.” Without hesitating he sincerely looked her right in the eye and said, “There are other women on this ship? I hadn’t noticed”. Vintage Fred.

What does it say about our friendship that we worked with each other at THREE DIFFERENT Radio Companies? I was usually asked to leave. Fred never wore out his welcome anywhere because he was a good team member….a good man to have around. He didn’t divide staffs or argue about accounts or fixate on petty things. He built relationships with people and tried to make things better. Tried to help many around him.

Big or small – he was there for me. Nobody to get me to the airport? Fred did it. I had eye surgery once and nobody was available to drive me home. Fred was there. We need a guy for one of Denise’s’ friends. Call Fred. Holiday party at the house. A gathering before going to see the Meatball Band…friends would remark afterward…..”I talked to your friend, Fred….I liked that Fred…..funny…interesting… he’s a good guy.”

When it was just the two of us, we talked about the things we had in common…Radio, women, divorces, our kids – and, almost always music and photography. I understood those last two – but, could not hold a candle to Fred’s innate talent and his work ethic at wanting to improve his skills.

Fred worked hard on the things he wanted to be good at. He was always studying photography techniques and ideas…was a student of lighting and how it influenced good photos. He would watch online videos about lighting, ask questions in on-line forums and correspond with experts. He experimented – he wanted to be good at it and was willing to work.

He worked hard on music, too. So much so that he taught guitar at one point in his life. Years ago, when I went to see him perform, I was blown away by how good he was. He took himself lightly. No hint of ego. He made it look easy – but, I know he worked hard to become the talent he was in music.

One night we delved deeply into the subject of music over dinner. (I had something like a blue cheese burger with bacon at TG Alibi’s– and, he had a salad and only one beer because he was going to run later!) The topic involved the Beatles. We agreed on not only the lyrical genius of Lennon and McCartney – but, their compositional genius as well. Fred thought that “I’ll Follow the Sun” was an example of truly great composition. It was simple but complex and innovative…with a gentle guitar solo. It was a strong piece of writing, especially when compared to their early one, four, five progressions. (The rockers are with me!)

Part of the genius we identified: Not only do the lyrics of the refrain mourn the change in the relationship -but, the supporting chord structure is in synch with that lyrical transition. It shifts from major key, happy and confident – to minor feel, sad and ominous with a need for resolution. …then, back to major again:

“And now the time has come, and so, my love I must go
And Though I lose a friend, in the end you will know. Oh….
One Day you’ll find that I have gone
But, tomorrow may rain so, I’ll follow the sun”

I swear we talked about this. … but, not the part about losing a friend. I try to think of our friendship in those happier, major chords. As I look ahead, the future is tough to embrace with the minor chords I feel at this moment. It is difficult to “follow the sun”

People say that time heals the hurt you feel when you lose someone. Maybe, but only partially.  Things get better and the pace of our lives resume – but, things are never quite “the same”. I will want to call him and pick up where we left off. That part of our lives has changed forever. There will always be a hole in our lives to contend with. It is a void shaped a lot like Fred.

You will see Fred’s face in your mind or hear his voice in your head and you will smile. You hear a guitar riff or see an awesome photograph…there’s Fred. We search for comfort knowing we are better people for having spent time with him and richer to have shared in both his passions and his fears. Although we will miss him greatly, we are better and happier humans for having known him.