In Memoriam: Drew Glackin
Multi-instrumentalist Drew Glackin, one of New York’s greatest, most sought-after and best-loved musicians died yesterday of cardiac arrest after collapsing in a hospital emergency room on January 3.
Glackin played virtually every fretted instrument ever invented, and also played keyboards. He could channel any emotion a song called for with fluency, fire and soul, serving as the bass player in the Silos and also as the lapsteel player in the Jack Grace Band. In between those two demanding gigs, he somehow found time to play or record with innumerable other bands and artists including Tandy, Susan Tedeschi, Graham Parker, the Hold Steady, Maynard & the Musties, the Oxygen Ponies, Willard Grant Conspiracy, Mary McBride, the Crash Test Dummies and countless others.
As a bassist, Glackin propelled the Silos and others with a fat groove and uncommonly melodic style. As a guitarist, dobro, steel and mandolin player, he matched passion with restraint. Although gifted with blazing speed and exceptional technique, he never wasted notes. For that reason, he was constantly in demand. Offstage, his dry wit and down-to-earth personality earned him as many friends as his playing did. The New York music scene has suffered a great loss.
Lucid Culture 
Sadly, I never got the chance to share the stage with Drew. For one reason or another, our schedules never worked out that way. But he was always available to give advice, work on a guitar or pedal or offer encouragement. I guess we always figured we’d get around to it… and it is with my deepest regret that we never did. Drew’s charm, personality and talent are irreplaceable but his smile will forever dwell in my head. A great loss indeed.
Wow, Still in shock.. known Druppy since 1985 in hartford when he was playing in the Commuters. I will miss him deeply. as he would have said “ya think i ain’t”
this suck so much
Maybe it’s fitting, but the first I heard of Drew’s death, was an e-mail regarding an album he wouldn’t be appearing on, which led me to this website. Totally in shock at the passing of this vibrant, funny and wonderfully talented musician.
A loss for so many of us. He squeezed about 20 musical lives into a single frame.
What an indelible soul.
What an enormous loss this is. Drew is irreplaceable. I first saw The Silo’s in Baltimore and on their return visits there and sat in with them at Patrick’s in Knoxville. I have a photo of myself and the band from that gig that Drew signed “From one road dog to another”. His lap steel playing was amazing and he & Konrad comprised THE best rhythm tandem I’ve ever heard. Period. He will be sorely missed but always in our hearts.
I sat in the back, watching, learning, and humbled by Drews great talent. First it was a loss for us in Hartford when he left for NY. Now it’s a loss for all of us. G’day pal.
i am stunned by drew’s passing….a lovely guy with a genuine wicked sense of humor..a few weeks ago while DJ’ing at Midway, a guy came up behind me and gave a little shove….i immediately smiled when i recognised drew, spoke of lap steel players, as he cocked his brow at every mention of another player in the game….will miss you bro….smooth sailing to the other side….one day we will play again…give my best to don gilbert..c
i actually found out about this when seeing a tandy concert listed on a sharing group… how unfortunate.
i met drew doing promotions for tandy when they toured. they were playing against the jayhawks (at another venue) virtually each night of their tour, and still he played the same no matter the turnout.
Saw Drew play steel for the first time with Jack Grace, must have been 10 years ago at this place where Jack played every week. They did Let Your Mind Do the Talking, which I think is Jack’s best song and Drew took one of the best solos I’ve ever heard. Absolutely blew me away. Knew him as a good bass player, but that was something I’ll never forget. And a real good solid guy, too few people like him around, he’ll be missed.
His playing wasn’t beautiful. It had a quality to it that was authentic, sizzled and was downright dirty in all the good ways. Soul-stirring and organic and just plain brilliant. The photo of him as a giant Winnie the Poor completely captures his dark wit and larger than life personality. We will all miss him. South by Southwest just won’t be the same without him. So missing pooh.
now breacks the noble heart
good night sweet prince and flights of angels
sing thee to thy rest
goodnight my brother i’ll see you on the other side
Drew was such an amazing guy and he’ll be missed by everyone. I feel bad for people who never got to experience his hilarious jokes or his passion for music. You’ll be missed, Drew!
met drew at carmine street guitars in mid 90’s when he first moved to the city from conn. he joined eudora and we played together for a few years. he was the sweetest, coolest, kindest, easy going human being i ever knew. the most gifted musician and a true friend. you will be missed every single day, my dear droopy.
Drew is and was a great man. I will sorely miss you, Drew. My thoughts and prayers are with family and friends at this difficult time. I will continue to cherish the great memories of you, Drew.
I am broken-hearted over the loss of my friend Drew. His smile and his love of life will always be with me.
[…] have gotten some love here on the Hayride. A memorial page can be found here. We will play a set of Tandy music on the program next week and pass along some additional […]
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