A Toronto-born member of American rock group the Black Crowes has died.
Eddie Harsch, who played keyboard with the southern rockers between 1991 through 2006, passed away at age 59 on November 4. A cause of death was not given.
Although from Toronto, Harsch was drawn to Detroit music scene in the 1980s and lived in the Motor City until he returned to his home town 10 years ago.
Born Edward Hawrysch, he joined the Crowes after the original keyboard player became Eric Clapton’s musical director and suggested him as a replacement.
He worked on the Crowes’ 1992 album Southern Harmony And Musical Companion, 1994’s Amorica, 1996’s Three Snakes And One Charm, 1999’s By Your Side and 2001’s Lions.
In Detroit, he also regularly jammed with groups such as the Detroit Cobras and Bulldog and clocked time in the studio with Kid Rock. He left the Crowes just before their break-up in 2002 and rejoined the band for their reunion in 2005-2006.
Harsch’s latest project was Magpie Salute, a band he formed earlier this year with ex-Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson and other past Crowes members Sven Pipien and Marc Ford.
“It is with the saddest of hearts that we bid farewell to our dear friend Eddie Harsch,” Robinson wrote in a Facebook post. “Eddie was a brilliant musician, with a beautiful heart. We should remember Eddie for his music, his great sense of humour, and his positive outlook on life. We ask that everyone please respect the privacy of Eddie’s family at this time. Let’s honour him by celebrating his musical contributions to the world, and by sending positive thoughts and prayers to him and his family. Our hearts will forever remain with our musical brother.”
After returning to Toronto, Harsch became a fixture in the city’s Bloor West Village neighbourhood.
“He didn’t like to talk about the past, but when you got him going he talked for hours and hours about music,” says Roman Tchoryk, a friend for the past eight years. “He was so much apart of the community. Everybody knew him, and he loved and took care of his mom.”
Friends and family gathered for a wake on November 7, and have erected a small memorial of flowers in the alleyway behind Runnymede Station.
“He would sit down with anybody and talk to them,” Tchoryk adds. “He had a way of making people feel special. He was one of the funniest and most charismatic people. I’ll never forget him.”
