"Three people were killed yesterday when a plane flying from McClellan-Palomar Airport collided with a plane that had been cleared to land."

One of them was Doug Randall,

Doug was a great player and a great person. He played our piano at Pops Wright's Birthday Bash this last April 20, 2002. And he was sooooo goooood. He was a great boogie-woogie pianist. A great blues pianist. A great standards pianist. A great pianist. And a really nice guy, who seemed to really enjoy the joy he gave to others. I've got some D-Video of the event and, I believe, some of Doug playing. I know I've got his CD around, and maybe can get some other recordings. And have folks who knew him tell us all how they felt about Doug.

We saw news of the crash Tuesday night, the day Doug died. September 17, 2002. Tragic, but we didn't know who it was at the time, hadn't thought about Doug for a little while. We received a call last night giving us the news and pointing us to the local news with a picture of George Randall. Later heard on another broadcast as George Doug Randall. DF and I never knew him as George. I don't know if others did, but he was always Doug to us. Today's UT, reported the identification.

"Randall became part of the local music scene, playing at the Belly Up in Solana Beach and Calypso in Leucadia. He was petrified of flying, Hirani recalled, until a night in September of 1998 when his car broke down and he had no way to get to his scheduled show in Fullerton."

Nazy Hirani knew Doug for 16 years. Doug was his best friend. Sorry Nazy, Doug will definitely be missed. Especially on party days.

Anyway, we might be able to pull together a memorial for part of the show next week. Will want to get some thoughts of those I that I know that knew him and possibly others who we don't know right now. Would be fun to play some Doug music and hear from folks who knew him.

Use the Comment[] link below if you'd like to contribute something about Doug...
10:42:28 PM    comment []  Google It!