Doug Raney (1956-2016)
Doug was a very private person. My nature is (was) to protect him from public scrutiny and the airing of all the things that happened to him in his life. Obviously, this is just not realistic. News travels at the speed of light in our day and age so many of you have heard the news. It is unfortunately true.
I loved Doug, I idolized him both as musician and a big brother and my heart ached for him in his life and now in death. He was a tough kid from New York that lived life very hard. There was so much artistry and depth there. One of the most soulful, swinging guitarist who ever picked up the instrument. He made it seem easy. Just a natural.
I will write more soon but this is just too hard to speak of him in the past. Enjoy his music as will I. A few changes are on this website in his honor. I will do more but this is all I can do for now as I, we all grieve the lost of an artist, the capable heir to the Raney guitar legacy who left us way too soon.
With respect, regret, deep loss and deep love.
I love you Doug. Peace my brother
Jon
The Touch of Your Lips – Doug Raney solo
Discover more from The Raney Legacy
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
10 Comments
Tony DeCaprio
Very, Very sorry for your loss, Jon.
Mike Miller, PhD
Deepest condolences. I have a number of your brother’s recordings (and a few of your Dad’s). I’m told that he struggled with “personal issues” for a long time. A guitarist/therapist in Cleveland (Gary Aprile) told me he used to play with you on the streets of NYC MANY moons ago. Best wishes to your family.
Jon Raney
I played on the streets between 1986-1987. Yes. Trying to place Gary. Escapes me, though. I guess I played with more people than I realized. Best Jon
Allan Bo Larsen
My deepest condolences. I just heard it a few days ago, and i must admit i got more sad than i thought i would. Doug have been in my life as an inspirator since ’77, and was, in my opinion, the only “real” bebop guitarplayer left. When i think bopguitar i think Doug. I met him a few times, first time when he called me and asked if i could sub him on a couple of jobs. I was shocked and said “nooo- i don’t think i..” Then he laughed and told me it was only a show gig with sea lions, magicians and so on. Not a Bop job. I took the gig, and he was a very nice guy, paying me what he promised. This was in ’92. Ten years ago i met him were i live, on the street with a beer in his hand yelling at girls. I walked to him and said how much i admired him, but he should’n stand there yelling at girls. I bought him a couple of beers a few times when i met him in that period. Then he raised again a few times and i was happy to see him play. And now this. Doug, you were my biggest star!
Jon Raney
good story. He started to unravel a bit- I have heard the stories unfortunately. I was happy to see his comeback in 2012-2013. It was to his final comeback as we were to learn later.
Jon Raney
Thank you all for your condolences. A little late getting back to this
Hope
Dear Jon, I am so sorry to hear of your brother’s death. When I was a teenager I lived in the same apartment building as your parents and often babysat with Doug. I liked your parents very much. I had no idea that your Dad was a celebrity. Your parents were just good neighbors. I have an old friend who is a jazz pianist (Ted Howe) and he brought your father’s name up a while ago. For some reason I thought of your family today and looked you up. God bless you. Marguerite Crowley Vanden-Eynden (faith80two@hotmail.com)
jazzmankg
Hi Marguerite, thanks for your condolences. Interesting how paths cross
best – Jon
Jon Wheatley
So sorry, last May, to hear that Doug had passed away. I had been a big fan of the elder Raney. I agreed with Ira Gitler, that he was number one in his field. Yet, Doug was another. Incredible achievements and collaborations! They will live as long as people are listening to serious music. Thanks for the blog. ‘Jonathan’s Waltz’ was for you? Great tune!
jazzmankg
thanks for the kind comments, Jon. re: Waltz. Yes that’s me