I am not quite sure HOW to address the loss of my dear friend Jackie Lomax. Our friendship was based on an odd combination of mutual friends, similar senses of humor, a love of French cars and, of course music. Always music.
He was blessed with one of those great distinctive voices that was both soulful and powerful. I think he felt that my Motown upbringing and ability to match any harmony, allowed us to toss vocal ideas around while he worked out songs and lyrics. We did just that over a 6 or 7 year period in the late 1970's of hanging around his apartment in Hollywood.
He was a great guy to do just that with--hang around. We had matching 1967 Citroen's-----mine a DS21 Pallas and his a DS21 Cabriolet. The difference being simply in the interior. Mine a black leather and his a grey soft felt. Both beautiful vehicles and we enjoyed the special bond that came from our enjoyment of those rare French automobiles (and the ability to compare "repair" notes and share the same repairman!)
He introduced me to the British tradition of the "Pub" afternoon and allowed me to join him and his British "mates" for a game or two of "football" (soccer) at the "pitch" in Coldwater Canyon. Oh yeah---those "mates?" Usually consisted of a broad spectrum of British musician expats such as Paul Carrack of the band "Ace", assorted members of ELO and, of course, "football" fans and talents, Elton John and Rod Stewart. WHY Jack felt I was worthy of being included in these weekly games, I am not so sure. I think I was simply the "needed" member to fill out the team, because I was NOT a good soccer player! BUT---he was kind enough to always give me the "call." Though the games were not memorable, the after "gatherings" at the Cock & Bull Restaurant on Sunset were always worth it. Friends would join us and the bar would be turned into a raucous party. AND, you never knew who would be part of the crowd. One notable afternoon, Ronnie Wood and a few others happened to come in and Ronnie, very sheepishly, announced that he had just signed with the Rolling Stones. This was greeted with general jeering and harassment. "Woodie" joined Jackie, Rod, I and a few others at the table. I sat back and simply watched the exchanges and conversations that were tossed back and forth between these musical "pals." Jackie had those eyes of his twinkling and flashing and loved giving them all a good dose of his particular humor.
And, of course, his background in music allowed him to have that special "view" of just what can happen (or not) in the fame game of the music business.
His "situation" had become legendary. I'll shorten up the story here. One of his childhood mates was George Harrison. Jackie's band "The Undertakers" had a bit of local fame in Liverpool and had played at The Cavern---the Beatles favorite local club. Brian Epstein had decided to sign Jackie to a recording contract but could not make the final arrangements before his untimely death.When The Beatles began Apple Records the decision was made to sign Jackie. George wrote him a song "Sour Milk Sea" and the backup band on that first album consisted or George, Paul McCartney, Ringo, Nicky Hopkins, Eric Clapton and assorted other names of the British music scene at the time. Not bad-----your first album has The Beatles as your backup band PLUS legendary guitar "God" Eric Clapton and THE piano player then and now, Nicky Hopkins. As Derek Taylor said in the liner notes...."his voice is stronger, and the energy folks, the energy is FIERCE!"
I remembered that single when I first met him and marveled at his powerful voice-----and equally noted and marveled at the fact that it had come nowhere near to the fame everyone felt he deserved. When we would sit around and play---he on the matching blond Gibson to George's famous red one (and given to him by George as a gift)-----I was amazed at the ease of his singing and the heartfelt "soul" infused into that distinct voice.
With those kind of friends and that kind of "pedigree"-----how could you lose? Somehow, and due to endless discussed reasons and possibilities, it never came to be. I saw him perform numerous times in assorted attempts to re-start his career and the talent was ALWAYS there. I rehearsed with him in a studio a few times when he was working on new material and his professionalism and the talent that would join him at a moments notice was always a pleasant surprise. WHY it never "happened" for him was a mystery.
His list of friends was impressive and the obvious respect they had for him spoke volumes.
Here is an excellent example---One time, he called to ask if I wanted to accompany him to see Paul McCartney with his band Wings at the Forum in Los Angeles. Jack explained that he had box seats and
that other people would be joining us but we were to go alone and meet them there. OK, good enough. We got down there early and found our (excellent) seats---a "box" of 6. We sat, and Jack, turning to me, said "Tom, I need you to be cool about this..." and he looked over our shoulders--"the others," he added. I assured him that there was no problem (wondering who might be joining us)---Jack sat in front to the far right toward the stage and myself next to him. As the lights dimmed for the first song, a few people came into the box behind us, quickly and quietly---Jack said "Tom, can you let them sit here?" pointing at the front seats----as I realized that our "guests" were Ringo Starr and a lady friend. I got up, and moved to the row behind the 1st 3 seats. Just as the first song was finishing another few people came, crouching, into the box and, as I moved over to allow them, sat down. As the lights came up a bit at the end of the song, I looked down to the person behind Jackie, now talking to him with his hand on Jackie's shoulder----and realized it was George Harrison. I quietly said hello to the lady with him, next to me, and Jackie looked over at me with his eyes a bit wide with a nod of "OK?" toward me. I waved it off---assuring him (but lying!!) that it did not phase me one BIT to be sitting with 2 of the Beatles watching a 3rd perform on stage. Again----Jackie's pals from long ago.......
He did his best to handle the endless frustration and continued striving to get the recognition he deserved. I even went so far as to try, through my own contacts in the music business, to get him SOME response to his phone calls and questions about lack of support and promised promotion. It was heartbreaking and, though handled well by him, an obvious embarrassment.
We always had a good laugh (as shown in the above photo---w/Jackie as the clown and myself as some Bigbird variation) and shared a love of art. His album cover, shown here and done by Klaus Voorman---famous for his Beatles "Revolver" cover----was one he was very proud of and we discussed his love of eagles and his connection to and understanding of the American Indian reverence for these powerful birds. I made him a golden eagle pendant that he proudly wore.
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I moved away from Hollywood in 1980 or so---exhausted by the toxicity of the whole scene. I sold off my Citroen and remember calling Jackie to reminisce about the good times with our cars. I lived for a while without telephone or TV or any connection to my old "scene" and then moved to Lake Tahoe. Somewhere in there, I lost track of Jackie. I tried to contact him over the past 20 years and it was either lost phone numbers or messages left with each other but no real connection. I recently had done a bit of business in Ojai, CA and heard that he was there. I asked around during a visit and, though people knew of him, no one could direct me to where he lived. I was planning on returning to Ojai next week to meet up with a gallery owner after doing an Art Fair this weekend with the hopes of maybe tracking my old buddy down. Little did I know that he was in England attending a daughters wedding----nor that he had taken sick and passed away yesterday.
A rare talent and a humble, loving friend. Always ready for a laugh and able to simply floor me every time he opened his mouth and sang. Sadly missed and remembered with much thanks and love. R.I.P Jackie
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