Rick D., RIP
I didn’t know Rick D. as well as some, but it was always a pleasure to play at his bar, the TriTone. The red walls, darkened windows, and Christmas lights reminded me of the atmosphere at the legendary 9C in Manhattan, which Neil Clearyonce described as “Christmas in Hell.”
In fact, Rick reminded me of Roger, the bartender at 9C, except where Roger looked like a grown-up skinhead, Rick looked like a grown up rockabilly fan. Other than that, from my experience, there was a penny’s worth of difference between the two men, who boasted great bars, great venues for country AND punk bands, great jukeboxes, and who both ran an honest establishment.
I was just at the TriTone two Saturdays ago, and during the final band, I had to retrieve a microphone that I’d brought. The mic was unlabeled, but Rick trusted my word that it was mine (after I described a particular dent in the windscreen), and helped me make the switch between songs.
Like I said, I didn’t know Rick that well: he was gruff on the outside, but I think that was a front. Among the various bars and clubs in Philadelphia, the TriTone was one you could count on to treat you well, pay you at the end of the night, and show you a good time.
I’ll miss you man.
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April 9th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
[...] Rick D., RIP [...]