“I love you too, dear”. The last words Lon said to me before I left the last place I would see him, the Bug Jar, 5/27/2023. I’m notorious for telling people I love them before parting ways, and on a day especially like today, I have no regrets.
I will never forget the first day he said it back – I had to try hard to not make it weird that day.
One of my first one-on-one conversations with Lon was in Linear Park (Penfield, NY). It was a hot, sunny day, and Ken and I were going to hike over to the park, listen to music, and drink some beers. We threw it on FB and whoever came, came. One of the only people that showed up was Lon. Ken and Lon knew of each other from back in the day, Lon and I didn’t really know each other at all (except in passing). Lon never really showed much interest in the show, I was shocked he came walking up.
The three of us sat and talked for about six hours. We learned everything Lon that evening – his ROC history, some of his favorite memories, some of his favorite people, and all about his family.
He talked a lot about Burke and told us some hilarious stories. We were scheduled to have Erik on the show for the first time and he gave us good content.
He also roasted me, brutally. I walked away very conflicted. Sharing personal life stories to boob-busting (is that a thing?) in our first one-on-one conversation.
The path was paved…
Every time I saw him afterwards, he mocked me to no end in the most loving, witty way, and for some reason, not only did I tolerate it, but I also enjoyed it. He made fun of my legs being on backwards, he always had a comment about my clothes, and he really enjoyed quizzing me. Lon was a smart motherfucker (term of endearment), and he packed a LOT of knowledge in that noggin of his. He would make the failed buzzer noise (loud) and yell, “WRONG!”. Thanks Lon.
I previously wrote about my Sulaco family, and the failed attempt at having Lon on the show. Ken and I are very sad we didn’t make it happen, but it was on Lon’s terms, and he mentioned he had his chance and fucked it up. His words – he was ‘reaping what he sowed’. His own form of punishment I suppose.
One thing I purposely did NOT do in my Sulaco blog was write about Lon’s bass playing. I knew better. I still know better, so all I will say is I have always appreciated Lon’s no nonsense, cut-through approach to his bass sound and style (which is really how he lived life).
Our relationship changed after that (not aired) interview. Or maybe I was allowed a glimpse into the inner workings and heart of Lon. I am not in any way implying the interview left that much of a mark on him, I think it kind of indirectly lined up with other personal things happening in his life that could be considered redefining.
Including Lon wearing pants…
There are tons of funny memories with Lon, but one that sticks out happened at the Record Archive. Lon insisted that Jason try Space Kitty. Jason took one sip and didn’t touch that tall boy the rest of the night – he hated it. Lon and I had a conversation about my disdain for IPAs – it smells like cat piss to me. Ten minutes later, I spilled that full beer all over and smelled like cat piss the rest of the night. Lon loved it.
I was absolutely astonished that he texted me after my first blog post. There was an error that he wanted to point out. Thirty other people probably saw that error, Lon was the only one that pointed it out. That’s not the astonishing part – him reading my blog is what astonished me. I felt honored that Lon, of all people, wasted his time reading MY blog. He even complimented me.
Week after week as I published blogs, Lon would text me. He would start out with, “This is your editor…” and send his edits. It became a joke; I would ask Ken to check for ‘Lon errors’ before Lon saw them.
It was only recently (last year or so) I realized why I love being around Lon despite being constantly made fun of (ha-ha). Lon only wanted the real versions of people, and that’s why he would call me out on my bullshit. In fact, he only really tolerated the real versions of people. I would try so hard to pretend to know what he was talking about, he always saw right through it, and immediately pointed it out. One day he told me to ‘cut the shit’ and just be myself. He also told me I need to toughen up. After I published the Sulaco blog, he told me I deserve a seat at ALL the tables. Tears.
Ken worries about me when he plays shows – not because he doesn’t trust any of you, but because he doesn’t trust the current state of society. On the way to the venue, I told Ken, “Don’t worry about me, there are so many people at these shows that care about me, and if Lon is there, I know he won’t let anything happen”. Weird, right? Lon was there, and he stood in his same spot – right side speaker. I stood right behind him recording the Waldhexen set. I laughed to myself because Lon had discovered that one of the speakers wasn’t even on. I have him and Todd on video tinkering with it.
I had the opportunity to hang out with my favorite version of Lon during the return of Waldhexen show last weekend. He was happy, sociable, funny, and even threw in a couple of comforting zingers. He gave me a hard time for not liking Judas Priest (particularly the early stuff).
He told Ken he had a great set, and he was happy that he could finally hear what Ken was doing on bass. Ken and Lon had a fondness for each other that I sat back and admired. They watched each other intently while the other was on stage. I’m sure many others share this sentiment.
I helped grab Ken’s gear. My hands were full, so I walked up and just leaned in. He hugged me, and I said, “Love you!” and he said, “I love you too, dear” in his animated Lon voice.
I know so many people have so many memories, and hurt so much more deeply than I. There are so many people that jammed with Lon, lived with Lon, grew up with Lon. My relationship with Lon seems superficial in comparison, but I am grateful that I got to spend a little bit of time with Lon in this physical form. I’m grateful that Lon touched so many people. I’m grateful he touched me. I’m grateful he became my blog editor. I’m grateful I had a seat at Lon’s table, where I could be me.
My heart goes out to Sulaco. I know how special the band is to every member in it, and now it will never be the same. There’s a low-end, irreplaceable, huge void. As there should be.
My heart goes out to his family, whom he deeply loved and cared for.
My heart goes out to the Record Archive family, where he spent a lot of time (being rather grumpy, but Lon’s version of grumpy).
My heart goes out to everyone feeling this loss – friends and fans near and far.
Lon is forever embedded and a part of this scene – the memories, shows, videos, pictures, laughs, wit, love, puns, stories, humor, the grump, will live on. He, undoubtedly, is still upon us, while catching up with his pops.
‘Til we meet again, Lonny ‘Hatchett’.
