Greg Dwinnell Tribute Page

Most recent tributes are now listed first.
Also see the Interview Files.

Bruce Beckwith

I just heard about Greg's passing and am saddened to have lost yet another old friend. I had the pleasure of knowing Greg when I lived across the street from him in Mantua, in Fairfax, VA in the early 70's. We hung out in his downstairs bedroom in the back corner of his mom's house. We would just climb in his bedroom window, never using the front door to the house. I have no idea what color paint was on the walls of his bedroom as it was covered floor to ceiling in Covers of Rolling Stone. We spent hours upon hours listening to vinyl albums on a beat up stereo he had. He had a particular affection at the time for the Hot Tuna album Burgers, with Papa John Creech on fiddle, playing True Religion. All these years later, that tune has stayed with me, and I just played it one more time in honor of Greg. I lost track of Greg when I moved to FL in 1976 and I had thought of him on occasion, even googling him a few times with no success. Now I hear of his life, only after he's gone. Too late to reminisce with him about our times together. Guess he turned out pretty darned good, glad to hear it, just wish I had got back in touch a little sooner.
Various odd things I remember, his mom used to drive an AMC Pacer I think, they had a scrawny german shephard that would get loose occasionally and it would drive our german shephard nuts. I remember going to a birthday party for Brian and we had all the usual party stuff, cake, candles, etc, and then a 35 mm film, which melted when it got stuck. End of that film. Brian got a big wheel, and it was fun to ride it down their driveway and spin out before hitting the street (even tho we were way too old and big to be riding big wheels). When his folks split up, I remember my Dad chasing away a private detective who was watching their house, from in front of our house. Guess his dad was looking for evidence to prove she had a new man around or something like that!....Snowcaps, only Greg would know what I'm talking about there I think. Oh, and my friends and I used to play touch football in the street and I remember us teaching his little bro Brian, how to dodge the defense after catching the football. Hysterical. If you can, tell Brian I remember him and send him my best wishes, and tell him Greg will live on in my memory.
Sincerely,
Bruce Beckwith

David Jenkins

Thanks for assembling a lovely tribute page to a man that loved music and all that went with it. Greg put out the first record I played and was credited on (andrew's track on the hollies comp.) and I will always have him to thank for that. We also bonded over our love of "my so-called life" and I made a set of tapes of all the episodes for him at my old job which was running the mailroom at the agency that repped claire danes at the time of the show's launch. Greg was a fan in the truest sense of the word and he and I shared so many of the same faves (costello, beatles, etc.) that we were always at the same events around town. His support, patronage and enthusiasm for local talent was known to all and he put out some great music that will stand up to time and be remebered as fondly as I know he will be. I miss him and that costello tribute concert I helped put together was exactly what he wanted and we were all so proud to make it happen. Please feel free to post this on the tribute section and send my regards to Greg's family if you are in touch. Thanks for the memories, Greg!

Thomas Miller

I knew Greg in High School, but became freinds when we went to Northern Virginia Community College together. We used to cut class to go to his house and watch Wheel of Fortune. I remember looking at a huge collection of cassette tapes in his living room. The tapes were collections of songs by various artists arranged by various methods. I was always impressed with his passion, so it did not surprise me when I learned he had started Eggbert. I had been meaning to contact him for some time now and always figured that I could do it tomorrow. My heart sunk when I learned of his passing. Greg was one of my fond memories of days gone by; I guess it will just have to stay that way. The world would be a better place with more people like Greg.

Garry Westcott

I just heard about Greg this past Thursday and the news hit me like a sledge hammer blow to the heart! Reading your beautiful tributes to Greg made me realize I had missed the shooting star across the sky...I was looking the other way. I waited 30 years to find the courage to make a phone call and I was too late. While you all have wonderful anecdotal stories of how Greg impacted your lives, how he enriched you with his humor, his friendship, his innate 'light' that shined from his very smile, I saw Greg for the last time 30 years ago! In the story of life we wound up parting ways when Greg was just 14 years old...and I know I am poorer for it. Even as a boy Greg's gifts were evident in his eager laugh, his mischeivous eyes and in his loving nature.
It makes me happy to learn that Greg became the man I saw in the boy. (I credit his mom for doing such a great job!) Brian and Greg had a sparkling chemistry together that many brothers do not share. Greg could not have had a better brother than Brian. I remember Brian's big brown eyes looking up to his older brother. Brian's gentle nature and big heart are gifts to anyone who knows him and I'm sure he brought a lot of happiness to Greg throughout the years. I am thankful that the world has Brian - and anyone whose life was touched by Greg, at any age or status, has been the beneficiary of his grace in so many ways. We are all made better by our memories of Greg. I loved him like a son for too brief a time. Despite his absence in my life my world has changed with his passing. I should have made the call years ago...now I miss him as a son.

Sharon Sullivan Girouard

I too grew up with Greg in Northern Virginia. I reconnected with Greg after many years of no contact. He sent his music to me at Christmas time and a touching letter of his illness. When I recieved the letter I tried to contact him but was unable to locate him. I am sorry that could not say my goodbyes and thank Greg for his friendship. I remember how he talked fondly about his family and his passion to get the latest import record from Peguin Feather. (now that's going back aways). I remember Greg as a generous, thoughtful friend who taught me about good music and how to dance this mess around!!!

Sharon Sullivan Girouard
(Flea)

Monique Montibon

What can be said that hasn't already been expressed so eloquently? I only recently found out that Greg is gone. A new discovery means fresh wounds, and I am sorry that I didn't know earlier. But I had a hunch last year that something was amiss.

I've known Greg since the mid '90s. At the time, I was managing a music department in Santa Monica. We hit it off over the phone, and met only hours later, when he stopped by to drop off some John Easdale CDs for an upcoming in-store performance. He was engaging and funny; and he shared my extreme appreciation of Elvis Costello. I was charmed. We kept in touch thereafter, even when I moved to Ann Arbor, and eventually to San Francisco.

Between my interstate moves and assorted job mutations, Greg would take me to Largo. He snuck me in once to see Aimee Mann and Michael Penn, prior to Aimee's big breakthrough. He took me because he knew I was a big fan of the pair--and because he could. I realize I'm preaching to the choir, but Greg was great that way.

There's a note in my Palm Pilot beside Greg's name that reads, "Call, don't write!" He was always too personable to relegate himself to cyberspace. So I called, and he called, and sometimes we wrote. Then the communication slowed until it ceased. Something was up, but Greg never shared his personal baggage with me, despite the fact that he was an excellent listener. I figured he'd get back in touch when he was ready...

I wish I could have been there for him. I lost my dad in 1992 and three friends within the last five years. It never gets easier, it never hurts less, but each time I'm reminded that the ordinary is in fact utterly extraordinary, and the everyday should never be taken for granted. I'm grateful to have known Greg.

Peace, love and understanding to all of you,

~m

Greg Paul Dwinell

I only spoke with him on the phone several times. I first heard about him a number of years ago. I found his number on the net and called. The conversation started like this:
ring....
"Eggbert Records"
"Hello may I speak with Greg Dwinnell?"
"Speaking"
"This is Greg Dwinnell?"
"Yes"
"Do you know who you are speaking with?"
"No"
long pause..........
"You are speaking with Greg Dwinell!"
"AAHHHHHHHHHH..............Dinosaur Jr.!!!!!!!!"
"Oh you know them?"
"No, but my freinds keep seeing the album credits and saying to me things like I didn't know you were working with them!"
We hit it off on the phone right away. We had some long talks and found we had many things in common.

He told me he had met Brian Wilson.. I was 6 years older and grew up in California listening to Beach Boys. He told me about the Wondermints. I caught their show near here in CT. They knocked me out.

He put me in touch with Probin Gregory from that band to find out where they got their synth. That was fun when I called him up and said "my name is Greg Dwinell." He said "Yea.....hi Greg"....laughs..........then I said "No, really I am not the Greg Dwinell you know, he gave me your number."................pause.........."You're kidding!"

When I was 10 we moved to Mass..... We went out to Topsfield, Ma where the first Dwin(n)ell settled in the 1600s. Greg told me he had also been there.

Greg also pronounced his name the same as I do....... Dwin rhymes with Twin not with DWhy.

We spoke of the variations of spelling out ther Dwinnell, Dwinell, Dwinel, Dwinnel........

I think it was his grandfather he told me about that had large panels made up with the whole family tree mapped out on it. Also, he had traced where the guy had gotton on the boat in Europe. My mother had done a lot of tracing down many of these old records.

I mentioned my 1st cousin Ray in Altedina, Ca and his children Roger & Gail of Canyon Country who work the at Warner Bros. I just came back today from taking Gail to the airport. She was here for a week for my brother Jeff's wedding.

In the last 3 years we lost both my parents Clifford & Elizabeth. I have also been blessed with the birth of two children during that time. One daughter Tianna and one son Braden.

Greg's picture with Elvis Costello is hanging on my wall at Orange Sound. We had some great fun on the phone. He had a real spark and a great humor. I am very sorry for his family and all his friends.

Susan Pataky Loyd

I was one of the lucky ones who grew up with Greg in Virginia. He was the unconventional boy next door (well, around the corner, but you could see his house from mine). Always surrounded by friends, he had that certain magnetism that very few possess. We shared some wild times growing up in Mantua, and over the years we loved to hear Greg recount a story with great animation and enthusiasm, remembering every detail, and leaving us in stitches! Of course our lives revolved around music. His hole-in-the-wall bedroom where we used to hang out was covered, floor and ceiling, in Rolling Stone magazine covers (this was the 70s). That’s where I first heard the sounds of Todd Rundgren, Cheap Trick, Talking Heads, Blondie, The Ramones…and of course ELVIS Costello. We’d spend Friday nights making cut tapes; my job was to write them up while he figured out the perfect segue and a clever title. No cover art then, just great music.

After Greg headed to the left coast, and as we witnessed his success in the music industry, he remained a steadfast friend to all of us back east. He ventured back for annual visits with the requisite dinner at Duck Chang’s, plenty of Frisbee Golf, and the occasional Redskins game. His loyalty as a friend was unsurpassed. He did a better job keeping in touch with people than anyone else I know, even after moving nearly 3000 miles away. I also feel blessed that my kids knew Greg and were witness to his generosity of love and spirit.

Greg, I miss your stories of life in L.A., and I’m lost without your advice on what music to buy or what’s worth watching on TV or film. I find myself wondering what you’d have to say about “Carnivale” or “School of Rock” or the new Rufus Wainwright album. What would be on your Circle of Friends list this year? And how about that Tribute Show at Largo? I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. But I do miss you, every single day.

XO Susan

Attached photo of the boy says it all.

Jordan Oakes

I was shocked to hear of Greg's death. I had no idea he was ill. I had the privilege of meeting Greg twice, and the second time it was a pleasure all over again. Without a doubt, Greg was a pop visionary who gave equal time to new bands and old ones alike (even when it was vicariously, through tribute albums). Greg arguably had the very best "power-pop" label in the country -- though Eggbert undoubtedly branched out into other realms, as well, which gave it a special depth and personality. And unarguably, he was the classiest of pop-label impresarios. Greg released the two greatest tribute albums ever -- for the Bee Gees and Hollies -- and showed how it *should* be done: he put more care and strategy into his tributes than most bands invest in their actual albums. Witness the way he put the tribute vehicle in reverse for the Hollies. Most tributes stay in neutral. He made sure the bands were up to a certain standard, which is an irresponsibly lost art in the world of compilations (he knew that a tribute album *can't* have filler, in the way of weak bands or performances, because, for gosh sake, it's supposed to be a *tribute*!). Greg discovered bands like the Crowd Scene, who wouldn't have gotten a second glance, much less chance, from any other record company here or abroad. And it's not for lack of talent. The Crowd Scene were just one example of Greg's ear for well-produced, catchy, sophisticated pop. But he could also go for the visceral art-punk thrill of something like the Mumps, a band that more predictably prudent labels were inoculated against. And Greg wasn't only a label honcho, he was a great businessman with PR skills to spare. He knew how to communicate with people on all levels of the music machine. He also had a distinctive voice to go along with his pop acumen -- in a different world Greg could have been a deejay. Whatever different world Greg is in now is irrelevant. He made *this* world a lot better.

Brian Brumfield

I have known the Dwinnell family for many years and I am still very good friends with Greg’s brother Brian. They are the most honest, down to earth people you will ever meet. Greg Dwinnell will always be remembered by me as a man who was very talented,loving,compassionate,caring,and loyal person you could ever meet. He was blessed with so many gifts and the one that he shared that he loved the most was his expertise in music. It makes me so happy to read from all of the wonderful people who have shared stories about Greg. And as I read all of them I say to myself that was definitely Greg.

Wishing everyone nothing but the best in life. God bless to all and take care.

Pete Behr

Waiting on a friend

I had the great pleasure of knowing Greg for almost thirty years. (Of course some of those earlier years are a little harder to remember than the more recent ones.) As we all know, Greg was a benevolent soul indeed. His generosity was unsurpassed, as was his concern for his friends. I'm grateful to have been a recipient of both.

Those of us who grew up with Greg in Fairfax will never forget the many escapades that seemed to revolve around him and his devilish grin (I wonder if Tad Mitchell ever did realize how his car caught on fire). From "Fishnet" to Phil's house, we all had a blast. As you can imagine the soundtrack was amazing. It was quite an honor to be invited along to Bruce McCarty's house in Falls Church with Greg when he first started making tapes, and even more of an honor to be on the receiving end of the annual X-mas mailing (such a giving soul he was).

Over the past ten years many have experienced trials and tribulations. Thankfully we could all find some relief, be it comical, or musical, through our good friend eggBERT. As I finished reading the wonderful tributes to Greg, I reflected on the impact he had on me and smiled. "Thanks Greg!" I thought, "You're certainly missed, but you'll never be forgotten!". Cheers to you all, and keep the music alive.

Pete Steinbach

Just for grins, I went through my catalog of tapes and CDs and put them down in chronological order, including a few of the tunes from each to show a sampling of how things changed over the years; and how they stayed the same. I purposely limited myself to four tunes from each offering, and tried to include current and at least one old tune that stood out. Some of you will have these same tapes / CDs; Say The Words and Poor McCulloch come to mind. Much to my surprise, two didn't include an Elvis Costello tune (...And The Party Never Ends and Up on The Pavement)! There's an attached Excel spreadsheet, but if you can't open it (i.e., you don't have Excel) let me know and I'll send it in Word or text format.

Norvous was the last of the tapes, which was a little play on Norv Turner's name, who was then the head coach of the Washington Redskins. We used to refer to him as Nervous Norvous due to his demeanor on the sidelines. Another Skins connection was Run Ryp' Run, in reference to the cement footed Mark Rypien, who nevertheless quarterbacked our beloved Burgundy and Gold to a Super Bowl win.

If I recall correctly, Meadow Rock, the first offering from Greg, was a reference to Bloom County, which we always loved. Bill The Cat (Oop! Ack!) was so ahead of his time, and I still say Opus was a whimp. Too bad Bloom County faded into mediocrity; we finally had to give up on it...

I hated not including more samples from each tape, but you gotta draw the line somewhere. That holds true in particular for the two Pete's tapes, which Greg made after a party I had that to this day stands as one of the best. They will be highlighted when I finally have The Return of Pete's Party.

Lastly, for those who don't know the story behind it, the last CD that Greg made was from the Tribute show at the Knitting Factory called Poor McCulloch. When Chris Piller, Pat Pierson, and I visited Greg back in March, we were watching boxing one night and this Irish kid named McCulloch was taking a beating. There was no way he would win, but no way he was going down; he had a chin of granite. After a while, as he continued to get pummeled, his left ear about three times normal size and beet red, one of the commentators on ESPN kept saying "Poor McCulloch." He couldn't have been more right, but we just had to laugh...

I've been to a few shows since Greg left us, with the Elvis Costello show at Wolf Trap back on July 7th being one. Greg had wanted to come back to DC one last time, and that would have been his 100th Elvis concert! Kurt and Chris Piller, Grahame Davies and I went, and it was something beyond belief. It was as if Greg had channeled through Elvis and selected the perfect song list for the night. After the show, we shared our thoughts and everyone felt the same. My personal feeling was as though Greg had come to say good-bye, and to let us know he'd always be close by. Many tears were shed that night. Just last week I saw Bruce Springsteen, and when he played 7 Nights of Rock, I knew Greg was with us. I just hope he keeps coming to all the shows.

Hope everyone is well, and thanks for letting me share my ramblings with you all...

Pete

Chris Piller

ring ring….
eggBert…Gregory it's Christopher
CHRIS-TO-PHER!
and so continues the forever conversation with my
'Jesus of Cool'
definitve friend…man of inspiration…and pusher of dreams
how beautifully you collect the wonderful of the world and send it off
in perfect packages of love
life is short…be damned…be saved
got brains and I'm gonna use 'em
the way it goes
child star- this ain't no holiday
C L Fence & Gregory Ghost
old man I walk with you in the woods
fools and kings
the love you take is equal to the love you make
fuck me, I'm sensitive
think of me
you know I'd be there if I could
I'll come around to see you once in awhile
Or if I ever need a reason to smile
Todd is god
Greg is king
Thank you my friend
My fifth beatle
My rock n roll t-shirt
My favorite song
Peace love & understanding

chris

Scott Dipatria

The last time I saw Greg was at John Easdale's New Jersey shore shows in 2002. I met him in the late eightees and saw him occasionally until I moved away in 1993. I never heard an unkind word leave his mouth. When he spoke of the "next big bands" he was listening to at the moment, he had amazing passion and conviction. His knowledge and pure love of "our" kind of music was awe-inspiring. That last night in John's hotel room with Mark and Pete was Greg at his finest. We watched MTV2 videos like we were watching TV for the first time. As a Belle & Sebastian (one of Greg's faves) video was playing, he looked over at me and said in the most sincere, quiet voice..."aren't they just amazing?". I wish I would have told him in response how amazing he was! They broke the mold when they made Greg. He'll be sorely missed.

Sharon Dwinnell

It has been a month now since Greg was taken from us. I was blessed and privileged to call Greg my son and my friend. No one ever had a better son nor a better friend. He took care of me and helped to shape my taste in books, TV, films and even music. He made sure I had a cell phone in my car because I drive long distances alone, he made sure I have a beautiful home to live in, and he got me an HBO box so that I could watch The Sopranos and Six Feet Under. Every week we would talk for at least an hour about what we had seen, done, heard, read during the past week.

Thank you all for being his friends and for loving him. He was an incredible human being and will be greatly missed. I told him how privileged I felt to have gotten to know so many of his friends and he said "Mom, my friends are your friends" One of the things he said to me towards the end was "Mom, please keep in touch with my frrends. It will help to keep me alive" I intend to follow his wishes.

The world we live in was a better place because Greg was in it. I have to believe that Heaven is now a better place with more laughter and more music because he is there.

I Love You Greg, Mom

Paul F. Tompkins

I didn't know Greg for that long. I only just met him a couple of years ago. I consider myself fortunate indeed to have known him at all.

I'll miss him. I'll miss his passion for music, his sense of humor, his friendliness, his ever-cheerful support and encouragement

I'll never listen to an Elvis Costello album or watch a Jon Brion show without thinking of him. And becuase of who he was, that prospect doesn't make me sad. It's a comfort knowing he'll always be there.

Thanks for everything, Greg. Rest easy.

Brian Dwinnell

I am so touched to read the beautifully written tributes to my brother. The outpouring of support from his friends has gone a long towards tempering our sorrow over the loss of a truly incredible human being. It is so important to us to hear these stories, because as you are obviously aware, Greg was a very selfless individual and would never pat himself on the back for having such a profound impact on so many. For him, this was a way of life.

Greg and I grew up pursuing different tracks in life but we were always very close. People would constantly tell us that we looked nothing alike, or say things like, "How could you possibly be brothers"? We always took it as a compliment because we knew we shared so much in common yet held tremendous respect for each other for our different accomplishments. He knew I was in awe of him and he would tell me how proud he was of my achievements. I feel so fortunate that throughout or lives we let each other know about the love and respect we shared. It was a constant in our conversations and visits together. We never took anything for granted.

Greg had particular passions in life about which many of you are aware. Music is of course the most obvious. Although he would disagree with me, I don't think there is anyone in existence that knows more about great music than Greg. He had an incredible ear for talent and I respected his opinion so much that it got to the point that I would base what I listened to on whether or not he appreciated it. How could I go wrong? His taste for movies was equally exquisite and his attention to detail and ability to understand the subtle nuances of every complex film he saw was astounding, frequently leaving me dumbfounded. Another passion of Greg's was laughter. I have never laughed as much with anyone as I did with my brother. One of the greatest joys of my life was watching TV with Greg as he knew exactly what would bring tears to my eyes.

Over the past several years, Greg developed a new passion. He loved my children dearly and the feeling was mutual. Uncle Greg was a hero to my children and I will make sure that he remains an icon in their lives. He was the uncle that we all dreamed of having. He always had a toy in his pocket or would drop everything to play game in the backyard. My daughter had to write a story for school entitled, "My Best Vacation". Despite having taken trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Disney World, etc., she wrote about her trip to Uncle Greg's house. I wish you could have seen him reading that story.

Thank you for sharing your stories about my idol. We have been overwhelmed to learn how much he has meant to so many. God Bless you all!

Love,
Brian Dwinnell

Jim "Eno" Roe

I met Greg by chance. A local CD storeowner let him know about me and my Bowie collection, and the next thing I knew...John Easdale, Chris Carter and Greg were all at my humble abode checking out my records and talking Bowie. Soon, I was frequenting Greg's condo, gladly accepting the CD's and records "that I had to hear" from him and being blown away by the bands and his impeccable taste in music.

Early on, he mentioned he was thinking of starting a label, and having seen some of my graphic design stuff, asked me to design the logo for his label. It all started there while we were drinking Coke and watching television. I eventually did the design work on10 CD's for him, and each time, he was more thankful and supportive than the last.

We spent many late nights pouring over design issues, trying to meet deadlines but he always made time for me to hear the latest release, and usually had a copy for me too. One evening, Greg handed me a key to his house and asked if I'd watch the place and walk and feed his dog Sparky. I brought my young daughter over to play with the dog and even she at age 4 (at the time) was overwhelmed by all the music. Every so often, I'd get a call (The Twin Peaks Festivals, Redskin games, visits to Colorado) and I'd head over to feed the dog, welcomed by a note and a stack of CD’s from Greg.

When Greg got sick, he called and told me what was happening. I went over to the house with the intent of cheering him up, and as was his way, he made me feel better about the whole thing. We talked Elvis, golf and about my kids (now there are 3). This past Christmas, I got a package in the mail from Greg, he was battling for his life, yet he found the time to pick out thoughtful gifts for my family.

Greg was selfless and a genuinely thoughtful human being. His enthusiasm was contagious. He was the rare individual that would make you feel immediately comfortable and welcome. He took me along to many concerts and events and introduced me to some great people. It is a profound loss not having Greg to talk to, but his memory and legacy of music will live on. He is missed.

Incidentally, he never did ask for his house key back.

JR Holther

I knew Greg Dwinnell only from telephone conversations. The first one occurred after I had called eggBERT records to ask about a release date for the Bent Backed Tulips CD. Greg had an instantly likeable demeanor and after answering my question he spent a few minutes chatting with me about music.

Over the next few years, I’d call every now & then to inquire on upcoming John Easdale releases or Dramarama rarities compilations. Greg was always happy to provide any information and make it seem like we were two friends talking even though we had never met face-to-face.

When I play certain CDs, I’ll think of Greg and smile.

Rich from Pennsylvania

I had a great incounter with Mr. Dwinnell about 6 years ago. Here's the story...I had read in a local trade paper that former Dramarama guitarist Mark Englert had made a tape that he was getting around called "This Is Pop." Being that I live in PA and the tape was being handed out in CA, I had no clue how I was ever going to get a copy. So I made a call to Greg Dwinnell. My intent for a fast phone call to ask him if he knew how I could get a copy of the tape, turned into about a hour phone conversation. We talked about everything from Dramamrama, to recording studios, to guitars, to Eggbert records. One of the things I remember him telling me was how when dealing with the record label, if somebody sent him a check to make a purchase he never "held the check till funds clear." And he told me that he never once recieved a bad check, or had any problems. I know it sounds like a funny story talking about maybe getting a bad chack in the mail to buy a cd, but I remember how it gave me the feeling of a very friendly and trusting person. Within a week of our phone conversation, I had a copy of the Mark Englert tape in my mailbox along with a few Eggbert cds, all free of charge. I got right back on the phone and called Greg to thank him, and it was no big deal. I thought that it was very cool of him to take the time to hook up a music lover in Pennsylvania with some new tunes. I've been a fan of Dramarama's, and John Easdales for a long time and I know what a prt of that team Greg was. My thoughts go out to all of you. God Bless!

Johnny Long

I want to express my sincerest condolences to Greg's family and his many friends. I lived in Cali from 87 to 94 and got to know Greg through my friends in Dramarama. When you meet someone for the first time, you get a first impression. My impression of Greg was that he was just a great, down to earth guy. He was a good person and someone I liked to hang with during and after Dramarama shows. Like Greg, I loved sharing music with people and he would always tell me about new bands to watch out for. We had a lot of good times in those days and I'm glad I got to spend time with Greg. We all had a lot of laughs and memories that will last a lifetime. You don't meet a lot of people that you like right off the bat. I liked Greg from the moment I met him. I'm very, very sad that he is gone but I will always remember the good times we all had back then. It was truly a golden time in our lives. I'll miss him very much. Heaven will be a lot more rockin now that he's there. I'll see you soon Greg.

Jeff Smith

Are You Listening?
Real Audio Stream (Low Fidelity)
MP3 (High Fidelity)
Sharing music all across the land, Putting songs in everybody's hands
Songs that otherwise may have never been found, Give a listen and you're sure to come around
Are you waiting for another song? The song that lifts you up where you belong?
I'll be missing you

Are you listening to the songs from the music king?
Put the tunes on - We'll all sing

Another year, Another top 10 list, Waiting by the mailbox for the Christmas disc
The best songs of the year are here, Get the message - sometimes it's very clear
The expressions flow from every song. Every time I play that disc ...
I'll be missing you

Are you listening to the songs from the music king?
Put the tunes on - We'll all sing

Shannon Milar

"Shanny, you could wake up the next morning and there could be, I don't know, there could be a new ELVIS COSTELLO record to listen to. And THAT'S what makes all of this worthwhile."

"And that's enough?"

"Yeah, that's enough."

He said it years ago and I've remembered it every day since. At any given point I have dozens of questions stirring in my head. Mr. Greg is the one person who had all the answers. And more importantly, I didn't have an idea what the true potential of a cut tape was, until I met Mr. Greg Dwinnell...

More from Shannon ...

Morley Bartnoff

Beyond Belief For ...

The Memory of Eggbert Records Greg Dwinnell

On the first day of Summer Solstice Saturday Afternoon, my dear friend Greg Dwinnell passed away in his sleep due to disease. Mr. Bash graciously asked me to write a few too many words about one of my all time favorite people who repeatedly said to me "I love to like what it is my friends do." So within these next few too many paragraphs, is where and how I choose to feel better about his physical absence So please indulge me...

Greg signed and released record by bands and artists just because he believed in them. The term "altruistic" would fit Greg Dwinnell like a tight Elvis Costello T-shirt. An extremely cool cat with his own money that loved to be around and nurture the music of the artists and the music he believed in.

Here are some of the things I'd like you all to know about GD: He was equally as passionate about movie directors, including Robert Altman, Paul T. Anderson, and David Lynch as he was about golf, football, comedians, and the Sopranos. Bud Did I mention the words Elvis Costello? He lived every moment of his life having fun and working his record company. Within the confines of a single 25 hr day he would play a mean game of golf in the morning, send out new Eggbert releases to press and radio before the Post Office closed in the afternoon, work the phones until the call waiting refused to wait anymore, and in what would wind up being the last possible moment, attempt to make the challenging drive from behind the Orange Curtain in order to make it to your show at Spaceland or Highland Grounds! Astonishingly enough he would somehow manage to still find the time to haul his skinny ass to see Badly Drawn Boy or Ian Hunter sitting in with Jon Brion during his late set at Largo, all the while dropping off the current issue of Yeah Yeah Yeah Magazine in the lobby for you to pick up on your way out the door.

Prior to any known Internet activity Mr. Dwinnell launched Eggbert Records. He would not only put out extremely interesting records by Lance Loud, Kristian Hoffman, The Jigsaw Seen, the Jupiter Affect, Andrew and the solo disk from Love/ Lemonade's guitarists Randle and Squeezebox, but if you look closely you might also notice that Gregbert would release the chockfull of kool covers discs by the Bent Back Tulips, a not so secret identity of Dramarrama whose lead singer John Easdale would also release his first solo disc there as well.

The support and friendships between Greg Dwinnell and the members of Dramarama should never be underestimated. However, the grand standout of the Eggbert canon might just be Sing Hollies In Reverse, which many around here believe to be the best damn Tribute record ever! I remember this considerably younger lady, who paid that Eggbert disc the highest of compliments. She said "I don't know any of these songs, but this is a fantastic record."

I don't remember exactly how I met him, though it easily could have been at Paul Rock's Wild Honey Presents the Hollies Tribute show that doubled as the record's release party, held at the Morgon/Wixon Theater in Culver City 1996. I remember looking over at him after seeing a once in a lifetime performance of Jon Brion with Mike and Rusty of Baby Lemonade tear up and transpose "Sorry Suzanne" into a higher dimension. I looked over at Dwinnell and he had that Bert from Sesame Street smile all over his mustached face. It was the same smile he had on his face during the Elvis Costello Tribute at the Knitting Factory held in his honor just this past March, a show in which the entire city seemed to line up in agreement to honor him and his challenged health and to participate in a show that consisted entirely of a set list of Greg's fave Elvis songs performed by a day dream wish list of fiends and colleagues, making it the night to remember.

Did I mention he was an Elvis Fanatic?

Well? I said to him in the middle of the show's intermission. Though it was obvious how happy and moved he was, and just that smile of contentment for ... the time being, all was well in his world and ours.

We all would be much better served with freer thinking musical souls like Greg Dwinnell. And you will be far better served by visiting www.eggbert.com just to see what I mean. What a great way to respect the continuation of the spirit of a unique individual, who so enjoyed participating in the creative process of self-expression for so many people!

Rock In Peace, GD

Pat Pierson

On Saturday June 21st we lost another great human being & I lost one of my closest and dear friends, Greg Dwinnell. Besides being the founder and head honcho of eggBERT Records, Greg was a ceaseless music fanatic and an overall kindred spirit who I shared countless memories with. He's one of those great friends who made your life so much more expansive and open to opportunities. Greg and I met through a girl I was dating in New Jersey back in the winter of '86. She had just spent time living out west in California and had a collection of tapes Greg personally made her--these tapes were the ties that bound us. Greg had helped me notify my friends, Dramarama (who I was living with at the time), that they were being played on "Rodney (Bingenheimer) On The ROQ" and by the September we had all moved out west and the rest is history. ...And from there our friendship continued to grow over the next 16 years. Greg started his own record label (eggBERT) in 1992 which helped give back to the indie music community he was so much a part of and he helped give artists like Virginia's Action Figures and Kristian Hoffman room to explore their artistic whims. For more info check: www.eggbert.com.

This passed week's show was dedicated to his memory and was a major nod & wink to all the stuff he and I loved. 3 hours was not enough to cover it all, so whatever wasn't properly explored will be over the next few weeks (like Twin Peaks, The Simpsons, Diner, Robert Altman films etc.). A big thanks goes out to John Easdale and Chris Piller for calling & sharing the love & memories of Greg and what he meant to all of us. A few other friends will be calling in next week & if anyone wants to chime in with a story or memory please feel free. I will be doing a piece on Greg and the record label for the next issue of Yeah Yeah Yeah magazine.

WRSU-FM (88.7) June 24th 1pm-4pm
Greg Dwinnell Tribute Show

John Easdale

"Do You Believe In Magic?"

I can't even begin to describe, much less fit in under 10 million words, the width, breadth and depth of the impact Greg Dwinnell has had on me. It's hard to remember much of my life B.G.D; like a gigantic meteor that changes the shape, speed and orbit of a planet, he completely transformed my existence in an instant, doing it all with just a simple phone call. Yeah, he started by changing my life completely, being the cause/catalyst for a cross-country vacation lark that turned into a rewarding c-c-career in Show Biz*; but from the minute I hit the California soil, I had a new big brother who taught me everything a newcomer could need to know about the Southland, all with the worldly perspective and understanding only a fellow intelligent sub-urban observer and NY/DC exile could have provided. And after that, he taught me everything else I needed to know about life, how to observe the world, and how to extract the truth and find qu! ality amid all the crap we're bombarded with in this life.

"Do you believe in magic?" asked John Sebastian, and although it's since been borrowed and used to sell Disney flix and McBurger clowns, the idea that the music is magic still appeals, and no one was a greater wizard than Mookie eggBERT. He was that kid who always loved turning people on to new groups, new artists, new songs and styles. eggBERT was making cut tapes long before anybody called them that, and the many artists he introduced to his listeners around the world through his cassette recorder in the 70s, 80s and 90s owe him a huge debt of gratitude, although most of those performers will never know him or what he did. But when I used to travel around the country playing rock & roll, nearly every stop would include at least one or two people who knew about us through Mook--in fact, on more than one occasion, the majority of the handful that had shown up were eggBERT tape recipients who had come to see us on his recommendation.

After sharing his exquisite and impeccable taste in music in this fashion for his entire life, in the 1990s, I somehow convinced him to start a label. (He always blamed me, and recounted the story several times, although I have no recollection of making the suggestion.) His first release was by his good friends and lifelong pals Action Figures, and from the minute he started doing it, he was completely hooked. Sure, he continued making compilation tapes, eventually and inevitably switching to CD-Rs, but he loved owning a record label. It was such a perfect extension of his natural proclivities. And although it was far more a philanthropic venture than a commercial pursuit most of the time, he kept it going for over 10 years, releasing some 20-odd CDs in the process and actually turning a profit in a few of those years, which is no small feat.

Every once in a while, however, it was fun to try and turn the tables on him, so to speak, and bring him some wonderful new song or band that he had never heard of (which was no easy task) and watch him listen, absorb, and smile. There was no greater gift than that grin he gave when he liked what you had brought him.

Considering our friendship was instantly all-inclusive, it's hard for me to believe we did everything we did together in only 17 years. We traveled, went to countless movies, nightclubs and concerts, and when we weren't going out, we watched TV together, with an ongoing conversation in between it all that covered every topic under the sun. . Somehow, I found the time between those things to get married and raise a family, while he preferred a more solitary life...honestly...but ultimately, Mookie and I were closer than blood brothers for that entire time. He was my hero, my advisor, my conscience, my very best friend.We shared everything except our bodies.

I haven't even scratched the surface...but he really was the greatest guy I ever met...and I am going to miss him like I would miss oxygen or food.