are always welcome
"I am devastated and heartbroken at the death of Guy Babylon. Guy played over 1000 shows with me, and we worked together on The Road To El Dorado, Aida, Billy Elliot, Lestat and Gnomeo and Juliet, as well as on countless albums. He was one of the most brilliant musicians I ever knew, a true genius, a gentle angel - and I loved him so much."
"Guy was a quiet shy man with a sweet disposition who worked long hard hours to achieve what he did best, make wonderfully creative music. He was a warm and gracious presence in any room he entered. He will be missed and remembered with affection by all of us."
"Anyone who knows Guy will tell you how shy and modest he was. I would always ask him how the Swim Meet went - he would be competing with other great swimmers, some younger than him - his reply was always the same and SO out of character that we would both crack up: "I smoked the opposition!" That is how I'll remember Guy - He smoked the opposition. Goodbye my dear friend."
"No one can really begin to understand the amount of time that Guy and I spent together. I think the first meeting was in 1985, and since then, to now, we're talking some pretty serious hours logged together, both making music and hanging out. I find it extremely hard writing these words without feeling selfish. Selfish that I can't share Guy's life anymore. Yes, share his life. That's what people do when you are in a situation like the one that we had. In the past 18 years, we've spent more time together than we have with our own wives and children. And it was all great. Even the crap parts were great. I feel foolish telling you what a fantastic musician, keyboard player, person, friend, husband, father, brother and son that Guy was, because if you knew Guy, then you would know that. I thank God for the time that we spent together, but I don't understand God for taking my friend away. I pray that his family finds the strength to go on with their lives, and that others he touched can also find a way to move on without him here. One of Guy's favorite sayings was, "There are no goodbyes on the road". I guess in this case, my dear friend, we will have to make an exception."
"It always amazed me how Guy could focus so deeply on his work and dedicate himself to a passion, whether it be music or swimming or sports of almost any kind... One more mystery of a man who lived his life on his terms - completely comfortable in his own skin, not worried about being judged or criticized and always happy to be on the outside looking in. Just when I thought I knew him or his routine there was always a surprise waiting around the corner. He always kept me guessing - and now unfortunately he still does.
"I doubt I will ever meet anyone so dedicated to their art. To the point of staying up all night, forgetting to eat, losing complete track of everything and everyone around him. Eyes closed... far away... floating... half smiling in some harmonic sea of sound. I hope he's there right now."
"Dear Guy,
It is with deep personal sadness that I am writing these words to you. Thank you for your wonderful friendship throughout these many years. I am, and always will be, inspired by you as a person, a friend and an outstanding musician. Your patience and perfection in creating your own style of music, especially in the studio when you would be first in and last out, and still working when you got back home, was remarkable. I never heard you complain about anything, as your focus was on the project at hand. I will remember each time that we went onstage and I would say to you "we are going to give 110 % tonight" and your reply, as always, was "but Nigel, there's only 100 %, there can't be 110 %". To me you always gave 110%. I promise you that you will never be forgotten and that Schanda, myself and our family will always give love and support to Kathy, Jessica, Max and Ben. God speed dear friend."
"I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Guy for the past 21 years. Not only was he an amazingly talented and dynamic keyboard player, he was a real musician's musician. His attention to detail and the daily tweaks he did to his huge library of keyboard sounds made him stand out from the rest. His contribution was second to none in everything he was involved in, from playing on live shows and recording sessions to orchestral arranging and record production.
"Guy was also my friend....he was our friend. He was a quiet, gentle man, but he was also very approachable and always had a smile and kind words for everyone. There was nothing that was too much trouble for him and he would never think twice about coming up to my hotel room at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning to fix yet another computer problem that I was dealing with. Maybe now it's time I switched to a Mac!
"Guy, Bob and I had a special friendship and had countless laughs and great times together.....we'll both miss that very much but the memories will live on. We will all miss you very much Guy, you were such an integral part of our road family and things just won't be the same without you. I'd like to send my love and support to Kathy, Jessica, Max and Ben. Be strong, be proud....Guy was a wonderful husband and father who thought the world of you.
Rest in peace my brother. With love and respect".
"The first time I worked with Guy in front of a large audience was at the Elton John concerts that took place in Boston and New York. After helping the band rehearse for the Captain Fantastic Anniversary tour, I was invited to join everyone onstage and sing with the nine member choir Voice of Atlanta, who had been touring with Elton for a while. It was strange for me, because they were a set group, and I didn't want to feel like an intruder. The choir even had their own little stage set up firmly behind Guy's keyboards, and there wasn't enough room on it for even one more body. But Guy made sure that wasn't a problem. You see, Guy and his keyboard tech, Tony Smith, rigged a little 'stage' for me out of Guy's keyboard cases that somehow connected to the choir's sturdier platform, and provided me with a safe spot to stand on, dance on, and sing my little heart out. I admit it was a little shaky at first sight, but as soon as the show began, I don't think I really needed anything to stand on anyway.
"I remember looking over at Guy many times during those concerts. He was such an awesome player. So completely involved in making what he did sound more than perfect. I couldn't help but wonder if he ever even used his keyboard cases. I'm not sure if anything could have kept them contained."
"Guy was a fantastic gentleman and so easy to work with. He accommodated any idea. I can't remember even a hint of any difficulty with him...ever. Whatever it took, he was happy to work on. If I wanted to change the part he was playing, or anything like that, he was completely amenable. He was like "Okay." Just like that, you know? The great thing about him was, if you had an idea, it was like, "Okay!" And it happened, you know? He'd get it to work. He was just fantastic for that."
"Guy was a beautiful soul. Talented, gentle, witty, a great dad, a great friend and always willing. I was humbled every time we worked together at his talent vs. his lack of ego and his sense of humor at moments when there was live ammo in the room. His unexpected passing highlights once again how fragile we are."
"I've known Guy since he came into this world. He and my son David Greene, took piano lessons together from Mrs. Bell, they attended school together thru H. S. I've had the privilege to attend concerts when they were in the MD area, last one at Nationals in DC along with his parents. He was truly dedicated to his family and MUSIC... He will be treasured and missed by many."
"We are absolutely devastated by the terrible new of Guy's death please pass on our deepest sympathy to his family. We have watched him dozens of times live and will truly miss his presence on stage."
"Just read about Guy, I can't quite believe it, how tragic, what a nice, gentle man he was. My heart goes out to his family and I feel sad for Elton and the band and for the loss they must be feeling. May he rest in peace."
"I am so sad. I am so devastated too because Guy Babylon died. In October 22nd 2008 I saw him in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. I was in the third row. He laughed all the time while he was playing. He loved his work. I don't have many words to describe my sadness. God bless him."
"We, Brazilian fans are very saddened by the death of Guy Babylon. His talent, his sympathy, his shyness and genius will be forever in our hearts! It is a day of mourning and sadness for all the fans in the world."
"Our hearts and prayers go out to Kathy, Max, Ben and Jessie and Guy's mom and dad. He was a wonderful man and so kind. We knew him through our son Billy Trudel that was once with Elton as a back up singer.God bless them and him."
"I am so sorry to hear about the sudden passing of Guy. I live in Maryland and went to Francis Scott Key High School and graduated with Guy. We are deeply shocked back here in his home town to hear this news. Please pass on my thoughts and prayers to his wife and family. What a shock to lose such a great musician."
"I am saddened to hear the news about Guy Babylon's passing. He was indeed a gifted musician, orchestrator and arranger. His presence will undoubtedly leave a hole in the world. Having been an Elton John fan since the early 70s, I have come to feel that Elton and all who have come along with him are a part of my weekly life. In fact, I was just with them 'in person' on May 19, 2009, at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Please pass along my condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Guy's family, to Elton and to the rest of the band and crew. May Guy rest in peace."
"From Argentinean Fan Club, we wish to send our condolences and respect to Guy Babylon´s family and to the band for this terrible misfortune. We are shocked at this bad news and we are praying for his soul. God bless you Guy, we'll miss you. We'll never forget you, because of that you will be in our hearts forever."
"Back in the day I was fortunate to jam with Guy when I was playing electric bass. He would set up his keyboards by his parent's swimming pool in New Windsor. Once, when he was working with Alice Cooper, I called LA and got his answering machine with this ethereal melody. Love to all who knew him."
"I am so saddened and upset to hear of Guy Babylon's untimely passing. The fact that I saw him perform twice during this past year - The Red Piano in Vegas in November 2008 and Face2Face in Toronto in May - I consider a blessing I will treasure forever. I will always think of him during the prelude to Funeral for a Friend. Such an accomplished musician whose passing has left a huge void in the music industry... I respectfully pass my condolences along to everyone whose lives have been touched by the 'Gentle Angel'."
"Guy accompanied my vocals on the piano in 1972. Our performance of Carole King's Tapestry received a standing ovation from the entire high school population. I can still see the memory as if it happened yesterday."
"Just wanted to send a note to say how sad we were to hear of Guy's passing. Guy was a track teammate in high school. We'd come in from practice and he'd head to the piano in the cafeteria and play till his parents came to pick him, up or the janitor threw us, out whichever came first. He didn't play in the band and orchestra in school, so not everyone knew how talented he was. Guy and his sister, Donna always had a good word for everyone. Our sympathy to Guy's family, to Donna, parents and friends."
