TWO MORE MEMBERS OF THE AREA MUSIC COMMUNITY ARE GONE...

[Jim Price]

This area's music scene experienced two more losses this week.

On Sunday night, Loy Appleman passed away. He was a respected drum instructor in the Altoona area, and was a member of the 28th Division Infantry Band of the Pennsylvania National Guard for 30 years. He also performed with the Altoona Symphony and the group The Three D's. He was 80.

And George Tsikalis, who drummed for the Northern Cambria County-based band P-S-T, was killed in an auto accident near Carrolltown on Thursday. George had just celebrated his 51st birthday last Friday (the 7th).

I had seen George with P-S-T several times during their time on area stages in the mid/late 90's. (George was the "T" in the band, along with singer/guitarist Denny "P" Pompa and bassist/singer Rick "S" Sherry.) George was pleasant, but a bit on the shy and humble side. He taught 6th grade at Central Cambria Middle School, which played into my most lasting memory of George.

I had gone to see P-S-T at Jake's Inn in Loretto on July 15, 1995. I had taken a good photo of George playing the drums, and sent it in as a "Hot Shot" to Pennsylvania Musician. George's bandmates, Denny and Rick, hatched a funny gag for George when the photo appeared in the magazine a month or two later. Before George had a chance to see his picture in the magazine, they conspired with several of George's students, and gave them copies of the magazine. The next day, when George arrived in the classroom, his students brought the magazines up to him and asked for his autograph! Humble and softspoken as he was, George was shocked and got a big laugh out of it.

I had only met George a few times at P-S-T shows, but he was always pleasant, and well-respected by his bandmates. And as a teacher for 23 years, he was an asset to the community.

Please think of George Loy and their families in your thoughts and prayers this weekend.


George Tsikalis, performing with P-S-T at Jake's Inn, Loretto 7/15/95

[tonefight]

George was my neighbor as well as my 6th grade teacher and middle school wrestling coach. We had jammed a few times within the last year with his son Steve on bass and had a lot of fun. George was a very good hearted and freindly individual, and the first teacher I can say I liked, He will be missed in Ebensburg and by many Central Cambria graduates.

I feel deeply for his Son and daughter and wish them the strength to deal with this tradgedy.

[Mo Lester]

of course I needed to bump this one up, too. I didn't know Loy, rest his soul, but George was one of my very best friends. He used to come out and play Conga drums with Stix and Stones. He didn't even know any of the songs, but he would lock up with us like it was meant to be. I have a lot of stuff to remember him by that he has given to me over the years, music stand, little percussion doo dads, and I have his conga drums in my studio, and a tobacco pipe with a pouch of half and half, which I still have and I think I'll go have a puff of right now. I think of George just about every day...................................

[lonewolf]

My Grandfather knew Loy since the "big band" days when they were both active in the local music scene. When I was 16 in 1975, Grampap took me over to Loy's house for the 1st time to sign up for the AF of M. I will never forget that day, he was one of the nicest guys I ever met. He will be sorely missed.

[RamRod 1]

Loy used to collect our Union dues.
RIP Loy