Cherished local promoter and drummer Jimmy Pagano's life will receive a long, heartfelt look during a memorial tribute held at America's Backyard this Sunday.
Pagano, who died in mid-April after a violent altercation at Fishtales Bar & Grill in Fort Lauderdale, had built a strong rapport with the local jam community as well as thousands of area music fans. Right before his death, he was organizing a memorial tribute for another fallen musician, drummer Nate Aiello.
This event will feature a raffle and silent auction to benefit the Jimmy Pagano Music Program and Scholarship Fund. The new charity "will offer financial assistance to student musicians and fund the music program at the Dan Marino Foundation Florida Vocational Campus, opening fall of 2011, in Fort Lauderdale," according to the Marino Foundation's website. Additionally, funds raised from food and drink sales will go to place a memorial brick at Fort Lauderdale Riverfront.
Here is a collection of sincere messages from the music scene that Pagano helped nurture for so many years.
Judy Blem: "Jimmy Pagano was more than 'a local drummer.' He was a man with a huge heart who never hesitated to organize a benefit when a fellow musician was in need. He was a man who poured his heart and soul into helping others without expecting anything in return. He was a man with big dreams whose optimism was contagious. He was a man who taught me to brush off negativity and start every single day with a positive thought. I am overwhelmed with grief over the loss of such a wonderful human being, my friend for over 20 years. May you rest in peace."
Bobby DeVito: "On April 7, Jimmy Pagano called me to do a gig with him, as he had done many times over the years. We did a Jam Nite at Cagney's, and I was a member of the host band that evening on guitar. I feel very grateful that I was able to play one last gig with Jimmy a week before he was killed. He was the hardest-working man on the South Florida music scene, and I don't think anyone has the drive and energy to replace him."
Joel DaSilva: "Jimmy was always nice to me. Always took his time to talk to me to see how things were going and what I was doing no matter how busy he was at the time, and I'll always remember that."
Dar Lopez: "Everyone who knew Jimmy, or really even met him, knew he had a heart of gold. He was always there for his friends, to lend a hand if anyone needed it, and to support music. He was one-of-a-kind, a true giver, and never wanted anything in return. Rest in peace, Jimmy. You will not be forgotten."
Michael Fabian: "Jimmy Pagano was a friend from back in New York and again in Florida. He was one of the hardest-working guys I know in the music business. He was also the man behind the Southern Hot Rod Association's Battle of the Bands: Rock & Racing. Without Jimmy, we never could have done this."
Jay Cummings: "I knew Jimmy as a hard-working drummer, and he knew me. Drummers are a rare breed and share a common bond, which we did. He always complimented me on my drumming technique and my sound, and coming from him, it always meant a lot. Godspeed, Jimmy. You will be missed."
Bob Moshen: "I met Jimmy back in 1979, when he first moved to Florida. After a short time, we opened up a business together. We lost track of each other for about 25 years, but when I called him up, it was just like old times. I let him know that my son and daughter were playing music, and he invited us with open arms to come in and play. He had a heart of gold."
Lori Grundman Syvante: "Every time I saw Jimmy, he was putting something together. He always found a way to play with all kinds of different musicians and had a love for music, life, excitement, cooking, and enjoying every day as it came."
David "Zeta" Hall: "I'm so proud to have played music and shared ideas and dreams with this man. I hope we will continue to perpetuate the love and creativity that Jimmy wanted for us each day and not allow the actions of an awful person to tarnish the wonderful, higher vibration of love and creativity that Jimmy Pagano stood for. I will always remember looking back to see him with a set of sticks in his hand and a smile on his face."
