Edmonton’s music community has lost a true music icon. I was saddened (like so many others) to hear about the passing of Kirby on Tuesday. She died of kidney failure and complications from cancer.
Kirby, whose first name was Kathy, was such an enthusiastic supporter of our local music over the decades and she supported and influenced so many local artists with her passion and dedication to live music and the music business.
She was also one of the best sound techs in Western Canada.
Whenever my band played the Sidetrack it was always a pleasure (and relief) to see her behind the console, mixing our songs throughout the night. She truly was a creative wizard mixing live music.
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I remember if there ever was a problem with a mic or an amp or a bass drum (or a drummer), she always tackled the problem with a flurry of curse words and then a smile. Problem solved.
Her passion for music also shone through as a booking agent and promoter. She brought so many fantastic live acts to Edmonton at a wide variety of venues throughout this region.
But as Wide Mouth Mason drummer Safwan Javed pointed out in an email, it wasn’t just Edmonton’s music scene that Kirby played a big role in.
“She was integral in helping many develop and achieve exposure on the national stage. Wide Mouth Mason owe Kirby for believing in us & for the countless opportunities she gave us to prove ourselves. We will long miss and honour her,” Javed said.
I remember one of the last times I saw Kirby. She was mixing a gig at Festival Place, and even though she was in the midst of solving some technical glitch, she still had time for a chat, a hug and a laugh.
Her dedication and enthusiasm for live music will be fondly missed and remembered forever.
We all owe Kirby a huge thank-you for making Edmonton’s music scene one of the most vibrant in Canada. Her life and legacy leaves all of us (musicians and music lovers alike) something very special to celebrate.
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