I had just moved back home looking for work. I stumbled into Northstar Music and met Diane. I noticed Ampegs amps, Spector basses, Fender basses and was baffled. You never see this kind of love for bass players in a small music store. Diane informed me that the owner plays bass. I ended up teaching there and it is one of the greatest chapters of my life. That store connected me to so many lifelong friends. No one could talk about gear and music like Bill. He was kind and so much fun to be around. In between lessons I would play blues with Nils and jam with Eric. Joe Holaday would show me how to play things the right way. I learned so much and was honored to be a part of their world. Bill gave us all a space to meet. He had some of the most monster musicians under one roof sharing their insights and experience in the music business. We communicated on many platforms and usually it consisted of "check out this bass I have" "Check out this bass i want" "check out this bass player" I know that the joy music brought him was the same joy it brings me. Bill was also an amazing bass player. He laid it down so hard and had that touch. Not flashy just straight groove and feel. He has an angel by his side (Kathleen) who supports the chats, the gear, the talk, and the store. This one hurts but I know he is jamming with his heroes and talking shop. I am forever grateful that we could spend some time together recently and do what we do. Sending love to Pauline and Kathleen and the rest of the family.
Guestbook
Thank you, Bill, for all you did for our family - the generous welcome into your home and life, the Thanksgivings and Christmases of happy chaos you invited in, the playing with Brodie, the visits to your music store, playing Allman Brothers songs together in your living room, your support and words of advice in difficult moments, and many other moments of simply enjoying time together. Peace to you and to all those you loved, Martin
I came to know Bill many years ago when my daughter & I started taking guitar lessons at Northstar Music. The first thing that stood out to me was his enthusiasm & his kind & caring heart. There came a time when my little world fell apart & I was facing an uncertain future. Bill reached out to me & offered me a job as the Lesson Coordinator at the store & the rest is history, I became part of the “Northstar family” working there for about 7 years until it closed. Bill’s greatest gift was his eagerness to share & inspire others through his love of music. He developed the lesson program at the store & brought in many gifted friends & musicians to teach there over the years. I believe this brought him more joy than any other aspects of running the store. He was always eager to share his love of all genres of music & encouraged people of all ages to pick up an instrument & learn to make music. Bass, of course was his passion & he was always excited when he got the chance to bring in elite bassists as guest performers to share with the community. The seasonal “Student Performances” were also a highlight of the lesson program with Bill filling in on just about any instrument or vocal when needed! Bill was also a big kid at heart, he had a great sense of humor & liked to be silly & have fun. We had some great times at the store when things were slow, goofing around & playing with the instruments. Like the time he took an electric Ukulele & plugged it into every distortion pedal to see what kind of crazy sounds it could make, lol. Making up silly songs was also a frequent pastime as well. (See uploaded video). And no one could beat his rendition of “Goin up the Country” by Canned Heat, which always made me laugh!! The impromptu jam sessions with the other instructors in between lessons was always entertaining as well! Bill once told me that I was like the big sister he never had & every once in a while I had to put my “Big Sister” hat on to reel him in, lol. I can honestly say it was the most fun I’ve ever had at any job. I think Bill’s legacy will always be this passion for music & his enthusiasm to inspire others to love & make music above all else. He will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched. Although we lost touch over the years, I wanted to share these memories & let Kathleen, his family & his friends know how much his love & kindness impacted my life. My thoughts are with all of you & I know Bill will be at peace now with Brodie by his side once again. In love & light -Diane ❤️
I still can’t believe you’re not sharing the earth with us anymore but I know you’ll always be with us in spirit. Making music together was awesome but you were a super friend as well. Music will never be quite the same . We we locked in and found the pocket there was no stopping us as a rhythm section. I’m so glad that you and Kathleen found each other. You love and connection was deep genuine and obvious to anyone paying attention. Lisa and I will always be there for her. The Ludwig’s you sold me just became even more special. I’ll think of you every time I play it. I’m so glad we spent time together at Patty and Frank’s last Saturday. While one more jam together would have been great, it was more important that you were there and surrounded by people who loved you. This isn’t goodbye-it’s just so long for now. Say Hi to your Dad, Geno and Johanne, and give Brodie kisses and a belly rub for me. I’ll miss you brother 💔❤️
Billy and I grew up together like siblings even though we were cousins. We lived very close by, but rarely saw one another as we got older because life just gets in the way. My heart is broken for him and his wife Kathleen and especially for his Mom, my Aunt Pauline. I can only hope that he is beside his Dad and his Aunt Alice in heaven. We spent many summers at camp in Ossipee, NH floating, swimming and playing at the lake. The annual horseback riding adventures and blueberry picking are my most favorite camp memories, not to mention the parties we had in the cellar on Low St in our teens. His music was his passion and I am sure he is playing before the Angels Choir and teaching them a thing or two about Rock and Roll. I love you Bill, until we meet again! <3