Hello Bob,

Michele with one L here! It's just by chance that I logged onto this site and you saw what I posted about my dear friend. Thank you so much for your very kind words. It's been a sad week so far. Chris and I had worked together for over 20 years here in Pittsburgh. I haven't been singing much. 2017 was very slow and I don't have any gigs for 2018 yet. I'm still writing and creating and hoping to feel better health wise. Would love to catch up with you at some point. Wishing you all the best, Michele Bensen

Great comment, Bob, thanks for your input. I moved to Pittsburgh in 1971 to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I used to go to Sonny Day's Stage Door in Oakland where I heard Eric play with Spider Rondinelli on Drums and Vince Genova on piano. I don't remember who played bass. I read where Spider passed in 2017, and I believe Vince passed years ago, from cancer, if I am not mistaken. I loved Eric's interpretation (including his vocal) of "Bye Bye Blackbird." Also, that combo did a fantastic cover of Sonny Rollin's "St. Thomas." I have the album "Life Force" (which includes "Nocturno") on vinyl, but nothing to play it on. I have been looking for "Nocturno" in digital form for about 25 years, and when I found it, I just had to make a video around it. I repaired a piece of furniture for Vince back in the 1970's. He was one of the kindest and most humble human beings I ever met. Everyone in Spider's combo were great people and loved what they did. A lot of great musicians would sit in with them here and there. Those were great days.