I was devastated to find out last night that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist for Dave Matthews Band, died from complications to an all-terrain-vehicle accident.
Dave Matthews Band has been a big part of my life since my first show in 2001 in Hershey. I've seen them more than 20 times since then. Sadly, the last show I saw was also Roi's final show. On June 28 at Nissan Pavilion in Virginia, I witnessed the band play together as a whole for the last time. After seeing the band so many times it never gets old. The moments of each show sometimes fade, but this one now has a special spot in my memory. I witnessed an end of an era for a band that has changed my life in countless ways.
Late last night, when I got home from work, I couldn't help but put on Live at Red Rocks and listen to his solo on "Proudest Monkey," or play "#41" from Listener Supported. I looked through my ticket stubs and thought about the memories of the music, the friends and good times I had seeing this band for eight years.
Even though the band is named after its front man (it is said a club owner gave them the name because they were unnamed), Dave Matthews Band is more than a group of session musicians with a famous singer. Watching Dave, LeRoi, Boyd, Carter and Stefan interact on stage was special, and each member brought something unique to the music.
LeRoi always seemed to shy from the spotlight. He was a stark contrast to violinist Boyd Tinsley's flamboyant style, but he was a pillar of the band nonetheless. He stayed to his side of the stage and often wore huge sunglasses, but he quietly gave the band its smooth, jazzy sound.
Last night, I followed the setlist online. I can only imagine how emotional the night was for the fans there and especially the band. Matthews said at the show the band was playing Roi's favorite songs. It is a testament to the band that they soldiered on under the most extreme of circumstances. "There's no place I'd rather be than here with you guys right now," Matthews said to the band and crew, according to a posting on the band's Web site.
Matthews said to the crowd at Staples Center in Los Angeles last night, "It's always easier to leave than be left."
Legions of DMB fans, including myself, are left shocked today. But more importantly, we're left with hours of Roi's music, a strong community of fans and our own memories of Roi.
I was a DMB skeptic until I saw their live show on Oct. 1, 2004 in State College. They played an amazing set. I'm glad I was able to see them before Roi's untimely death.