UPDATE: Nels Cline sends us this obituary for Sky Saxon, his “first rock idol.”
UPDATE: Members of the Source Family remember Sky Sunlight Saxon, also known as Arelich.
L.A. RECORD is deeply saddened to learn that Sky Saxon—mentioned only days ago in our interview with Isis Aquarian, historian of the Source Family—has passed from an as-yet-unspecified condition this morning in Austin, Texas. Saxon’s wife Sabrina reported that Sky was in critical condition yesterday and after a tense and troubled update she posted today that “Sky has passed over and YaHoWha is waiting for him at the gate. He will soon be home with his Father. I’m so sorry I couldn’t keep him here with us. More later. I’m sorry.” Our writer Jed Maheu spoke to Sky in 2007 and found him optimistic, energetic and determined:
It is time for the independent to rise to the top. I feel I helped give birth to this which now must be ever so. Green energy—which is money—will sometimes be hard to get but if the true artist is selling his own music, he’ll find it liberating and fun and won’t have to wait for some ignorant person at a record company to tell him his music is no good or the truth is most people are out of touch. Everybody knows anything new comes first from the underground. These people wait like vultures for someone to bring them something. When that happens it upsets the balance because if they were really that great, in time they would have made it on their own and on their own terms. So for music—the main goal is to bring enjoyment and soothe the savage beast of man. That is what I have always wanted to do with my music. And I want to keep it as pure as possible. That is why up to date I have not bothered with major labels for I feel they really cannot afford me. So don’t ever sell yourself out. If it is at all possible, be as independent as you can.
We offer our condolences to Sabrina and Sky’s other family and friends. Sky’s music and sheer presence will always be a part of Los Angeles music history. More information from other reports here and here.
1 Rena // Jun 25, 2009 at 11:28 am
Sky Sunlight lived fully, and had a life full of people whom loved him. Here’s to his history and amazing musical legacy. The records are still golden.
2 Lord Tim HUDSON // Jun 25, 2009 at 12:59 pm
we coined the term FLOWERS/POWER/CHILDREN/GENERATION UP IN MY HOUSE AT THE TOP OF WONDERLAND /LAUREL CANYON/ONE NIGHT INDEC 1966 TO PROMOTE HIS GRIUP THE SEEDS
WHAT COMES FROMA SEED BUT A FLOWER
I SO HOPE THIS PUTS AN END TO THE DEBATE/OF HOW THE FLOWER GENERATION SPRUNG TO LIFE SORRY IT WAS AND NEVER WILL BE SAN FRANCISCO
RIP
SKY MY DEAREST OF OLD FRIENDS’
WE WROTE A POEM/SONG/ TOGETHER ABOUT OURSELVES
MUMBLE AND BUMBLE
FLOWERS TO MR FARMER
Lordtim.com
3 joseph justin // Jun 25, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Goodness, what sad news…it was just this sxsw that I got to meet see hear sky when he fronted my friends band, shapes have fangs…got to make some phone calls. – joseph justin
4 L.A. RECORD // Jun 25, 2009 at 3:48 pm
We were reading about your band, Joseph. Our sympathetic thoughts to you and yours.
5 E Aquarian // Jun 25, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Sky Saxon was my Brother. In YaHoWha . . . our Spiritual Father – who name him Arelich Aquarian.
Sky was a dear and gentle soul and the real thing. He did not speak ill of anyone – always had something positive to say of everyone – was always respectful of all and knew exactly who he was.
He will be remembered fondly by many and leaves a big hole in alternative rock and role. The dogs of the earth have lost a great champion.
On a light note, we – the Source Family – were living in Hawaii in 1975 and I had lined up a gig working in the muddy tropical rain forest. I asked for 10 of our brothers to help and Arelich (Sky) showed up in satins and patent leather shoes ! We shard a laugh about it for years.
Many who would be saddened by his final passage might be comforted to know that death is not the end. It is the beginning. Life and death are but the bookends of our lives. Arelich will have a smooth and easy passage as his soul reviews his life’s river for the next 3 1/2 days. The Source Family is arranging for 24/7 live chanting of the Sacred Name of God during his Rite of Passage.
Everything that happens – every circumstance and event – is for your own Soul’s Growth.
YaHoWha, 1973
6 Jimmy Valentine // Jul 1, 2009 at 11:45 am
I have difficulty describing the influence Sky had on me. And will continue to have on me.
In the few years I knew him he taught me a lifetime worth of lessons. Sky taught me to never give up. Sky showed me the way of forgiveness and true love for my fellow beings of all sorts.
Sky taught me patience. With his help he taught me how to make a great album (Pisces Rising was produced by him over the phone and on line!).
The musical legacy he left us will continue to enrich our lives and the lives of those yet unborn for ages to come!
Right now I just want to reflect on the loss of my friend and teacher…Perhaps at a later time I will get into more detail, but more than likely I won’t.
So many people were always trying to ride his cosmic and very long coat tails.
For me just having him as a friend and being blessed with having worked with him for a brief time is enough…If Sky taught me anything it was that with my heart in the right place and my mind unpolluted, I don’t need to be anybody’s side man. I can shine on my own.
So in closing I would like to say thank you Sky. Thank you for seeing something in me that I did not. Thank you for your influence and helping to shape my music. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your love.
I love you and I will miss you my friend…
Jimmy Valentine
7 JM Dobies // Jul 1, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Dig this podcast tribute to Sky:
THE MAL THURSDAY SHOW #16: Riot on Sunset Strip Revisited (Dedicated to Sky Saxon)
http://blip.tv/file/get/Malthursday-TheMalThurs...
8 Dave Wallin-Eddy // Jul 18, 2009 at 11:21 am
I had posted right after this went up but I don’t see it – anyway – thanks for the mention of Sky’s death. Too many media outlets are simply ignoring him as if he never existed. Sky was part of the Hollywood scene, not only in the 60’s, but in the 80 and 80’s where a whos who of the music scene would play with him or cover his songs – The Droogs, Bangles, Redd Kross, The Pandoras, Liquid Mirror and the list goes on. From metal to pop to punk – he influenced so many bands then and now it is more of a shock his passing has been tossed aside as if nobody cares.
Feel free to use one of my photos if you want for any articles: Sky Saxon at Summerfest Press day
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