It’s been a bittersweet few hours. 

The US election was finally called and the Biden/Harris ticket has prevailed. 

While crying tears of joy watching the wrap-up of the speeches last night, I checked my email on my phone and saw a message at the top from the Oils office with the subject “Bones” from the Midnight Oil list I’ve been on for decades.  I opened it hoping it would be news that my favorite bass player of all time was finally winging his way to Australia to participate in the upcoming Makarrata gig project.

Unfortunately, the email was letting us know that Bonsey had passed away. Cancer. It was a punch to my gut. All the air went out of me and I broke down in tears. It may seem odd to react this way about a bass player in a band, but this was BONES! I’d met and spoken with him many times over the last 30+ years. A kinder, gentler soul than anyone I’ve ever met. Wicked sense of humor and never an unkind word said about anyone (except maybe Trump). He had the voice of an angel (I have a list of songs I can recommend, but have a listen to “One Country” if you can). His bass playing was unequaled (in my opinion). 

I’m so grateful the Oils got the band back together and toured a couple of years ago. My friends and I went to many shows across the US (like we did when we were kids). The stand out being the first gig in the US back in Atlanta. I got to see the band, explore Atlanta more than I had in the past and see my friend Magnus, who passed away not too long after our visit.

My heart goes out to his wife, family and friends. Rest easy Bonesy. You are a legend who is missed by many.  We are heartbroken you have left us, but thankful for the time we had.  To build on what a Powderworker friend said: I hope you’re up in front with the driver, guiding the way and enjoying the adventure.  I’m glad you were able to hang on long enough to see Trump lose, knowing you could leave us safe in the knowledge that things were going to get better and the chance of peace, decency, equality and justice were back in the mix. 

I’m going to be sad for a while with this one guys. It has hit me hard. I know it’s selfish, but I can’t help it. He was one of the good guys.

I’m trying to keep my mind on my country’s potentially bright future.  That will hopefully keep me from getting too down for too long. Trump, Pence and their rogues gallery of fascists are on their way out!  If we can pick-up the 2 senate seats January 5th in Georgia, we can make meaningful changes quickly.  I have a lot to be grateful for, even if the next couple of months are going to be ugly and full of hateful noise and rhetoric coming from the Trump administration and his lunatic cronies.

Here is one of my favorites of the Bones photos I took on that last Midnight Oil tour in 2017: