May he rest in peace, in the great garage in the sky
I think that is John Fleck on the right (who was in the early version of Love and got a songwriting credit on their song I Can’t Explain, not to be confused with the Who’s song Can’t Explain; John also wrote the early Floyd-ish All Fall Down oddly enough when PF was also on Tower).
John was later in the early version of War.
"RIP Dick!!!!As fate would have it, the Standells were all together, not performing, but enjoying the evening (a rare event) when we received the news that Dick Dodd had passed away at the age of 68. There’s also a metaphor in his departing on Black Friday. Dick always had a wry sense of humor.
Unknown until recently, Dick had been suffering from esophageal cancer for quite some time.
Because we were in a nightclub, I was only able to fire off a quick announcement via cell phone on the Standells Facebook page.
I’ve known Dick since he was about 20 years old. The first time we met was when he walked into P.J.’s nightclub to audition for the Standells. He had a tough job to fill; we desperately needed a drummer who could sing, as we were about two weeks away from recording our first record album. Until that time, I had done all of the lead singing, and I need someone else to share the load. As soon as Dick sat behind the drums and began sing and play, I knew we had found the right person! Not only did he knock our socks off, but survived some very lame jokes about his being a former Mouseketeer.
The album, “The Standells in Person at P.J.s” came off without a hitch. Dick even managed to sing a couple of songs on it. As time went on, Dick gradually assumed more and more of the lead singing. When we signed with Greengrass Productions (Ed Cobb’s company), Dick was chosen as the lead singer on our first record “Dirty Water”/ “Rari”. After that, he did most of the lead singing. I never regretted it.
Dick was an incredible talent, both as a drummer and singer! In addition, Dick was a very kind and gentle person, always there for his friends when they needed him, and on a number of occasions giving gifts to associates. He also was very caring to his friends.
Last year during my bout with prostate cancer, he called me every week offering words of comfort. I understand that he did the same for many of his friends. The attached photo is one of Dick’s favorites; it’s a split shot showing Dick during the '60s, and as he was earlier this year. Dick is survived by his wife Janie and daughter Nicole. He passed away at 10:00 pm Friday evening, appropriately with drumsticks in his hands.
Rest in peace Dick. We miss you, but know that you’re in a better place!"
- Larry Tamblyn (on keyboards)