passing of Chris "Smick" Klym

[jeremy_kosmac]

It is with great sadness and regret that I am passing on news of the death of long time friend and Johnstown drummer Chris Klym. Chris was kind individual, always devoted to the music that he produced, and always passionate and expressive to the highest possible level through his drumming. Chris was well known in the Johnstown music circles via his tenure with such acts as; the Desperadoes, Trick Bag Soul, Who's Your Daddy?, work with Jenny Drummy, and recently Tree. Chris was my first real inspiration in the drumming community. I remember being 14 and going (with dad) to Hollern's Tavern in Dale to see the Despo's. Chris was more than happy to let me sit in, and my love affair w/ the drums has lasted ever since. I always looked up to Chris as a mentor, and always watched him play with intense and undivided attention, hoping to pick up a new lick, or just admiring the "feeling" that he put into every stroke. Chris you will be sadly missed. I"m sure you're up there w/ Bill Ludwig Jr. right now reminiscing about old kits. Keep the groove tight and deep, and play on my friend into eternity!

[DogAlpha]

Sorry for the loss of your friend. I don't know you or your lost buddy but I know what loss is and I can feel you. Take Care!

[Jim Price]

Wow.

I didn't get to talk to him, but I saw Chris in attendance just last Wednesday night at the Night of Rock, Rhythm & Blues at Ace's in Johnstown.

I'm very surprised and saddened by his passing. Chris was always pleasant to talk to, had great admiration and support for his fellow musicians, and was very talented behind the kit. He could handle anything from rock to blues to jazz to folk and more. I had the pleasure to see Chris in action with several bands over the years, including Tree, Trick Bag Soul, Jenny Drummey, Ribbon Grass, Frankie & the Nomads and Who's Your Daddy.

Chris was a talented drummer, and an all-around nice guy. He'll be sorely missed.

Here are a few pictures of Chris I've taken over the years:


Chris performing with Ribbon Grass at Ace's Lounge during the 2002 Johnstown Folkfest.

Chris, performing with Jenny Drummey during the 2007 Johnstown Folkfest.

Chris performing with Tree during the 2008 Prince Gallitzin State Park Apple Cider Festival.

The last time I saw Chris in action, performing with Tree at Thunder In The Valley this past June.

[Diavolo]

I'm floored and saddened by this news. In the past few years, I starting drumming with some of the same musicians Smick's played with for years. I must have heard "Smick does it like this" a few hundred times. He had a big heart and always had an encouraging word for me. He was kind to let me sit in on occasion and it was a pleasure to see him display his magic on my kit. The guy had a great touch, a funky way of playing, perfect time, and clearly had a passion for music. He leaves a big void in the music community.

[moxham123]

I am extremely saddened to hear the news of another one of my Johnstown area fellow musicians and former bandmates passing away. Chris and I have known each other for many years going back to the early 70s but never got to play together until the 90s. We played many jam sessions together at Jim & Jimmie's as the main band. We played together with Frankie & The Nomads for several gigs. I sat in with Chris for a few songs with Who's Your Daddy on occasion. And, Chris was one of the first drummers for The Conniptions. He helped us get off the ground when we got started back in 2001 and played with us the first few months until we found a permanent drummer. He and I always locked in and played well together as he was a human metronome. He was always a top notch drummer and could play anything. He was a go to fill in drummer and could do an excellent job on the spur of the moment. I greatly enjoyed playing with him and hearing him with other bands. I last saw him perform with Tree. He was always very respectful of his fellow musicians. I am glad I had the opportunity to have known and played with such a great drummer.

He will be greatly missed.

[greaser]

i feel extremely fortunate to have had the chance to know Chris over the past year or so.

great person. great drummer.

my sincere condolences to his friends and family.

[Banned]

i didn't know him but i'm sorry to hear about his demise, he looks too young to be of natural causes. Was it a heart attack?

[REDillon]

R I P Chris. Hell of a nice guy and one hell of a drummer. He will be missed.

[dayzichick]

I conned Chris into "filling in" for Ribbon Grass a few times and he ended up staying on as our drummer for well over a year, maybe even two years. I met him through the Oldies Spring Break show in the mid-nineties. When our drummer quit, I knew he'd be our go-to guy. He absolutely hated playing our electronic kit but he did it anyway and it got to be a running joke how much he hated playing that kit. (he's playing it in pictures that JP posted above). We all just spent the day together in August at the Flood City Music Festival and he got us backstage for Derek Trucks . . . . I will miss my friend.

[jeremy_kosmac]

the services for Chris will be at Frank Duca Funeral Home, 1622 Menoher Blvd. in Johnstown, PA 15905. Friends/Family will meet on Thursday 10 December 2009 at 10:00 am.

[moxham123]

Christopher S. Klym obituary

KLYM – Christopher S., 56, Westmont, died Nov. 27, 2009. Son of Dorothy D. and Edward J. Klym. Preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Julie Mathews Klym. Survived by sister, Cynthia, married to Kim Kunkle; brother, Edward, Pittsburgh; nieces and nephew, Lindsay and Kyle Kunkle and Berit and Aleen Klym; dear friends, Denny Regan and Beverly Maser; and a wealth of other friends whom he treasured. He was a 1971 graduate of Westmont Hilltop High School. Chris was a gifted and popular drummer. During his career, he played with many bands including Kindred Spirit, Shawn Colvin and the Dixie Diesels, Jump 'n' Saddle, Cigarette, Trick Bag Soul and most recently, Tree. Friends received from 10 a.m. Thursday until time of funeral service at 11:30 a.m. at Frank Duca Funeral Home, Westmont Chapel, 1622 Menoher Blvd. Private interment at Grandview Cemetery, following the service. At a future date, a musical tribute will be held for friends to celebrate Chris' life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Johnstown Free Medical Clinic, 320 Main St., Johnstown, Pa. 15901, in the name of Chris Klym.

[RamRod 1]

Sadly Missed.

[onetooloud]

Wow what to say. Everyone Ive talked with was and is shocked that this man is gone.

Anytime I ever saw Smick walking onto a stage I knew I was in for a treat. At least twice in the past few months I was lucky to have him cross one of my stages.

Hard to believe he never will again.

I've heard he was involved with production of the Dr. Demento show on top of everything else..

[Drum-Wolf]

I am shocked & saddened by the news of Chris's passing. This guy is nothing short of a regional drumming/music legend & institution. His playing was smooth & with feeling. I'd seen him in various bands & ripping up songs like "Whipping Post", "Moondance", ect. I certainly admired his playing. He was friendly as was previously mentioned. This is a huge loss to music in general.

[ncfolkie]

I have know Chris for almost 50 years. When I was 12 years old playing in my neighborhood my friends and I heard a tremendous noise from a block away from my house. We followed that noise arriving at Chris's back porch where he and Doug Corbin were jamming with another friend. Life as I knew it changed at that point. Wow, I had a friend in a rock band. How awesome that feeling was. The first rock band I was in was with two other friends, Chris and myself. We never got out of my garage but I was never happier. I'm not sure how many more times I played with Chris, but there were alot. Over twenty years ago I moved to North Carolina. Last year I came home to Johnstown and had a chance to play with my old friends and former bandmates "The Desperados" and my other great friends Jenny Drummey and Chris. We played at City Lights and I had the best time in forever. Chris as he had always been was as kind and giving as he had always been. When the night was over and we gave one another a hug I had no idea it would be my last with him. Chris changed my life forever. He gave a sense of belonging that guided my love of music to this day. I will never stop loving my great friend. He was an always will be a great presence in my life. He is a lasting soul who touched us all with his love.

[backlash]

Drum on , drum on ......It goes to to show , you just never know until its too late .

[jeremy_kosmac]

I received this email in reply to one I sent, notifying Bermuda of Smick's passing. Smick and Bermuda were old friends from way back. For those of you who don't know, John "Bermuda" Schwartz is/has been the drummer for "Wierd" Al's band since they formed.

Hi Jeremy,

I was indeed a friend of Smik and got the news and details early yesterday. I hadn't spoken to him in several months, maybe a year, and of course I wish now that I'd been more diligent staying in touch. In fact, I just mailed his Christmas card Monday.

We'd try to get together when Al played Pittsburgh and spent the day with him the one time we played close to Johnstown.

It's just incredibly sad.

Bermuda

[kickinband]

I had just heard the news of my buddy Chris Klym passing. Chris will be missed very much as a friend and as a musician. The Johnstown and surrounding area has just lost the "BEST" all around drummer. Chris had played with almost every band around. I feel honored that he had played with Country Appeal for a few months back in the early 2000's. He had the knowledge, feel, and love of music to play any Genre needed. He played with so much intensity and he felt the groove no matter when you saw him play. He had inspired my son Gerald with his playing. I could remember my son saying, "I want to play just like Chris when I grow up." Thanks to my friend Chris and his kind words of wisdom and encouragement to Gerald, he stuck with it and he is now a drummer in the United States Army band playing proudly for our troops serving in Afghanistan. Chris, thanks for being a great person and sharing your talent with everyone you crossed paths with. We will miss you tremendously. You will now perform on the Worlds biggest stage with some of the greatest musicians ever. "Rock On"
Steve Mattis

[dayzichick]

There will be some sort of musical tribute/memorial type thing at some future date. I do not have any details but I'm sure it will be posted on here when it is planned. I hear it is in the works? We can have one hell of a celebration of Chris's life!

[dayzichick]

The Chris Klym Memorial Jam is set for Sunday, December 27th at 5 p.m. at Aces Lounge in Johnstown. There is no cover charge and it is open to the public. There is an array of bands scheduled to play, sorry I don't have the list with me here at work but I can post that later if people want to know who is playing. I can remember the following from the list:

Jeff Perigo Band
The Chi
Flowerchild
TREE
Who's Your Daddy
Frankie and the Nomads
Johnstown Classic Rockers

and I think I'm missing a few. I can put you in touch with the organizer's email address, so email me if you'd like to talk to him.

[TREEtheband]

I would like to see more pictures of Smik....from anytime. If you got 'em ... post 'em

[floodcitybrass]

You can find pictures at Bill Rogers' site:

http://br-digiphoto.com/0912MUSKLYM/