My cousin Kevin Lafferty passed away a few years ago at the age of 54 to Lymphoma. I was heartbroken at the news. Kevin started playing the Banjo when he was 8 years old and was a real, musical prodigy. He switched to the guitar by the time he was 13 and was amazingly good.
He loved music and would spend the rest of his life in the field. After he graduated from Berkley College of Music in Boston, he began to teach, tour and spent most of his time as a studio musician doing back-up for some major players in the 1970's, '80's and '90's.
I was always in awe of his talents and wry sense of humor.
Take a listen to his cover of Jeff Beck's "Too Much to Lose".
This was recorded live in 1984 at The Gables. The photo montage clearly shows how the disease was consuming him, but he never gave up his smile or sense of humor. He was truly a phenomenal musician.
