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Over the years, I have heard many wonderful reflections, remembrances and reminisces of Gary McFarland from friends, family, associates and others. But, unfortunately I haven't done a very good job of sharing these with others. I hope to correct that here. I will endeavor to add more as I get more...

From Robert Fischer - July 2009

I WAS OUT IN THE HAMPTONS THIS 4TH AND WHEN I VISIT THERE I ALWAYS THINK OF MY GOOD FRIEND, GARY MCFARLAND. I WROTE THE EULOGY AND SPOKE IT AT HIS FUNERAL AT THE SPRINGS CEMETERY.  STEVE KUHN PLAYED THE RECORDER SOFTLY UNDER A NEAR TREE.  IF I REMEMBER IT WAS RAINING THAT DAY AS WELL IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

I WRITE TO YOU BECAUSE IT'S ONLY RECENTLY THAT I FOUND THAT YOU'D WRITTEN SO MANY  GOOD WORDS ABOUT A MAN WHO WAS ONE OF MY DEAREST FRIENDS. I MET HIM WHEN, AS AN AGENCY CREATIVE DIRECTOR, I'D ASKED HIM TO WRITE AND PERFORM A PIECE OF BG MUSIC FOR A COMMERCIAL I'D WRITTEN.  AFTER THAT, WE WORKED TOGETHER MORE AND MORE AND IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE WE BECAME SUCH CLOSE FRIENDS.  GARY AND GAIL AND MILO AND LITTLE KERRY USED TO VISIT US THAT SUMMER THAT SALLY (MY EX) AND I TOOK A SMALL PLACE ATOP A HILL IN MENEMSHA IN MARTHA'S VINEYARD. I REMEMBER I HAD TO RUSH BACK TO NYC AND GARY AND I "HOPPED" A PUDDLE JUMPER TO FLY BACK. BUT FIRST LEAVING GARY OFF IN BOSTON SO HE COULD CATCH A "DIZZY" CONCERT.  I DON'T KNOW IF YOU EVER FLEW WITH GARY, BUT IT TOOK A TASTE OR TWO OF CALMING FLUID TO GET HIM TO RELAX.

I SPENT SO MUCH OF MY LIFE WITH GARY AS A FRIEND.  WE WENT OUT TO AMAGANSETT TOGETHER AND HE AND HIS FAMILY AND SALLY AND MYSELF LIVED ONE BLOCK FROM EACH OTHER.  GARY AND I WENT TO STEPHEN TALKHOUSE TOGETHER THE YEAR IT OPENED. RAY PARKER USUALLY JOINED US.

MUSICALLY, GARY MADE SURE I HAD COPIES OF EVERY ALBUM HE MADE.  I STILL HAVE
THEM, OF COURSE. OFTEN, I'D GO UP TO A&R WITH GARY AND SIT IN THE CONTROL
ROOM WITH DAVE SANDERS AND COMMENT ON TAKES WITH HIM AND GARY AFTER
EACH SONG.

OFTEN I'D BRING GARY AND HIS WHOLE FAMILY OUT TO LONG ISLAND TO SPEND THE
DAY WITH MY MOM AND DAD.  AND BEING THAT THEIR SON NEVER GAVE THEM A SON OR DAUGHTER, THEY LAVISHED LOVE ONTO MILO AND LITTLE KERRY.

THE MEMORIES NEVER STOP. ALWAYS...A NEW ONE POPS UP.  AND I'VE NEVER HAD
A BETTER FRIEND THAN GARY. SADLY, MY MOTHER MISTAKENLY THREW AWAY THE
NEGS OF MY WORK, BUT  I HAVE A WONDERFUL COLLECTION OF GARY AND GAIL 
AND MILO POSITIVE PRINTS.  AND, OF COURSE, I HAVE THE ALBUMS IN VINYL.

I DON'T THINK WE MET.  BUT IF YOU WERE AT THE MEMORIAL SERVICE IN ST. THOMAS'
CHURCH ON FIFTH AVENUE (THE DAY PRIOR TO THE FUNERAL), YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN ME ON THE STAGE, "GARY" BEHIND ME AND HIS WIFE AND KIDS IN THE FRONT ROW WATCHING ME AND LISTENING TO ME INTRODUCING ALL OF GARY'S FRIEND WHO'D COME TO DEDICATE A BRIEF MUSICAL PIECE ....  BUCKY PIZZERELLI, AND BARNES, AND EVEN JULIE LA ROSA CAME TO PAY THEIR MUSICAL RESPECTS. AND HOW MANY MORE!!!  I WENT HOME, NOT JUST SAD, BUT EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED.

AND, THOUGH I'D HEARD ABOUT MILO...I NEVER KNEW WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO 
GAIL. NOW I CAN PUT THAT TO REST. SHE WAS TRULY THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE AND HIS BIGGEST BOOSTER.

BEST TO YOU AND THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, DOUGLAS PAYNE.