January 4, 2007
From 2001 to 2003, I was a staff copy editor at Esquire magazine. It was my first taste of corporate America: Esquire is owned by Hearst Magazines, a gigantic, somewhat shadowy private corporation that was rumored to be operated out of a castle somewhere on the Northern California coast.
There were, of course, many cool people in that office, but one of my favorites was Bob Riley. This was not only because Bob, as the magazine’s tech guy, bailed me and my computer out of numerous jams. It was also because Bob was warm, calm, utterly professional–and cool. He used to wear a really nice brown leather jacket.
Later I learned that his coolness was no front, but the real rock ‘n’ roll deal: Throughout the eighties, he was an in-demand New York session drummer and a member of Rage to Live, a great band whose self-titled 1986 debut was the first release on Hoboken’s Bar/None Records. (Bar/None’s founder, Glenn Morrow, was Rage to Live’s singer and guitarist.) With his wife, vocalist Elly Brown, Bob then formed the band Grace Pool and took on a broader range of multi-instrumental and production duties. Grace Pool released two albums for Reprise: Grace Pool ( 1988 ) and Where We Live ( 1990 ). In the picture above, he’s the one with the tie.
Last spring I was terribly saddened to learn that Bob, the father of two, had passed away from a sudden heart attack. I never had the chance to talk to him about his music–I never really had the chance to talk to him about anything, really, besides my gratitude for his unfreezing my Mac. I did go out and buy his albums, though. I like to think that, in a small way, listening to them is like having that conversation I never had.
January 4, 2007 at 5:27 pm
I never listen to that kind of 80s corporate rock anymore, so it’s good to have a good reason to do so. It’s funny the people who pass through our lives, who pass us by, the choices we make or don’t make. You can never really live life right, you just have to live it and take whatever chances come before it’s too late. Melancholia is alas true to life, given our prospects - in the end.
This cold must be getting me down - no way to start a new year!!
January 4, 2007 at 7:30 pm
The Grace Pool stuff definitely has an epic, windswept 80s production style that has fallen out of vogue, but the songwriting is pretty solid. Who knows, maybe chorus guitar and gated snare reverb will make a comeback…
January 5, 2007 at 5:43 pm
I’ve learned always to say “Thank you” and “I love you” while people can still hear the words.
January 5, 2007 at 6:00 pm
That’s a rare trait, but a good policy! You’re a star!
March 7, 2007 at 6:48 pm
The first Grace Pool album is one of my favorites of all time. I ended up here through a Google search for Bob Riley, trying to find more about him and his music. I’m sorry to hear about his recent death. Thank you for mentioning it on your blog.
- Hank
March 10, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Bob was working with me when he passed away and we worked together at Hearst too (I probably fixed your computer once or twice, but I was never as cool.) The New York Times had a very nice obituary of Bob this past February 9th (the anniversary of his passing) which also included information about an educational fund started for his children.
Bob was an amazing, charming and cool guy. He was always very low key and quiet, but it never fails that anyone who has come in contact with him remembers him and thinks warmly of him.
Music was his first love and I think people remember him that way, but I would also like to add, he was a damn good tech. Going into computers was something, I think, he did for his family to make money, but he was very good at it and approached it with the determination and attack of a great drummer.
August 16, 2007 at 5:53 am
I worked as an Au pair for Bob and Elly in 1998 till 2000. They were two of the best people I’ve ever met. I learnt a lot from the both of them during my time there. Bob was a great guy and he really loved his family so much.
My brother came to visit me from South Africa when he was 16 years old. And when he heard Bob play drums one day, he was so amazed that he decided right there and then, he wants to be a drummer just as good as Bob! Thanks to Bob’s inspiration my brothers dream came true. Today he his one of the best drummers I’ve ever heard(not just because he’s my brother)! He also gives drum lessons to people from ages 6 - 40 years old. I just wish Bob could have heard him play, he would have been so proud of him…
To Elly, Will and Tess. I miss you so much and will always love and remember you guys. You are part of the person I am today, thank you!
Love always, Liesl from South Africa. XX
July 7, 2008 at 8:51 pm
I had the pleasure of meeting Bob and Elly in 97. I had taken detour on my drive back back home from a business trip so that I could hear Elly sing and Bob play guitar behind her at the Luna Lounge in NYC. Afterwards we had dinner. They couldn’t have been nicer. I am so very sad to hear of Bob’s death. The two Grace Pool albums are among my favorites. He was a great talent.