Remembrances of Bill Lanphier (1949-2022)

Remembrance
by Terry A.

Had the pleasure of meeting Bill twice at Glamis. Realized quickly that I was outclassed in the riding department and the tequila department. Fun times riding (more like hanging on for dear life) and enjoying some very fine tequila around the campfire with a group of people that I met through Bill's ATV chat room. Because of him, I have had the pleasure of meeting a great bunch of people that I'm proud to say are still my good friends. Bill, may you rest in peace and thanks!

Remembrance
by Barbara B.

Bill was such a wonderful musician, a good friend, and such a character. He will be missed!

Remembrance
by Ron B.

Back in high school, I hung with a musician who knew Bill. Bill hung out with the cool lead singer of the cool band -- The London Assembly -- who I'd see at the Pink Panther. One day my musician friend, Rick Gourley, took me over to Bill's house, and another cool guy, Jim Over, was there too (see his remembrance). To my huge thrill, they told me how they liked my hair! I was high on that for a week, still am actually.

Remembrance
by Tom B.

Bill was a great friend and jazz mentor. I have fond memories of him driving us to gigs and sitting in the back seat with a big string bass wedged carefully into the remaining space of his car. He loved playing all kinds of music as long as the groove was good. He had a fondness for bluegrass music, the genesis of which is still a bit of a mystery to me. We frequently went to bluegrass jams that were held at some real dives. He had a hard last 16 months and his suffering is over now. I'll miss him.

Remembrance
by Shree Shyam Elton B.

Great musician, great writer, with a life story worthy of a documentary! Sad that I never got to meet him when we lived in the Bay Area, but I had the honor of working at Bass Player and Bass Guitar when he did; the lesson he wrote to accompany my profiles was especially juicy. Rock on, WBGO!

Remembrance
by Simone B.

I met Bill only 5 or 6 years ago when I saw an ad for a jam group on Nextdoor. It turned out he lived practically "next door" -- around the corner. Bill led each jam with very few words, but with a dedication to high standards. Hence his mantra: Keep practicing with iReal! Thank you, Bill.

Remembrance
by Lacey Jewell C.

I’m so so sad to hear of his passing. What a delightfully witty and kind human he was. My heart hurts for all who loved him and were moved by his music. So many fond memories of his parties over the years.

Remembrance
by George D.

RIP Wild Bill! You gave me my start in ATV journalism. A great mentor and friend. Twist the throttle in heaven, WBGO!

Remembrance
by Brian D.

The world lost a great man on Friday morning [Nov 4, 2022]. He’s a legend in the ATV industry for all his stories he would put into 3&4 wheel action magazine, ATV sport magazine, Dirt Wheels Magazine, and even some in other countries, such as Spain.
He was also a great musician. When he wasn’t traveling around working for the magazines, he would keep himself busy playing gigs all across town. He was such a great bass player, he actually toured with Madonna in the 80s as her bass player. But the genre of music didn’t matter to him as long as he got to have a good jam.
I remember the days when we would jam out in the backyard next to the fire, then roast some marshmallows and making s’mores. All the awesome rides we would have ripping Pismo up day and night. The random trips to fly up to visit. Hitting the batting cages and racing go karts. Going to Glen Helen to watch the ATV nationals. Even the night we were walking back home from the bowling alley and Rex followed us back. These will be some of the great memories I will forever hold and cherish.
He always had a goofy personality and he always had a big heart for his friends and family. Thank you for everything you’ve taught me growing up, always being there for me, being a great role model, being one of the greatest friends I ever had, and for being an amazing person.
This isn’t goodbye, it’s just a see you later, my buddy Bill.
Love you Uncle Billy.
Ride in Paradise, WBGO

Remembrance
by Reva F.

I will always have a warm spot in my heart for Bill because he was so nice to me, even though he didn't know me. He was very encouraging and genuine.

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by Mary F.

Drinking an afternoon whiskey and reading thru old Billski charts from Top Dog Run days while his memorial happens on the Left Coast. It would've been lamb roast weekend in the Before Times. Feeling lucky that I got to be in your life for a time, Bill. Slàinte...

Remembrance
by Mike F.

I loved Bill as a neighbor, friend, and a musical mentor. He gave me an appreciation for what a "conductor" really is, a leader who can hear it all and bring us all together. AND have fun!
Even in the throes of his illness, he could always hear when I was out of tune.
He will be greatly missed ... in many ways.

Remembrance
by Mark F.

He played in our tambura band Lole for a while. It was always great having him on gigs, so steady and good-natured and fun. I especially remember fondly the rehearsals at his house in Albany, and the great backyard BBQ parties. We'll all miss him a lot.

Remembrance
by Nancy F.

We met in 1988 and as many times I turned down your calls, Bill, I'm glad I finely gave in. You were a great musician, writer, photographer, smart and eccentric to boot! You had that racing blood in you thru your dad Bob which brought you to your ATV’s, Dirt bike racing, Mt biking, Snow Skiing. Instead of putting Bill into Ski School, I took the risk myself to teach him. He was amazing and loved it! Wanted to take pics of me doing jumps! Wild Bill you were...
Now you are free to roam and are with the real loves of your life...Margaret, Bob and Avis having a good time! I’ll see you later, Bill...

Remembrance
by Valeri G.

Rest in peace dear friend! You are one of the finest musicians I know. I enjoyed the music we played together, and the time we spent at Mendocino Woodlands and at your house. I hope you will find a great band to play with up there.

Remembrance
by Bryan and Rosie G..

I feel that I knew Bill fairly well, having played dozens of gigs together over the years. He was, of course, a terrific musician but also one of the sweetest people I've ever met. Losing Bill is/was a terrible blow, and we will miss him profoundly.

Remembrance
by Juliana G.

I am so sorry and sad about Bill's passing.
He was a sweet curmudgeon and a badass bass player. I have many fond memories. He's surely keeping an awesome groove going in heaven.

Remembrance
by Stanley G.

I'm so sad for Bill's passing and am with all in feeling the enormous loss. He was so generous with his time and creative energy. He contributed some wonderful bass tracks when I was working on a recording project of mine in Christos's studio. Then he flew out and played live with us for some CD release concerts! I am grateful for these special moments with Bill — indelible memories of a true human being.

Remembrance
by Christine G.

Bill and I have been friends since HS, never losing touch through the years as they crawled by: From his first 'roaring' around car (a Nova) — bet Josh remembers that — and all the early concerts downtown (Chicago) and going to the early gigs, here or there, and showing up for his Madonna gig (Dallas venue) to the North Hollywood days.
It has been an absolute heart breaking year, and it just all seemed so 'wrong' to hear him struggle to find words by last December and then his rapid decline from the February series of set-backs. I'm grateful for Jan's updates along these months, but it is a terrible & shattering outcome.
Music was in his soul and all of you who contributed and shared those moments know how much you meant to him. Keep your music pouring out.

Remembrance
by Gerry G.

Bill was an affable and generous guy, both on and off the bandstand. What more could you want? I'm glad to have known him and to have shared some bright moments in this all too fleeting life. Good vibes always.

Remembrance
by Josh H.

I connected with him about a dozen years ago. Was surprised to find him in the SF Bay Area rather than LA. He had made a music career including backing up Madonna and mostly I think doing lots of session work. He invited me to a lamb roast he was having and we were both very happy to connect. I saw him only a few times after that and mostly at a few sessions I did at Fantasy studios in Berkeley.
I knew him from high school, and I remember him being great at transcribing music, but he seemed an ok drummer, not a great one. One thing that I am glad I got to see was when I recorded him at Fantasy, he was incredible, like working with the first call session guys I am lucky enough to see record in Nashville. I would have relished having the three of us talk again. Wish I had known he was sick. I had no idea. R.I.P. old friend.

Remembrance
by Jeff H.

July 31st, 2007: Bill and friends took me for my first MTB ride on Angel Island ahead of our road trip to Dunefest in Oregon. I learned to enjoy rice cakes, sardines, organic peanut and McDonalds filet-o-fish sandwiches on this trip due to Bill's food allergies. Every trip with Bill was an adventure.

Remembrance
by Irine J.

Bill had a huge heart, a curious and adventurous soul, and the mischievous spirit of an adolescent boy. Even at the ripe old age of 58, he was an agile athlete, and a daredevil on wheels — on his ATV, motorcycle, or doing mind-boggling stunts on his bicycle that would stop 15-year-old boys in their tracks to watch and applaud. A cat whisperer of sorts, he genuinely loved cats, and and could spot one in the dark blocks away, coaxing them to come to him. Rex was definitely a wonderful companion to him. Bill was not only an incredibly gifted musician in almost any genre, able to sit in and jam with the best, he was also a brilliant writer, and an all-round artist. I’m saddened to hear of his passing, but heartened by all the outpouring of love from friends whose lives he has touched. I am one of them, and grateful that I knew him. Thank you, Bill. May you rest in peace.

Remembrance
by Gregg K.

Long ago we played some good music and had fun with The Rippingtons and other gigs. Bill was a great musician and dry, witty guy. A true renaissance man with his second career as a writer. So sorry to hear of his passing.

Remembrance
by Gerry K.

I'll always remember those great times playing jazz with Bill at the First Street Cafe. He was my partner in rhythm, and we had those share moments of grooving together. After negotiating a tough tune at a challenging pace, we shared a smile of success at holding it all together. We were buddies. I'm so glad we met.

Remembrance
by Allen K.

Bill drives his van up into the dunes, probably where it is parked in that photo. Adam Campbell and I have been drinking a bit and swing buy the camp, and Bill is already asleep in the van. So Adam and I start digging around the tires and after a while it drops a bit, then we go to the other side and it drops some more, meanwhile we are giggling like little school girls, going side to side until we have that thing framed. About then Bill gets up looks around, doesn't see us and gets back in, to find the mess we left him the next morning. Yep, he needed a tow.
[And the time] I take Bill Lanphier AKA WBGO on a trip to Holland with me for the Veronica Beach Race. Everywhere we go to eat Bill brakes out his Q card of all the international things they call MSG. He would ask to speak to the Chef and show them his card letting them know he had an allergy to MSG. Never once it a couple of weeks did any cook admit to using any MSG. So we go into this little lunch spot on a backroad, and Bill goes into his spiel, getting the "cook" out because trust me this place did not have a Chef. He interrogates the cook on MSG. Then he asks the cook if they have any authentic Dutch chicken, the cook looks Bill straight in the eyes and in very good English says Chicken is Worldwide. Me and Chargin Charlie Shepherd were laughing so hard you had to pry us off the floor.

Remembrance
by Russ K.

I met Bill when I was a Junior at De Paul University. We played in the jazz band together. I got Bill his first road gig. We played concerts at colleges in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma. He played electric bass and I played percussion and piano. Thirteen years later we were recording radio and TV jingles with the best musicians and producers in Chicago. It was great and we had fun.

Remembrance
by Dawn K.

AABA. Where are we? Bill = A1. Thank you for always being kind.

Remembrance
by Rick K.

It was always a joy to hang with Bill. No matter what was going on in his life, he always made a place of comfort and sharing for me. The drinks and meals we shared, his support of my musical endeavors, and the opening of his house to me are truly some of my life's treasured moments. For quite a few years I stayed once a month with Jan and Bill. This made it possible for me to attend workshops and lessons with my shakuhachi sensei.
Bill had many interests and pursued them all with a passion. Often we just hung out, but sometimes I would arrive and he would have a project he was working on. Once it was his keen delight in looking at photos from Mars on his computer. He needed 3D glasses to view them properly. After we searched Berkeley for a photo store that still carried gel filters, he procured the proper ones and installed them in an old set of glasses frames. Then we viewed the Mars photos in all their splendor! I really loved these kind of shared adventures with Bill.
I have one of his upright basses. Bill may have left the building but there is a room inside me where I can feel his presence whenever I play that instrument.
I miss you dearly, my friend.

Remembrance
by Mike L.

I sure remember that ride where we couldn't keep up. Another ride, at night, he was riding doubles and SMOKED us all in the pitch black with his 2 mini headlights! And for sure remember the mortars. Him and I went out to set just one off. After the KA-BOOM it was complete silence, as if the mortar sucked all the sound out of the air for a good 20+ seconds, then as you mentioned car alarms going off for miles around. Have a pic, somewhere, of him on the yellow 250R with the sweet PEP ZPS shocks, flying OVER Jeff as Jeff is flinging sand upwards.

Remembrance
by Pat Mac.

Lost another close friend of 20+ years yesterday. A humble, generous, hilarious, talented and beautiful human. Bill & I played Balkan music together in The Baksheesh Boys, touring from San Diego to Portland. After he moved to Albany/Berkeley, I visited him often and he stayed with us often here in north Los Angeles. To our kids, he was Uncle Bill and insisted on building a fire and making smores whenever we were passing through and stayed with him. Bill travelled the world as a musician and as an ATV magazine writer; ATVs being another lifelong passion. Bill loved sweets, great cuisine, California oysters, single malt Scotch, and was famous for his morning smoothies. He swam with whale sharks in the Gulf of California; drank whiskey at distilleries in the Hebrides of Scotland; was given the keys to the city by the mayor of Pont-de-Vaux, France; played bass with The Toids, Janam, Nevenka, Christos Govetas, Rippingtons, Rickie Lee Jones, Art Garfunkel, Carpenters, Linda Ronstadt, and Madonna as the touring bass player for the Live Aid & Like a Virgin tours. He never bragged about these accomplishments, but boy did we rib him about the Madonna connection. Bill wrote for Bass Player and Bass Musician magazines as well. A favorite article: “TIME: It’s Not Just a Magazine”
In his final year, he was cared for day and night by his partner Jan Woo. I didn’t see him for the first two years of the pandemic but visited in April and again three weeks ago [before Bill died]. I didn’t think he recognized me but he kept asking, “Where is your gig tonight.” And when I was leaving and kissed him on the head and said “I love you, Bill,” he replied “I love you too, Pat.” I am heartbroken and will miss you dearly, brother.

Remembrance
by Michel M.

Bill Lanphier nous a quitté hier. Tous ses amis musiciens, quadistes et journalistes vont le pleurer.
Il a beaucoup fait pour la renommée mondiale des 72 Heures de Pont-de-Vaux depuis le début des années 90. Il aimait venir chaque année et visiter la France tout en assurant des reportages très complets et pros dans le monde du Quad. Ce que l’on sait moins, c’est qu’il a tourné et enregistré avec de grands noms comme Michael Bolton, Art Garfunkel, Rickie Lee Jones, Madonna sur le Virgin Tour et Linda Ronstadt.
Il était très fier de sa médaille de citoyen d’honneur de PDV. Bill, avec tous tes amis, on parlera encore longtemps de toi en écoutant ta bonne zic et surtout en sirotant une bonne Mauresque (Berger blanc SVP).
Repose en belle musique.

Remembrance
by John M.

What terrible news. He was a brilliant musician and such a great guy to play music and spend time with. Rest in Peace.

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by Rudi N.

I can't think of jazz without missing Bill. He had a tremendous impact on my playing. A most talented, patient and giving soul. May he rest in peace.

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by James O.

We were friends in high school. “Memphis” was his nickname. We were each other’s daily drive senior year. Dry sense of humor. Natural musician with a good ear and perfect pitch. Goodbye my old friend. Hope to see you somewhere down the road.
A couple of “Memphis” stories from high school. Bill transferred to Deerfield HS in his Junior or Senior year. He was in my home room and had longish hair which was against school policy at the time. We would both keep our hair greased back to avoid getting busted by the principal. We were in the HS bathroom fixing the odd lock that had fallen out of place. and Bill said, “Wouldn’t it be funny if the principal walked in”. Next voice was the principal’s. Bill took off. I got busted with a pass to the barbershop.
After Senior year everyone was going for the Beatles look. Bill’s dad was not a fan. I lived about a half block away and one day he just burst into my house in a total panic, runs through the kitchen, dining room, living room, out the patio door and leaps over the fence yelling something about his dad and scissors. Thirty seconds later his dad runs into the house with the scissors wanting to know where Bill was. LMAO at the time.
We called him "Memphis" because he had this drawl and moved in a slow, deliberate way. We had volleyball in gym class (DHS) and Bill would just stand there. A ball came his way he wouldn’t move until the last minute and would then step aside or raise an arm to avoid getting hit in the face. But he had great reflexes as anyone that rode in his Simca could attest to. Could have been a professional race car driver.
Bill’s musical ability was a real gift, but other than taking music theory in HS, it wasn’t obvious that he had that gift. He didn’t follow any of the traditional paths. I don’t think that he took any lessons. He wasn’t in orchestra, or band, or any of the things that high schoolers with musical ability do. We were both in garage bands in high school, but he didn’t stand out. He played drums and was a good drummer, but one-on-one was different. He he would amaze me with his ability to play odd time signatures, both on the piano and the drums and unusual progressions and scales. And he was always exploring music, jazz, Latin, African music, anything out of the mainstream to broaden his musical knowledge.
It wasn’t obvious to me in high school, but looking back, Bill was an artist following his own path. Would like to have had one more opportunity to talk with him.

Remembrance
by John P.

One in a million! I loved Bill! I've been blessed with many life-changing, life-long friendships, all born from his efforts. It was through him that ATV Scene was born. I met my good friend George through Bill. We got our start in the ATV industry when Bill headed up the very first organized online ATV e-zine. Pretty much, it was his chat room (aol/atving) that shaped my direction through life. Best part I got to tell him all this, and it made him smile huge. Highlights from more than one OEM-ride-intros were shared bus seats with Bill, his humble happy-go-lucky personality, his music adventures, the crazy So Cal and San Fran gripes he had, his dry sense of humor and our genuine respect for one another. Gone but never forgotten, and heaven-bound for sure.
Godspeed, WBGO

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by Dale Q.

I remember watching Bill drive into Pismo beach in that van for our photo shoot, I couldn’t believe the way he was able to drive it over the dunes. Rest in peace, Bill

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by Steve R.

My dear friend Bill is gone. He was one of my very favorite musical pals. A brilliant musician with an immense musical imagination. He was loyal, cantankerous, stubborn, shy and generous.
My condolences to Jan, whose tender and dutiful care was with Bill these many years. And condolences to everyone Bill shared music and life with... He and Jan were one of the few who came from California to attend my wedding. He agreed to learn a bunch of music and to play a set with Kafana Republik, my band at the time.
Bill's passing leaves a big hole in many hearts, including mine. Never has that phrase "may his memory be a blessing" seemed so appropriate. I will never forget Billski.

Remembrance
by Mark R.

Played with Bill a number of times at the First Street Cafe and other venues. Such an accomplished musician, but also a warm and supportive human being. Always looked forward to spending time with Bill, as much to play music as to just hang out.

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by Terry S.

Having a bass player and friend of this quality in the apartment upstairs from mine was just a songwriter's best luck. Besides teaching me the groove percentage difference between a gig in Chicago and one on LA, or how one arranges a backward version of New York, New York — or as a player, just how one chases perfection, Bill was just a warm and enthusiatic influence.

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by Saskia S.

Bill, your bass playing made me want to dance! Especially with Brazilian music. Thank you with love.

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by Michele S.

He left his mark in so many hearts.

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by Lila S.

It was an honor to know Bill and to play with him. He was definitely one of a kind.

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by Jay S.

I met Bill as I was changing a flat tire in front of my house. His "open door" policy found me at his house often, enjoying his company and of others. Life changing. Really. Next to my wife and two kids, Bill moving to Talbot was up there. You go, Wild Bill Get Off!

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by Lily S.

I remember him laughing about Madonna sending dagger eyes if he messed up a single note. What a looked in that photo! Dang!!

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by Bill T.

Does anyone know who gets the jar of belly button lint and toenail clippings? I'll miss you, Memphis.

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by NG T.

I’m happy to say that when I met Bill Lanphier it was a four string bass world. A wonderful soul in my life left the building!

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by John U.