I learned on Christmas day that my uncle Rick passed away last Tuesday. I always thought of Rick as a hobbyest drummer, but my dad told me that Rick actually played on a few albums that I’d heard of. I know one of the tunes really well, and I always liked it, but now I can’t stop listening to it, analyzing every note in the drum part. The song is “Precious and Few,” a hit in the 1970s by Climax. I bet you’d recognize the song. You can listen to it by clicking here. (Please don’t report me for posting that. It’ll be our secret.)

It’s surreal learning that a family member played on a song that I know well, but learning of his connection to it only after he passes away. I never knew Rick well, so being able to listen to him play drums on this recording feels like a chance to finally know what he was like.