| 12-28-2006 7:18 PM | |
| david reilly | |
| santa monica, california | |
|
sean was a
big man, and a bigger presence and an even bigger heart. i worked across
the stage from him in 2004 and 2005 with ani difranco. i will always
regret not getting to talk with him once he was stricken. i thought
there would be time, but he went so fast... so, i got to talk to him a
little, but he could not reply in words. he, more than anyone i have ever known, was respectful, even protective, of my sobriety! even though his own was further along the path if at all. when i came to work for ani, he welcomed me, showed me the ropes, was always on the job, ready, aware. never have i seen a stronger work ethic. he knew fans everywhere and took a lot of time for them. he always asked about my wife and my son. he always made me feel like we had a lot in common. we did. i miss him. i am dumbfounded that he's gone from us. and that we only have his example and his spirit til we move on too. thanks to southside for putting up this page for all of us.16592 |
|
| 12-07-2006 6:52 AM | |
| michelle | |
|
for those of
you who have had the 'experience' of being next to Sean when his phone
rang, you will appreciate this..... http://www.paponettidesign.com/ringtone/ninjai2.mp316592 |
|
| 12-07-2006 2:20 AM | |
| Micol | |
| Italy | |
|
I remember
the sweetest eyes I've ever seen...I remember his eyes excited when
talking about Ferrari...I remember his willing to have a tatoo from
Modena....I remember his giggles.... his comprehension....huge heart and
closestness in difficult times....I remember his smile.... I remember
him talking about his mum...I remember him talking about love...I
remember a beautiful child ...a beautiful giant... Will remember you...Sean |
|
| 12-04-2006 11:09 AM | |
| Peaches | |
| New York City | |
|
So vivid are
the images of Sean gracefully flying over keyboards, cables, sound
equipment and weaving and bobbing out the the way of the Lead Singer! When South and David Bromberg graced the stage at BB King's and Sean gave one of his great introductions: "And now....two wild and crazy guys...." Though we never spoke a word to one another, I thank you Sean, for all the smiles and that twinkle in your eyes. You are warmly remembered. |
|
| 12-04-2006 11:05 AM | |
| Anonymous Poster | |
|
So vivid are
the images of Sean gracefully flying over keyboards, cables, sound
equipment and weaving and bobbing out the the way of the Lead Singer!
When South and David Bromberg graced the stage at BB King's and Sean gave one of his great introductions: "And now....two wild and crazy guys...." Though we never spoke a word to one another, I thank you Sean, for all the smiles and that twinkle in your eyes. You are warmly remembered. |
|
| 12-04-2006 9:39 AM | |
| Debbi Ryeczek | |
| Pittsburgh, PA | |
|
9-11 was the
catalyst for my and my family's friendship with Sean. Through this
shared experience, as horrific as it was, I had the opportunity to get
to know what went on inside this dreadlocked, tattooed Irishman. What an
amazing human being. His convictions were strong, his heart was big, and
his laugh was infectious. Over the next (too few) years we spent many
hours listening to his tales and discussing life. Oh, how he loved
life...and he lived it better that many of us ever will. Now, moved on
to another level-not gone, really, just changed. His spirit is what
touched us while here, and that's the part we can always keep. Sean, as
Ashley said earlier, "you were always mom's favorite." You still are.
See you on the other side, Debbi |
|
| 12-04-2006 7:28 AM | |
| Diane K | |
| Highlands, NJ | |
| Just remembered a humerous thot about Sean, at Jukestock, my husband I were fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with Sean. He kept playing a sound-byte of Billy Connolly, over and over and over, as loud as he could. Here's the link, classic Sean....http://www.audiosparx.com/sa/play/port_lofi.cfm/sound_iid.51327 | |
| 12-04-2006 4:58 AM | |
| Timmy Holland | |
| USA | |
|
I tried to
write this note many times. I'm so happy to see so many people got the
real Sean. He was one of my dearest friends. I met Sean over 10 years
when we worked with The Spin Doctors. He was still a rookie, but he
learned fast. I brought him into the Juke family, first because he was a
good monitor guy, but really because he was a great person and I'm glad
the Jukes got to know him like I did. I have so many great stories to
tell, but just know he was one of the greatest people I ever met. I will
deeply miss him. godspeed my friend and and rest in peace forever. tim |
|
| 12-03-2006 4:45 PM | |
| Ed | |
| East Windsor | |
|
Sean and I
would talk politics a couple of times a year. He was a warm hearted humanitarian. who seemed to live by the passage, “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me.” |
|
| 12-03-2006 3:50 PM | |
| Special K | |
| central jersey | |
|
Even though
Sean didn't know my name he'd recognize a familiar face and smile and
say hi. Even if he was busy at work he'd still give you the time of day.
In this fast paced world we live in it's great that people like Sean do
exist. Sean, I'll raise a Smithwick's in your honor. You'll have your
arm on St. Peter's shoulder inside the gates of heaven laughing at the
devil searching for your soul. God Bless You Sean, Kev |
|
| 12-03-2006 3:10 PM | |
| Gary | |
| colts neck, nj | |
| Sean , you were the best. I will never forget the night at my house. You made it GREAT!!!I'll have a drink for you.....Gary S | |
| 12-03-2006 2:26 PM | |
| Carol | |
| Sean was always good for a big smile and a big hug. I'm going to remember Sean and hang on to that feeling for as long as I can. | |
| 12-03-2006 12:06 PM | |
| Ashley Ryeczek | |
| Pittsburgh, PA | |
|
Sean was one
of the most amazing people I ever knew. I first met him after 9/11 when
he was helping so many rescuers- whether giving them a place to rest,
take a shower, or just giving them sandwhich. He did everything he could
with his small Manhattan apartment. :) Since then, every festival, every
show, it was the usual smile and hug and a laugh or two. It grew into an
amazing friendship over the years, however just this past year, I deeply
regret not trying to contact him as much as I use to. With moving,
getting married, and such- I didn't have time to write a simple email,
or give a call- and I deeply regret now missing those chances that I
had. Sean, I will miss your smiles, your humour, your wonderful personality so much. Missing you. ~Ashley (P.S. You were always mom's favourite!!) :) |
|
| 12-03-2006 4:16 AM | |
| Lisa Ann | |
| Totowa, NJ | |
| I didn't know Sean personally and he didn't know me, other than being familiar faces, but, he was never ever too busy to say hi back or throw a smile back my way. You will be very missed at all the shows. This world was truly a better place because you were with us and you are a remarkable man with a great big heart of gold. Please keep the party going up there 'til we can join you...... | |
| 12-02-2006 5:26 PM | |
| southie | |
| stockholm | |
| I just sad "Hi" to You once a year ago but I didnt´t know anything about you beeing sic. I was so shocked (can´t spell) to hear about Your illness. I´m crying my tears out right now. R . I . P . SEAN | |
| 12-02-2006 4:44 PM | |
| Pam | |
| Queens,NYC | |
|
I will miss
Sean very much. He was never too busy to say Hi and give me a kiss
hello. One time at Martells we shared a hug and I kissed him on the
cheek, and left my notorius red lip stick mark, I went to wipe it off
and he said no, it reminded him of his grandmother! Well..you can
imagine I was a bit taken back by that, I am not THAT old! Sean sensed
what I was thinking, and he said his grandmother was one of the sweetest
people he knew, and in that way I reminded him of her. At that point I
was "proud" to be a "grandmother" LOL. Another time after I had just gotten a tattoo, and I was excited about it,I practically ran over to Sean at the Pony to show him. Now compared to his tattoos, it was a tiny thing, but he seemed to be just as excited for me as I was.. He was that way..he always made you feel good, and important. He was a warm, gentle, generous man who will be deeply missed. I guess that great Band in the sky needed a great sound guy, and now they have the best. Rock on Sean!! |
|
| 12-02-2006 4:25 PM | |
| Alan Thrasher | |
| Birmingham, Alabama | |
|
Guys, I hope the memorial was both real and funny. That would befit Sean. I've been thinking for two days of what to say. Sean and I were the same age, so we saw a lot of older memories the same, and this has struck me with a feeling of loss of a friend. I haven't seen him since the last Spin Doctors event we were both at many years ago. But I'll remember Sean as being a true brother of the road on the SD trip. We argued over who had been there longer with the guys, but he outlasted me. You are all a great part of my past (road life). I cherish each memory of all of you. Sean always treated me with the greatest respect, I saw him as a really well grounded human being. He truly loved NYC, and was a stupid southerner's guide in the big apple many times. But it was his fun on the road that I liked best. Ren & Stimpy - he knew it was classic before it was. He always greeted me with a special Brooklyn accent on my name when he saw me. He wouldn't have much, but he shared what he had with me. We talked about growing up at the same time period with shared memories, though it was worlds apart. I notice the names of those who are online about this loss. Of those of us together on the road, he is the first to go. It reminds me of all the times we had, and that those of us that were crew were part of a larger band family that is part of our lives. Those were good times, it left us knowing each other like family, I hope we are all able to stay in touch for a long time. Because as Sean has shown us, we will feel the loss of a friend if anything happens to any of those of us who were part of that crazy wonderful time of our lives. Sean was a genuine guy. I think the world lost one of the good ones too soon. I'll pray for the safety and health of all of you, my friends from the road. I've had a great time remembering life with Sean and all of you. I hope each of you has done the same. We may be apart by geography and time, but right now we are remembering a time together that could never change. And so my hats off to the departure of one of our mates, one of those who made our life richer for having known him. So if you come down South, and pass through Birmingham, please give me a shout. God Bless You All, Alan Thrasher Wildfire Coach Leasing |
|
| 12-02-2006 3:12 PM | |
| rainman | |
| by the sea | |
| goodbye to a all around nice guy you will be missed...... | |
| 12-01-2006 10:39 PM | |
| Dawn "Lil D" | |
| NJ | |
|
Met Sean on
one of my very first gigs in the buisness, always said we'd be a great
lighting/sound duo. Sean remained a VERY close friend ever since. Sorry
such a horrible thing could happen to such a GREAT person. He will be
VERY much missed. At least he feels no pain now and is in a better place looking over ALL of his friends. He will be missed! Dawn |
|
| 12-01-2006 7:45 PM | |
| Gary | |
| ELmwood Park,NJ | |
| I never met such a fine person like Sean. We will miss you, Pal | |
| 12-01-2006 5:15 PM | |
| Mike Di Bianco | |
| bridgewater, nj | |
| Not much of a story but.....My wife and I asked Sean which way Southside went after a Tiki Bar show and he directed us in an obviously wrong direction. I didn't know who he was, he was just the funny looking guy who was working with the band, but I got a kick out of his handling of our question. | |
| 12-01-2006 4:49 PM | |
| Buffalo Bill | |
|
This is a
messge I posted on Jeff Kazee's Message Board a few nights ago. I had to
make a minor correction in that time has passed so quickly that I didn't
realize that the Jukes made the triumphant return to Buffalo (2) years
ago, and I spoke with Sean in San Diego in September of '05. As a
sidebar, when I started following SSJ and the Jukes (5) years ago, I
never knew I would get to know so many of them and find them all to be
such decent and sincere people, especially Sean. And I think Chris
Anderson's note on SSJ's MB sums it up. This guy, with his joy in all that he did, created several lifetimes in one, and he is an example for all of us. Anyway, I hope the message is most appropriate here: To Jeff(and Southside and all the Jukes and Jukes family), my condolences. So sorry to hear about the passing of Sean. What a great guy. I had said hello to him a time or two , but only got to know him the night you guys were gracious enough to stop at our party following your triumphant return to Buffalo last May. My friends, coworkers and neighbors all got a big kick out of meeting you guys and sharing stories. I still remember Sean sitting there with his Springsteen World Tour Jacket on. I asked him what is was like to tour Europe and he pointed at the hotel and said "...just like this but the food sucks." A very genuine, sincere and humorous guy. I also remeber the GREAT intro he gave Southside at the Cleveland Odeon Concert in '04 and one in Rochester, NY where I believe he introduced SSJ as "the next governor of the State of New Jersey". I had a chance to catch up with him again in San Diego last year, but because I have not been able to get to a Jukes concert this year, had no idea how sick he was. Oh well... Let us celebrate his fine life! Back to top |
|
| 11-30-2006 10:56 PM | |
| Michelle Paponetti | |
| Jukesville | |
|
There are so
many moments with sean that i will always cherish. he was an amazing,
amazing guy. all around. i remember going to the rainforest alliance benefit with steve at the beacon theatre a few years ago. steve and i were thrilled to find that keith richards was added to the show at the last minute and even more thrilled to find that southside's dressing room was right next to keiths! bobby was ecstatic, southside was in good spirits and sean was, well sean was sean. all smiles. all night. steve, hood, sean and i went to the after-party, where we immediately realized that the bands were not there, the food was nothing to write home about (just ask hood!) but the heinekens were very cold, and very free!!! so steve, sean and i stayed. The three of us entertained ourselves and each other by poking fun at some drunk guy who had stolen steves spot on the couch while he was up getting us beer and then passed out cold. while we could not wake him up to get steves spot back, we did all take turns drawing on his knee with a sharpee through the hole in his pants, lining up mini pastries all up his legs and sticking guitar picks between all of his fingers. thank god we had the camera with us that night! even though there was no film left at the end of the night when keith richards did grace the party with his presence! but oh well. these pictures are way more valuable anyway! it was a night that steve and i look back on very often. Michelle Paponetti |
|
| 11-30-2006 10:55 PM | |
| Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato | |
| Jukesville | |
|
I had not
seen Sean in many years, probably since our last Spin Doctor tour
together, but I thought of him often. He was working for Ani Difranco at
the same time I was working for Indigo Girls and we often were a day
ahead or behind each other at a lot of the same gigs. We'd pass hellos
and good wishes to each other via the local audio crew at the venue and
while I always expected to run into him at a gig sooner or later it just
never happened. I'll always remember Sean as someone who really enjoyed
life. Every memory Ihave of him makes me laugh or smile, we were roommates for a very brief time on my first spin doctor tour and he would never sleep in the bed next to the window 'just in case the window would explode'. I remember the way he always had to smell every bite of food before he ate it. He was the best tour guide of NYC that anyone could ask for, I think he even knew how many manhole covers there are in the city. He had some of the most beautiful tattoo artwork I have ever seen and I recall after he got the big tribal piece done on his leg he was constantly dropping his pants for everyone to see wether they wanted to or not. He had a great big heart and I am glad to have known him. I'm sure he has touched far more people than he could ever know and he'll be missed by all. Rest in Peace old friend. Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato |
|
| 11-30-2006 10:54 PM | |
| Jimmy Pettinato | |
| Jukesville | |
|
Godspeed
Seanny Boy. In sitting here in my hotel room, after hearing of Sean's passing...I have been remembering Sean stories & memories for the past few hours. Since I will not get a chance to come to the memorial services, I'll leave you all with this memory in this moment of sadness. It was the very first Spin Doctors European tour (well first that I had done). We were coming out of Amsterdam, and had a long bus ride to somewhere with a border crossing (1993...no EU yet). All of the boys, Sean, Eric, Luc, Matt and Chris had all bought that night in Amsterdam, none of them knowing the others had also bought some. They all came to the front lounge with their packages to proudly display them...and were all shocked to find out they had all done the same thing. They now had a HUGE pile of weed...and a border coming up in about 4 hours. What transpired over the next 4 hours could only be considered the Pot Smoking Olympics. Those guys sat down, and just started smoking weed, non stop for about 3 hours straight. I dont smoke pot, and I was so in awe of this that I stayed up watching what was certainly pot smoking history going on. Joint and joint after joint. Three or four times they tried to quit...saying enough was enough (they were all more baked than I have ever seen five humans) and were going to throw the remaining stuff away out the hatch of the bus. Sean taped it all up into a film vial to throw out the roof hatch...he filled the vial with the weed, papers and matches...saying at least some poor soul who might be hitchhiking along the highway may find it and it would be able to have some weed (this was the essence of Sean Giblin). Every time they tried to throw it away...none of them could do it. They each took turns passing the film vial to each other saying "I cant do it...you do it"...none of them could bring themselves to toss it out of the bus. Each time around the vial would get to Sean and he would say... "I cant do it... ok one more"... open the vial, roll another. This cycle of closing up the vial, passing it to the guy sitting next to each other, planning to throw it away repeated itself at least three or four times. They were all so wrecked, it was like watching the pot smoking event in the special olympics, but they couldn't stop, none of them could throw away perfectly good weed, despite being practically crippled. I sat there and laughed at them for easily 4 hours until they finally threw the vial out with the papers and a few tiny roaches. Thats just one memory of Sean... Best Jimmy Pettinato |
|
| 11-30-2006 10:52 PM | |
| Ricky Byrd | |
| Jukesville | |
|
Nicely put
Bill, I didn't know Sean as long as youz guys but I do know that he was a good joe who was always there to help when it was needed. This morning I was thinking about a 10 minute version of "Rasta Sean" we did somewhere in Europe on the 2005 tour. There he was stage left behind the monitor board dancing his Bob Marley dance, arms waving in the air with that great smile and a mischievous gleam in his eyes. You knew Club Sean would be open late that night!! Now it's open 24/7 and drinks are on the house. God Bless. Ricky Byrd |
|
| 11-30-2006 10:52 PM | |
| Mike Saunders | |
| Jukesville | |
|
We can't be
there but the Druids will attend in spirit and drinks will be sunk in
his honour on this side of the pond. He'd like that. He once downed a
pint of Guinness in 4 seconds while I was moving my glass up to my
mouth. Nothing will be quite the same without him. Big heart, larger
than life and too young to die. This has been a very sad day. Mike Saunders |
|
| 11-30-2006 10:51 PM | |
| Jean Marie Powers | |
| Jukesville | |
|
I am so very
sorry for your loss, all............... VERY Well said, Billy D. Sean
will be missed, indeed. A sweeter guy you'd be hard pressed to find. A new angel in heaven, with a new "look", no doubt. In my prayers, y'all. :( Jean Marie Powers |
|
| 11-30-2006 10:50 PM | |
| Bill Durborow | |
| Jukesville | |
|
I first met
Sean almost twenty years ago. We were in the process of putting together
a crew for an up-and-coming new band called the SPIN DOCTORS. Jason
Richardson, the band's RM, told me about this guy he had met who was
willing to work for free just to get on the tour...would I talk to him. I met with Sean and was taken by his affability, obvious desire to learn, and his willingness to work. No dreads then, just bushy hair and goatee. I hired him as a truck driver for per diems. He quickly became a valuable and paid member of the crew, learning all facets of road management as well as becoming an ace sound man. He was just as valuable when he started working with the Jukes. I always knew that, even when he was working for Ani Difranco full-time, in a pinch, I could call Sean to advance a date when Hood and Joe were working elsewhere. And he would say "No problem." And there would be no problem. He understood what the band needed to do a good show, and he also understood the bigger picture of what was good for the organization, and he attended to both with a calm demeanor and a good-natured attitude that made others feel relaxed. I think Sean's somewhat unusual appearance may have put off those who did not know him, but if they did venture past the dreads and 'toos they found a genial, intelligent, genuine soul, who would do anything for anybody, at any time. The most telling evidence of his personality was his, not widely known, work with the 911 emergency responders. Sean opened his apartment, 24/7, to any and all rescuers. For weeks they could take showers, get meals, and crash on his couch. Helping others without any desire for reward. At bottom, that was Sean. When I first heard of his seizure, and his diagnosis, a chill ran through me. Another friend of mine had died at forty of a similar cancer, and I was afraid of de ja vu. I kept hoping, but the news never seemed to get significantly better. And now it's gotten to the worst. I feel sorry for all of us who will miss him. We have few really good guys, and good friends in the world, and Sean was one of them. I shall miss him a lot. Bill Durborow |
|
| 11-30-2006 10:49 PM | |
| Graham Swinnerton | |
| Jukesville | |
|
As I haven't
come any nearer to finding some appropriate words either, I'll second
what Dave has said so eloquently (minus the box lifting and Amsterdam
bars!). Thinking of you all... Graham Swinnerton |
|
| 11-30-2006 10:47 PM | |
| The Druids | |
| Jukesville | |
|
The Druids
first met Sean at Jukestock...we would never be the same again! With the
snow coming down, a truck to load and everyone rushing back to New York
before we got stuck in Jersey forever, Sean still found the time to
share a beer and a pizza (along with Hood and Joe Prinzo) with two Brits
he hardly knew. He was selfless and always wanted to know your story.
That continued throughout all the days we spent together on the road
with the Jukes. Cherished memories that we will never forget. We'll
always remember the load-in before each show, although supposed to be
more hard work than fun, Sean never allowed us to flag thanks to his
fabulously wicked sense of humour and constant encouragment. There were
the restaurants we shared during the tours, the pubs in England we
visited, the bars in Amsterdam we frequented and there were the late,
late nights back in his hotel room after each show (there was always
just one more tale to tell) which we dubbed 'Club Sean.' Then of course
there was his love of the music; Sean's boundless energy and enthusiasm
during the Jukes shows was infectious. And a fitting tribute came at one
gig when the band played an impromptu 'Reggae Sean' with him bouncing
around like an excited schoolboy. There was also the time Southside
exclaimed 'You're fired!' and Sean shouted back 'Yeah, baby!!!' It was
always fun. Our thoughts and feelings go out to his many friends and family. We love you Sean. The Druids |
|
| 11-30-2006 10:46 PM | |
| Jason Richardson | |
| Jukesville | |
|
Sean Giblin
(1963-2006) Sean Giblin died this morning after suffering from cancer. Sean was my first friend in the Nightingale Bar/Wetlands scene that spawned so many great friendships and so many great times. We met as fellow music lovers across the counter at my local CD shop, Smash Compact Discs on St. Marks Place, where Sean worked in the late 1980s. After seeing Blues Traveler and Spin Doctors on two successive nights in December 1989, I told Sean about these incredible new bands. It turned out he had heard of them already. Before long, Sean and I were spending a lot of time following the bands around, and he began his life's pursuit of live audio recording and sound engineering. Very quickly, Sean became a highly valued and sought-after engineer, a career which began and thrived strictly out of his great passion for live music. I am sitting here thinking about a few memorable moments in which Sean and I acknowledged we were privileged to be part of such a powerful and inspiring musical world, among them the Blues Bake in Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1990, and a show on Sean's 30th birthday at the Warfield in San Francisco. But there were so many. I look forward to seeing some old friends at the Art Bar this Thursday and sharing some laughs and memories. Jason Richardson (Road Manager, Spin Doctors) |
|
| 11-30-2006 10:45 PM | |
| Maggie | |
| Jukesville | |
|
It's got to
be almost an exact year since I saw Sean in Osnabruck and apart from
EVERYTHING he did for EVERYONE at JUKESTOCK, I'll always remember an
email he sent out shortly after 9/11, it was like his home had become an
unofficial shelter for rescue workers et al which, when we found out,
gave us a chance to do something useful by helping him to provide some
of the basic necessities he needed for these guys like soap and razors
etc. Says it all, right? I'm saddened by this news and have goose-bumps as I write but can still smile when I think about those amaaaaazing dreadlocks! My thoughts and prayers are with those closest to Sean. Maggie |
|
| 11-30-2006 10:42 PM | |
| Administrator | |
| Jukesville | |
|
It is a
profoundly sad day in Juke World. One of the best people we have ever
known has passed on to that undiscovered country and left behind a great
many grieving friends. The irrepressible Sean Giblin, sound man, blithe
spirit, dreadlocked manboy, and all around good guy died last night
after a long; strong war against cancer. It came on him so quickly, as
all true villains do, and stole first his freedom, then his life. Never
got his heart, though; we have that now, and all the memories. We'll
need both to fill in the great hole he left in our lives. Fare well,
Sean. Safe home. Raise a glass. Southside. |
|