Eric Vincent "Fat Vinny" Kelly passes...

nakedtwister · Post by **nakedtwister** » Sunday Feb 22, 2009

This is very sad news. I used to love to see the Wise Guys playing. In fact his music is one of the inspirations for me to get into singing the Blues. His memory will live on in my soul and his music. RIP Blues Brother.

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Sunday Feb 22, 2009

What a loss to to local and regional music scene , My Prayers go out to his family. Live , and love life is short. Deb

YankeeRose · Post by **YankeeRose** » Monday Feb 23, 2009

When I heard the sad news Sunday afternoon, I recalled I'd seen Vinny at various venues, first at The Hitching Post. For some reason a particular instance is standing out, when Vinny attended a One Voice Musical Showcase (I believe it was called), at the then City Limits; although I know I saw and spoke to him after that. I heard Vinny singing "The Jack" on The Homegrown Rocker last week, and "The River", tonight...

What a shock, he will be missed. My Prayers and sympathy go to his family and close friends.

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Monday Feb 23, 2009

Jesus.

I first met Eric at the corner of 4th and Washington streets in Huntingdon at the WHUN-WLAK studios when he came to work there in the late-'80s. He worked evenings down the hall on the "AM side" when I worked the 7-midnight shift on the FM. Needless to say, there were many opportunities for us to chat and forge a friendship. He was smart and quick-witted and always seemed to have something humorous to share.

Years put distance between us and I lost touch with him but it was great when I entered the local music scene as a performer to run into him again, both on local stages and here, on Rockpage. Vin was a class act and was always ready to help someone out, as has already been said here. His onstage persona was that of a pro and his confidence and humility regarding his craft defined him.

Eric was larger than life. I can't believe we lost another brother. Rest well, my friend.

r:>)

ZappasXWife · Post by **ZappasXWife** » Monday Feb 23, 2009

The dude helped me get through Stat 200 at the Altoona Campus one summer. He made things seem easy. And that was before I saw him perform. Then I was really impressed! Really smart guy. RIP Eric.

DirtySanchez · Post by **DirtySanchez** » Monday Feb 23, 2009

RIP VINNY!

He actually worked for me about a year or so ago. I can agree with what everyone here has said. Great guy!

Post by **Ron** » Monday Feb 23, 2009

Wow. I first met Eric when he sat in front of me in a speech com class at the Altoona campus. We shared a lot of laughs in that class. He was quite a character, a smart dude and a great player. RIP Vin.

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Monday Feb 23, 2009

Did Vin have immediate family in the area? Any children? If so, it would be fitting to do something for them. If not, it would still be fitting that we schedule the next RP Jam as a memorial in his honor. Maybe we could talk to his bandmates and try to decide a fitting charity to donate the proceeds to.

He touched a lot of lives in this scene and I for one would like to honor him and the music he gave us.

r:>)

DirtySanchez · Post by **DirtySanchez** » Monday Feb 23, 2009

BadDazeRob wrote:Did Vin have immediate family in the area? Any children? If so, it would be fitting to do something for them. If not, it would still be fitting that we schedule the next RP Jam as a memorial in his honor. Maybe we could talk to his bandmates and try to decide a fitting charity to donate the proceeds to.

He touched a lot of lives in this scene and I for one would like to honor him and the music he gave us.

r:>)

Good Idea!

Mysterytrain · Post by **Mysterytrain** » Monday Feb 23, 2009

I once lived in Juniata I would visit him and Joe at the music store. We had great conversations about music and other topics. Their band also donated their time to us at a few Festivals/Fundraisers that I have put together in the past.

If there is a benefit being organized please let me know at 814-330-6681. We would love to be a part of it.

Your friend,
Dan Klock

Post by **Jim Price** » Monday Feb 23, 2009

I thought I'd share this with everyone. Sterling Koch paid homage to Eric in the latest edition of 61 South's weekly newsletter:

On A Sad Note: We mark the passing of a venerable blues man, good friend of 61 South band steel guitarist Sterling Koch and all around ripping good slide guitarist Eric Vincent "Fat Vinny" Kelly. Vinny was the guitarist vocalist and band leader of his own Fat Vinny and The Wiseguys. Vin was a true flag bearer for the blues. A curmudgeonly 41 years of age, Vinny passed away this past Saturday from a massive heart attack. We ask for your prayers and kind thoughts for him, his band members, family and all who knew the big man in this time of passing.

Altoona PA In the middle of the night
Six strings down On the heaven-bound flight
Got a pick, a strap, guitar on his back
Ain’t gonna cut the angels no slack
Heaven done called Another blues-stringer back home

See the voodoo chile Holding out his hand
I’ve been waitin’ on you brother Welcome to the band
Good blues-stringin’ Heaven-fine singin’
Jesus, Mary and Joseph Been lis’nin’ to your playin’
Heaven done called
Another blues-stringer back home
Lord they called
Another blues-stringer back home

(Thanks to guitarist Jimmy Vaughan for the lyric)

Fly on Vinny!

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Monday Feb 23, 2009

BadDazeRob wrote:Did Vin have immediate family in the area? Any children? If so, it would be fitting to do something for them. If not, it would still be fitting that we schedule the next RP Jam as a memorial in his honor. Maybe we could talk to his bandmates and try to decide a fitting charity to donate the proceeds to.

He touched a lot of lives in this scene and I for one would like to honor him and the music he gave us.

r:>)

He lived with his mother on 16th street in Duncansville. I see her pretty often. I am not aware of any other immediate family in the local area. As per the obituary:

"In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital."

YankeeRose · Post by **YankeeRose** » Monday Feb 23, 2009

www.stjude.org/donate

RamRod 1 · Post by **RamRod 1** » Monday Feb 23, 2009

ToonaRockGuy · Post by **ToonaRockGuy** » Tuesday Feb 24, 2009

Just a suggestion. Eric is going to be cremated and buried in his hometown. There could be a benefit for his mom to help with expenses, or donated to St. Jude's in Eric's name.

Don Hughes · Post by **Don Hughes** » Tuesday Feb 24, 2009

Vinny gave me my first local music gig recording some keys on a couple of songs on his last album. The brief time I knew him he was always there to lend some advice on anything. I'll never forget what he did for me.

Don

Post by **Jim Price** » Wednesday Feb 25, 2009

I've been asked to pass this along:

To Our Musical Brothers & Sisters:

At this time in our lives, we're asking a ton of questions - but the one question we don't have to ask is "Is anybody else hurting and missing Vinny the way we are!?" Through your phone calls, e-mails, posts, and every other conceivable way of communication you have unbelievably answered that! Thank you. We are both humbled by the loving response that all of you are pouring out. The Wiseguys not only lost our leader, we lost our best friend. And it seems that our brothers and sisters in our music family have lost someone pretty important to them too! God bless.

Respectfully,

Randy Ketner & Jeff VanClief

Jones · Post by **Jones** » Thursday Feb 26, 2009

Wow. RIP Vinny.

Count me in if there's any sort of benefit show. Good chance to brush off the blues chops.

PanzerFaust · Post by **PanzerFaust** » Friday Feb 27, 2009

Just logged into Facebook for the first time in about 2 weeks......

Had 2 friend requests......

1 was from "Fat Vinney"....

Damn that sux....... Christ ! I still have Jeff Showalter in my cell phone......

Just wanted to vent.. Peace, Tood

Post by **Jim Price** » Tuesday Mar 03, 2009

A special memorial service for Eric has been set up.

The service will take place on Sunday, March 22, at Mardorf United Methodist Church, one mile past the Penn State Altoona Campus along Juniata Gap Road. A gathering will begin at 1:30 PM, with the service itself starting at 2:30. Anybody who knew Eric - musicians, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, etc. - is welcome to attend.

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Saturday Mar 07, 2009

Thanks Jim, ill be attending.
A Blues Benefit for Eric is in the works. More to come.

Big Jimi Cee · Post by **Big Jimi Cee** » Sunday Mar 08, 2009

Bobby,

Just a thought, if you are going to do a benefit it might be a nice touch to do an evening of music from the Wiseguys' CDs, basically pay tribute by playing an evening of Eric's music. Get each band to learn a couple of the Wiseguys tunes and let them do their own renditions of the songs.

Just a thought

nickname · Post by **nickname** » Sunday Mar 08, 2009

Eric was a class act! I met him at Cool Beans coffee shop in downtown Altoona in 1997. Sadly, I moved from the area and never got to see him with the Wiseguys:( He will be missed.

tornandfrayed · Post by **tornandfrayed** » Wednesday Mar 11, 2009

In memory of

ROCKPAGE

Eric Vincent "Fat Vinny" Kelly passes...

Mystic Music Friend

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