“I know my music cannot change the world, but I know my music can change someone’s moment.” – Randy Ponzio
It’s with an incredibly heavy heart that I write this post tonight. If you’re a fan of Burgo’s Music Blog on Facebook, you might have seen my post on Wednesday asking for help from anyone in the Vancouver area in finding Randy Ponzio, a local muso who had gone missing. It’s since been released that Randy has been found dead.
Randy exuded joy on the stage (with Little T)… poor sound quality, but it captures Randy’s free spirit.
I first came across Randy about 4 years ago, although his first mention on this blog was back in 2008 when the Questpoetics made it onto my “Best of 2008” roundup. After that post, we actually struck up one of those online “friendships” that seems to often happen between musicians and music bloggers. They’re often surface things, more a way of keeping in contact for future releases than anything else. But this one was different. I’d be lying if I said it was more than a passing friendship, but Randy was the type of dude that felt like a friend with the smallest conversations.
On my birthdays, he would stop by my Facebook profile, and wish me a happy birthday in his breezy-cool way, calling me a “cat” more often than not. I’d occasionally stop by his page when I had something to share, and – for my part – I’d call him “brother”. Because the guy had that effect on you. You cared about him. You really did. And he seemed to care about you.
The musical world has lost a true shining star. Randy was filled with just so much positivity, you really felt like he was going to change the world. And it was honestly just the beginning for him.
Although “The Sound Campaign” in 2008 was a truly rocking release, it was his win in ShoreFM’s song search competition in August that was getting him some well-deserved exposure.
For the People by Randy Ponzio
Randy leaves behind 3 children, who he loved more than life itself. Just take a look at the below video, because it’s all about “love, peace, foundation and family”. This was shot the day after the Vancouver hockey riots…
Randy was spreading the love while kids on the block were painting the plywood and giving out free hugs.
If you can help his family, please visit helprandyponzio.com.
As a bonus, Randy had always put out his tunes for free to gain exposure. As such, here’s his LP, “A Sound Campaign” below. I’ll miss you, Randy. You were one cool cat.
5 replies on “RIP Randy Ponzio… shining light.”
It must have taken a lot of strength to write this post. I’ve read a post left by a friend of his on his Facebook wall, and I quote: ” He raised the bar for humanity. If you loved Randy, be more like him, it’s what he would have wanted.”
I thought that truly captured it…
That’s beautiful Stephanie… and oh-so-true. I’ll be trying to live up to that.
Oh I didnt write it, but I sure will try to live up to it as well. And through that I’m sure I’ll get to appreciate Randy even more… :)
A beautiful post. I too struck up an online friendship with Randy and I’m gutted he’s gone. He was inspirational.
“Randy was filled with just so much positivity, you really felt like he was going to change the world.” – I totally agree. It’s such a shame when a light so bright is extinguished. :(
Randy’s sister Crystal was my sister’s BFF growing up, and my heart is heavy with this news. Randy was a lot like my late father — with a knack for the guitar and a positive attitude that was contagious. In fact, during one of Randy’s first trips to Vancouver, he took my father’s guitar with him. Now two brilliant hands, gone too soon, have touched that guitar. When my dad passed in 1994, there was no YouTube, no easy way to distribute music, and internet involved a couple of tones followed by clicks as one dialed their way to communicate. I am grateful that Randy’s presence online is available for the world. His music is timeless. His legacy almost infinite. You will be missed, Randy. Hugs and love to the Ponzio family.