2022 – Inspirational Friend
……………………………………………(ignore April 30, 2017 publish date – this was published on December 23 , 2022)
I’ve written previously in this blog about my friend, Eric Leefe, whose father is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a legendary recording engineer at RCA who recorded Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock” and the hits of an endless list of rock’s luminaries (and whose name was Bob Leefe, so he’s GOT to be a star).
Eric’s been confined to a wheelchair with cerebral palsy his whole life, but that hasn’t stopped him from fronting bands, writing songs and putting out albums.
I’ve photographed him with people like Joan Jett, Rick Derringer, Tommy James (a personal friend of Eric’s who his father recorded way back when) and others.
If you want the whole story, check these out:
https://iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com/?p=6242
https://iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com/?p=8104
https://iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com/?p=8163
http://www.hackensacknow.org/index.php/topic,3385
Eric’s been telling me since we met in 2014 that his body’s breaking down and he’s only got a year or two left to live, but he’s still going strong.
Want proof? With the help of his good friend, John Auli, he recently went to Nashville to record some songs at Dark Horse Studios and he fell right in with all the folks there, including Bekka Bramlett, the daughter of the well-known late-60s, early 70s duo of Delaney and Bonnie (she was in Fleetwood Mac for a couple of years in the mid-90s and you’ll see her singing in the video).
Film producer Andrew Rozario decided to record Eric’s Nashville visit and one of the results is the 5:23 YouTube video (below) that inspired this post.
It all takes place in the studio, but it’s mainly just Eric talking realistically about his life. I thought I knew everything about him, but I found out a couple of things I didn’t know – especially his DIRECT connection to a Mott The Hoople recording as an 11-year-old!
Overall, this is a pretty powerful video that you may want to break out the tissue box for. I’ve already sent it to the Rock Hall of Fame, which requested it to add to his father’s file, which I believe has a sub-file on Eric, which I guess sorta puts him in the Hall as well. BTW – the Hall asked him to do a show with the Hall house band at the Hall a couple of years ago and off to Cleveland he went.
He’s asked me to also send the video to a Cerebral Palsy organization on Long Island that he was a part of, hoping that it will inspire others who are burdened with CP to do great things.
The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEa8jnYGTkY
Whaddaya think?
If you feel so inclined, please leave a comment either at the bottom of the video page or here.
And a very Merry Whatever-It-Is-That-You-Celebrate to you.
Powerful stuff.
Inspirational even just for an attitude adjustment when one is having a bad day.
Thanks for sharing.
Just wonderful Bob – I recently visited Eric – I go to continue to be sure he is being cared for – Carol
Aloha Eric,
A life well lived is the polar opposite of nothing. You have and continue to make your impact which is obviously an improvement to all of our lives.
Mahalo and Aloha
Mahalo Bob, my not so long lost cousin. Nice work.
JJM
A very inspiring friend Bob! What a sweetheart.
Well this was lovely!
Happy Everything!
I’m always amazed at what people choose to do. Your friend is tough. Glad he is recognized for his art.
Thanks for sharing Bob. Eric is clearly getting weaker and yet both his interview and singing sound strong. What a great opportunity and a shout out to John Auli for being Eric’s hands and feet in Nashville.