26/04/2025
ROCKIN’ RICH REECE
1976 - 2025
Although I’d heard stories about the legendary Rockin’ Rich Reece as early as 2000-2001 (as he had simultaneously, mysteriously heard a number of stories about myself, too), our fortunes would never fully embrace until late 2012 when our mutual friend (and probable source of the gossip), Scott Peterson, suffered a very close call from a heart condition.
In a valiant effort to help cover Scott’s medical costs, an army of local sound engineers and musicians formed to host a benefit concert themed around the legendary British band, (and one of Scott & my favorites), Badfinger. It was during this time that Rich Reece, Robert Pardington, Steven Cebula and I started practicing together for the first time.
Over the following 13 years, Steve, Rich & I would not only share a collaborative musical odyssey, recording nearly one album per year as the Peasant Revolution Band, (as well as star as ourselves in a couple of promotional short films), but by the summer of 2016, with David Craig directing the chaos, we would begin production on the longest running (and perhaps only) Last Monday of the Month live stream podcast from our YouTube Channel.
So - I guess that’s as short as I can make our particular origin story - and it’s honestly going to be very difficult for me to imagine a world without Rich Reece in it. But thankfully, we will never be able to forget his legacy due to the countless hours he’s left us of writing, music, and video commentary on all of his favorite subjects; local Oregon history, civil engagement, bands he loved, bands he hated, and political musings on everything Portland- always infused with his comic wit and relentless timing.
I’ve never had a better partner in crime - he was a perfect Paul Schaffer to compliment my David Letterman impression as we continued to maintain this silly, obscure monthly ritual known as The Peasant Revolution Band Variety Hour (including this upcoming, special Rich Reece Tribute, April 28th edition - see attached link for information).
https://www.youtube.com/live/B4z19WNbpZU?si=2WivZGoUj6NfAyzv
As the Peasants, we played many an obscure show. Usually the weirder the show, the more likely Rich would be joining us (art openings / retirement parties / birthdays / morning shift at the Lake Oswego Arts Stage). And with our monthly Live Stream show, we were able to meet a true variety of musicians, comedians, ballet dancers, film directors, writers, poets and just plain ol’ regular folk (my father, Stew Dodge & the US Cadenza as well as John Malloy & the Great Unknown would both steal Rich from us occasionally, seemingly always on Mondays).
While I’m frantically trying to get highlights together for this next episode, I’ve been reminded just how much Rich loved doing this show and how hard he worked to keep it going despite dealing with his continual health complications. I think the following clip demonstrates how much fun we had together and what an overall, beautiful ride it was that we gotta share with him. I remembered this as being a special moment for him as we commemorated what would’ve been his sister Gina’s 52nd birthday with some Pixies tunes (this was the conclusion of our June 29th, 2020 episode - Steven Cebula on bass, me on vocals, overdubs and guitar, Scott Peterson on synth, David Craig on video and Rich Reece playing drums).
https://youtu.be/92OIvw1_60I?si=YQWZBx-r0zpCe9nM
To Katie and the Reece family, we offer our arms wide open - if there’s anything that we can ever do to help numb or heal the collective hole in all our hearts, please let us know! Included is a GoFundMe link that will aid Katie, the Reece family and of course, the lovely Ms. Vera Katz in dealing with this very sad transitional period:
https://gofund.me/0789ebe2
Rest well beloved friend, brother and fellow peasant; the unstoppable,unflappable and undeniable - Rockin’ Rich Reece.
--With love,
Jeff Dodge
A Devastating Loss We are heartbroken to share the news of Rich Reece’s passing. Ric… Grace Park needs your support for Honoring Rich and Supporting Katie
