Now, nearly 35 years later, I still recall watching Zero Ted play Traffic's "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" that night. It may now be a rock classic but, as I sit here today, it probably was the first time this then teenage kid heard it. Why that performance of that particular song on that particular night has always stuck out in my mind I can't really say. Maybe I realized that my home state could produce top notch musicianst. Maybe actually seeing see such music performed live helped reinforce a broader musical horizon, one I was already starting to stretch via other sounds of that era. I know I bought the Traffic album of the same name at my first opportunity.
Sure, it was kind of neat to pull out Ponty's Imaginary Voyage in college and see Craney's name. Still, whenever I hear "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys," I think of Zero Ted. Whenever I have heard or saw Mark Craney's name, I thought of that night. I know it immediately came to mind when I read of his death Wednesday morning.
Mark Craney's passing is surely a loss to his friends, family and fellow musicians. Yet I am sure I am far from the only person he unknowingly affected with his life and talents, affected in a way that made my life better and which I will always remember. That says a hell of a lot about his life.
Thanks Mark.
Article comments
1 - uao
This is very good writing Tim, and an excellent eulogy for Craney, whom I confess I've never heard of (although I know the bands you've mentioned).
Thanks for posting this; to me, this is why music is so important; for the impressions it leaves that stay with us our whole lives.
2 - MrFarf
Thanks much Tim for your wonderful comments about a "most excellent" drummer and musician. I saw Mark drum for Jethro Tull on the "A" concert tour and was dumbfounded when I heard Ian Anderson introduce Mark as being from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined a Tull drummer coming from America's heartland. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the "A" show emmensely and treasure my copy of the "Slipstream" video(and now DVD). What a great way for Mark's talents to be permanently available for all drummers, Tull fans and musicians. I wish I had "had" the opportunity to meet Mark once upon a time and to offer my words of compliments and congratulations but I'm sure he is aware of my profound feelings of respect for him and his musical efforts. Mark...YA DONE GOOD!
3 - ccccitab
RIP Marc Craney!
As You describe Tim, I have also felt a deep impact from the works of this wonderful musician. Not many people in this world, let alone musicians or drummers (!), can be remembered at all for making any kind of mark in other peoples mind and this man managed to do so "simply" by playing drums on some recordings from the late 1970 and early 1980.
The first recording I heard with Marc was Brother to Brother and for many years I did not know the name of the excellent drummer (this was before the internet and PC's kids!), but I listened to it over and over again for years - still do!
I read an interview with Marc were he raised the question of self worth and I would like to raise the following questions: 1. What would have become of the brother to brother and nightwalker albums had another drummer recorded it? 2. How big would Gino Vanelli had become without the signature drumming of Marc Craney on those albums? I am not saying that Gino would not have managed, but I am simply raising the question of Marcs actual input/impact and just keeping on the thread of his own question of self worth...
Thanks,
//MG, Stockholm - Sweden