Bill also played piano and organ. It was a special treat when he'd
come to my house and play the piano in our living room. He was passionate
about music yielding to it from a place deep inside. He was the
first person in whom I recognized their passion. Bill would play for
hours, often with eyes closed, leaning his head close to
the keyboard so as to get as close to the music as possible.
One night in the basement at my house, Bill and a few other guys
came over to jam. Bill brought some sort of electronic box that made
strange rhythms. By pushing buttons and turning knobs he could
change the sound, rhythm and tempo. It seemed both ridiculous and
irresistible at the same time. It was a clumsy quirky "instrument"
but typical of Bill Shaw, he was the first one we knew to use a
"synthesizer drum machine" which years later became standard fare for
many bands.
Bill left Hinsdale High School for reasons unknown to attend school
at the Central YMCA High School in Chicago. I thought it was very
brave of him to go to school in the big city. The very next year I
departed Hinsdale High School to find myself a student at Central
YMCA also. I thought I was very brave also. Had it not been for Bill
I wouldn't have dared venture into the city for school but he helped
me and we had fun there for a few semesters.
Bill was the first of our friends to marry and have a child. Ground
breaking events for us teenagers. He was a faithful husband to his
wife Suzy and good father to his daughter Celeste. His first
apartment was in Chicago's Old Town where only the very hip people
lived at that time. They later moved to Rogers Park in Chicago where my friends
and I were often welcome.
As I matured and ventured into business starting Moss Hill Natural
Foods, I saw less and less of my old friends. People began to move
and marry and regrettably, I lost touch with Bill Shaw.
Update 09/15/07: Bill Shaw is
alive and well living in California. Just got off the phone
with him. Goose bump moment! It was as if no time had
passed since we last spoke. Bill is semi retired having sold
his piano store and is playing drums and keyboards. He asked
about you all and has only fond memories of our collective youth.
More to come... Bill has a 20 track CD and 1968 vintage video
soon to be posted here.
Recent and vintage photos from Bill
Shaw. Click thumbnail to view larger image.
