Dear God. This is incredibly hard news to handle. At the same time, I'm not as upset as I expected to be, should the worst have occurred. I think that has something to do with the idea that a person as talented as himself may never have been able to do that which he had been blessed to do. He lived to a very decent age, and he did great things while he was alive. To not be able to use your gifts any longer, through all the pain he had already been in...well I think you can see what I'm getting at.
I will cherish always the two shows I was able to see him at, especially the fact that at both shows, I am sure I got a nod, smile and wave from him as I cheered him as loud as best I could during each and every one of his solos, not just the big ones.
As a saxophone player, my two biggest favorite pop sax players are now gone. In my life, I had had a few chances to see Dave Matthews Band, and I always passed up that opportunity in order to save the money or go to other gigs because I figured, "Hey, they're young, I'll have other opportunities." When LeRoi Moore died, it shook me quite a bit, and it was at that point that I decided I had to see Bruce one more time, and I was incredibly glad I did. I was given the opportunity to see one of the greatest shows, most people argue, Bruce has done since the 70s, and I once again was afforded the opportunity to hear the Big Man play those melodies which many of us hold so dear.
I loved that guy, in my own way, not knowing him personally of course, and I had always hoped I'd have the opportunity to see him again, but I'm glad I was given the chances I was. The music he gave us, of course, will always live on, and for that, I'm quite grateful.
And now, I have finally started to make myself cry, so I think I'm done.