There was still not much happening in the music scene that truly interested him, during the '90s, except The Brian Jonestown Massacre and their various spinoffs and associated groups, many of which he recorded, while also releasing archive material from Spacemen 3 and more '60s garage compilations. In 1998 he experienced severe kidney failure, leading to a year or more on dialysis, which really took a toll on his energy; fortunately Patrick Boissel of Alive/ Total Energy Records took time aside to help prepare some Bomp projects, including Dead Boys and Iggy Pop releases and a couple of compilations. In May of '99 Greg received the pancreas/kidney transplant he's been waiting for all his life, which turned out to be a very traumatic operation requiring many months of gradual recuperation. Fortunately his struggle was lightened by his beloved son, Tristan, born in 1992, who despite problems of his own , is as beautiful and clever as any parent could wish, and with whom Greg enjoys the many pleasures of parenthood....
Miami Steve mourns him:
- "He was an extraordinarily important individual in the history of rock 'n' roll," Steven Van Zandt, lead guitarist in Bruce Springsteen's band and the host of the syndicated radio show "Little Steven's Underground Garage," said Friday. "He was literally responsible for the contemporary garage-rock movement, which he single-handedly started with the Bomp! label."
"However you choose to honor Greg's memory-- do it with anything but a moment of silence" - Suzy Shaw
Article comments
1 - Jim Carruthers
What's really sad about this obit is in the coming years how rare the statement: "he/she made a real difference in music" will be.
But geez, 55? That's mortality looking you in the face.
There was an article in The Observer today about Iggy Pop who was a Bomp! veteran.
2 - Mike Kole
Eric- thanks for this post. I wouldn't have known about Greg Shaw's passing if it weren't for you putting it up here. (Nose deep into political grindstone.)
I'm eternally grateful to Shaw and Bomp! for the Stiv Bators solo LP "Disconnected" and for the Wierdos' ep "1977, 1978, 1979", and Shaw's contributions to the Nuggets and Pebbles comps.
Man, 55 is just too young.
3 - Julie Patchouli
Greg Shaw was and still is a pioneer in the Rock N Roll World. He introduced particular genre's to many generations that without his introduction probably would not have seen the light of day due to its rarity and obscurity. This is Julie Patchouli, bass player for the famed "Pandoras" signed to Greg's label Voxx.
Greg Shaw's inspiration and true enlightenment will be missed. Greg was always big hearted, eventhough we, (the"Pandoras") never recieved a salary per say, Greg paid us in merchandise, he would allow us to run wild in his warehouse and pick out whatever we wanted.... I felt like a kid in a candy store!! Thanks Greg !! We love you and miss you.....
Sincerely
Julie Patchouli
4 - Eric Olsen
thanks Julie, I saw you guys play a few times in LA and you rocked!
5 - Douglas Mays
Yes, BOMP was a label that made a difference in the modern world. Greg's work was a crucial cog in the wheel of modern independent music in the USA. The artwork alone on some of the albums were worth it (Calamari/Zincavage/Pettengill).
Anyway, good job Greg, maybe you can serve as A&R for the astral world. We could use it here on earth...
peacloveguidance
6 - Susan (Sutton) Crawford
I first got to know Greg through Phonograph Record Magazine, which I LOVED. I was 16 and had written to ask for a copy of the issue with a cover article he wrote on John Fogerty, saying how much I loved it. Imagine my surprise when it showed up in my mailbox with a really great letter from Greg himself. A few years later, I had become a big fan of Dave Edmunds et al, and started going to alot of club shows in L.A., just an hour from where I lived (Ventura), and had printed up a fanzine of two of my own (Top Of The Rockpile). Again, Greg helped me out. He had that wonderful little Bomp store where I could find so MANY cool things, where so MANY cool people hung out, spilling out onto the sidewalk in that cheesy L.A. neighborhood it was in. In my mind, it will always be there, a freeze-frame memory, circa 1977.
Thanks for being there, Greg, and...do they have mimeograph machines where you're at now??? I bet they do.