I learned about the passing of Benjamin Bossi on Facebook, Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Ben was 69 years old. Apparently, his death was due to complications from early onset Alzheimer’s disease. After reading that he had departed this world, I started watching old Romeo Void videos on YouTube. In the mix was
I was playing tenor sax in SF during the eighties and I met Benjamin through Deborah's husband Paul K. I was supposed to take some sax lessons from him, but never did for various reasons that I can't remember now. Benjamin knew how to use the high partials, or "fake notes" as they are called, and I was always in awe of that. He was a huge inspiration to me as a fellow sax player and I regret that we didn't actually get to work together, but I will cherish the connection nevertheless. I became a better sax player (and artist) by trying to imitate his sound (Otto Link metal mouthpiece), etc.
I was shocked when i read another member from Romeo Void had passed away . It was totally by accident. I was looking up some songs on Youtube by them and i saw one comment post saying RIP, Benjamin Bossi. So naturally i searched to see was it true and it was. All the memories over the years , the hundreds of hours i listened to their music and admired them all. It just made me sad that it ended in this way for him. He really seemed to be a genuinely nice man from everything that i've seen so far. I just have to sit and reflect for now . I'm still blue about the whole thing.
Yes, shocking. This news came just a short time after the passing of D.H. Peligro, another member of the Bay Area music scene from that same time period. D.H. was the Dead Kennedy's drummer and later played with The Red Hot Chili Peppers and other bands throughout the years. It was a magical time as far as music went back in those days. But yes, watching the documentaries, Ben was indeed a genuinely nice man and an extremely talented sax player.
I was playing tenor sax in SF during the eighties and I met Benjamin through Deborah's husband Paul K. I was supposed to take some sax lessons from him, but never did for various reasons that I can't remember now. Benjamin knew how to use the high partials, or "fake notes" as they are called, and I was always in awe of that. He was a huge inspiration to me as a fellow sax player and I regret that we didn't actually get to work together, but I will cherish the connection nevertheless. I became a better sax player (and artist) by trying to imitate his sound (Otto Link metal mouthpiece), etc.
Rock ON Ben, where ever you are!
--Symon Michael
first chair saxophone
The Tibetan Boyscouts
I agree. In a way, it reminds me of an old saying: "There is nothing sadder than a bass player alone without a band."
I was shocked when i read another member from Romeo Void had passed away . It was totally by accident. I was looking up some songs on Youtube by them and i saw one comment post saying RIP, Benjamin Bossi. So naturally i searched to see was it true and it was. All the memories over the years , the hundreds of hours i listened to their music and admired them all. It just made me sad that it ended in this way for him. He really seemed to be a genuinely nice man from everything that i've seen so far. I just have to sit and reflect for now . I'm still blue about the whole thing.
Yes, shocking. This news came just a short time after the passing of D.H. Peligro, another member of the Bay Area music scene from that same time period. D.H. was the Dead Kennedy's drummer and later played with The Red Hot Chili Peppers and other bands throughout the years. It was a magical time as far as music went back in those days. But yes, watching the documentaries, Ben was indeed a genuinely nice man and an extremely talented sax player.