Lyn Ott
Meher Baba's Instruction on canvas.
PORTFOLIO BOB BROWN
BOB BROWN REMEMBERED
by Raphel Rudd
Singer, songwriter, musician, Bob Brown died recently. His songs for and about Meher Baba span over 20 years and numerous albums. Two of his collaborators and good friends remember him here.
BOB BROWN, BOY DO I MISS HIM. I MISS him for so many reason. Where should I begin? I first met Bob in 1979. I remember the day, he just about flew in the door of my parents house with such an assured burst of energy. I thought to myself, "What a beautiful innocent soul with such a creative imaginative spirit."
Bob had one of the purest consciences ever embodied. I was proud and overjoyed to have such an intimate friendship with a man so loyal and trustworthy.
Bob was also a card, with a great wacky, unconventional sense of humor. He saw the world through the eyes of a child; he was childlike in his perception but a skilled mature man in his actions.
He was an "ideal man." When Bob got an idea (and there were a multitude of them!) that idea immediately became an action, one that usually caused some kind of monumental reaction. He inspired so many others, so many felt his essence, his singular focus of pure, unabashed love and Bob really could love. He genuinely and sincerely loved Meher Baba.
Through his music he expressed both the bliss and the suffering to be shared by all for the glory of the Beloved. He so sweetly loved his wife Jane Viscardi Brown. I' II never forget how on his death bed his main concern was how Jane would be when he was gone. I'll never forget looking into his eyes as he spoke with such compassion of how he wanted me to always be there for her.
You see, Bob and Jane were a team, an inseparable one at that. They had a highly unusual, very special relationship in which, above all else, they were truly great friends. When Mehera passed away, Jane went to India immediately. I recall how concerned Bob was about Jane's well being and safety and waiting to hear from her. The poor boy couldn't sleep. He came over to my parents' house, where I was visiting at the time. He said, "Raphie, can I sleep in the bed with you? It will make me feel more relaxed til I hear from Jane!" So there I was, lying in bed stroking his hand while he waited for that singular ring. His sensitivity moved me.
I was always happy to help produce or give an extra pair of ears or hands to one of his many projects. He composed such a vast amount of music, a really prolific writer and poet He threw himself into every performance as if it were his first and his last. Right up to the final major concert at the LA Sahavas (summer '93) in which, although he was quite sick, he still put on a masterful show with Bob's one-of-a-kind spirit./
Oh, Bob, I miss you, because I love you. I also am selfish in my love. Why? Because I feel that void in my life without you here and I miss the attention and the amount of love and support you've given me since the day we met. You've given so much to so many. I only hope that so many, especially myself, have given something back to you. What an honor that has been bestowed on you to have proclaimed Meher Baba's name through your artistry.
What a lucky individual to have such a significant and profound karma that you, Bob, have come to fulfill. You have played a very important role in the evolution and involution of this present A vataric cycle.
What more can I say than if you come here again, I hope we have the closeness once again that we had this go around. Victory is unto thee. Raphael Rudd
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Meher Baba Radio Hour
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