Staff Blog
In Memory of Josh Sack
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| Josh Sack |
Sometimes life just knocks the wind out of you. How can you be in your early 20s, reading eulogies and singing at a memorial for your drummer and lifelong pal on the day your first CD is released? That’s what happened to local band the Brakes.
Josh Sack, also a music teacher, had been in treatment for leukemia for months and hadn’t played with the band since October, but he was in remission. He’d even made it to a rehearsal last week, and was scheduled to go in the hospital for maintenance work on Monday. Sunday came first with shortness of breath and a sudden end in the hospital.
To avoid causing Sack’s family and bandmates more pain, I spoke to Jesse Lundy, the man who gave the Brakes their first breaks and then went on to manage the band. He is audibly in shock. “I’ve known Josh since he was 15.” That’s all of seven years, way too short a life for a promising artist. Sack and most of his Brakes bandmates — Zach Djanikian, Matt Kass, Derek Feinberg and Adam Flicker — have been pals since sixth grade. They developed into serious musicians, members of the Lower Merion High jazz band. When they were all around 15 or 16 years old they sent an mp3 of themselves jamming on “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” to Lundy at the Point that was impressive enough. Repeat performances there built a following. The Brakes hold the record for highest attendance at the Point, according to Lundy. Over the years the Brakes evolved from jamming to songwriting, strengthening the bonds along the way.
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Reflecting on the packed memorial service, Lundy states, “I don’t know how they did it. I don’t know how Zach sang, how Matt spoke. They were like brothers.” Thinking about the shiva, Lundy says one of the saddest parts was seeing dozens of Sack’s drum students. One kid was so bereft the Sack family gave him a pair of Josh’s drumsticks. “He looked lost.”
“The band were supposed to leave today on tour,” says Lundy. “We postponed it a week, but they are going to out on the road. Everyone agrees the best way to heal is to get out on the road and get these songs out there.”
Read Matt Kass’ touching eulogy here.
Info on the Brakes' CD here.
Thanks Mary…well said, and appreciated
Beautiful.
Man, life is not fair. Cliche it may be, but every day is a gift.
Josh’s spirit and drumming performances with The Brakes helped to rekindle the beat and rhythm of my youth. Thank goodness for the release of Tale of Two Cities for although Josh is no longer with us in form, his beat, his rhythm, his spirit and memories of his passion will always be in my heart and my spirit. He followed his passion for life and he lived his life fully until his passing. Now Josh is on his next journey. Follow his example and that of the rest of the Brakes Band and live YOUR LIFE fully, NOW. Don’t wait! Life is short. Just do it!