TRIBUTE FOR TOMMY FARLESS BY RON PERRY
I am heartbroken. Devastated. Part of my youth, and part of the world as I know and understand it, died today. His name was Tommy Farless. There are some people who are destined to make a mark in the world, and Tommy Farless was one of those people. Anyone who ever saw him sing has his image and his voice permanently etched into their consciousness. It was an experience no one EVER forgot, and it was an experience that left a huge, lasting impression on my life.
He never became famous or rich. Like a lot of musicians, he struggled with demons and didn't have the easiest life, but when he had a microphone in his hand, he was a king, a hero...a god. There has never been any musician that has been such a big influence, or that I have looked up to more in my life. I would give my left nut to possess the talent he had in his pinky.
With everything I have ever done in music, my main goal was just to try and be as good as Tommy Farless, although I knew that would be an impossibility. Every vocal I ever tracked, I listened back and thought "how would Tommy sing it?" and then I did what Tommy would have done. I still listen to his recordings and draw inspiration.
His voice can only be described as a cross between a sparrow and a lion. He was the fiercest, most powerful and expressive singer I ever heard, bar none. he could croon a lullaby and turn around and let out a blood curdling scream that would rattle your skull, all in perfect pitch.
To know that he is no longer here in this world shakes me to the core. I was honored to get to know him and become his friend, and although we weren't super-close, I am glad that I got the chance to let him know exactly how I felt about him. He was my hero, my idol. I loved him. I have heard it said that the greatest musicians in the world are people that you've never heard of, so ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the greatest rock singer who ever lived...Tommy Farless.