[This was sent to me a month and a day before Raccoon died -jp]
From:
Jim S.
Received:
August 22, 2005
Subject:
Raccoon
Hi
John,
I
ran into this guy in
Anyway,
found your email from doing a whois on raccoonsongs.com and noticed your the
same guy listed as performing on one of the tracks, and just wanted to tell him
(through you, whenever you see him next) thanks for the music and good
feelings.
Jim
From: Joan Gibbs and family – Terry Reardon,
Ben Reardon and Rochelle Gibbs
Received: September 27, 2006
Letter to Hunter/ Raccoon,
My dear, sweet little Hunter, how I wish we could sit and talk,
like we always said we would… maybe one day. Now it is too late and I wish I
had said many things. Please take with you my good wishes and travel well on
your journey to the Milky Way, to be the star in the sky that will always be
there to greet us.
As the youngest of we ten little Indians, you brought us joy and
wisdom, the bright star of our family. We will miss your creativity, your songs
and your presence with us in gatherings. We will always have you in our hearts
when we gather. The world was a better place for the gifts you left us, and
your mark will stay with us forever, for you are still a part of us.
The world did not give you enough back, for your love. You lived in
loneliness and used it as a forge for your creativity. You were not and are not
alone, but you are a part of the bigger family and came from the Big Mother
Earth. She is accepting you back now, and you will become part of the rich
tapestry of those who have gone before. You were loved and belonged to the
family of humanity, and many followers adored you. Your life was blessed, but I
am sorry if you suffered.
In 1999 you and I went to the Sundance, and we found help. I
thought we knew a lot of the same things about Nature. Then a month ago, when
we last spoke on the phone, you said you would come to
I know you are at peace. We will wait to hear your songs on the
wind. Thank you for your beautiful spirit, for the benefits we gained from
sharing your life. We know what you would want, and in some way, perhaps you
will continue on in another form. At the very least, you will live in our
hearts. Love and safe travel.
From:
Jacqui MacMillan
Received: October 2, 2006
Hello : ) Thank you for putting this together in
Raccoon’s honor ... I was saddened to hear the news about his passing. I just
saw him before I moved out of DC earlier this year. I hadn’t seen him in years
... and he just 'popped up' to say hello : ) - It’s as if he were making his
rounds to say 'farewell' ....
I have a group photo of a bunch of folks in front
of the old Crystal House in Washington DC ... I cropped Raccoon out of this
picture. I think it’s a nice shot ... he’s holding a large crystal cluster. The
picture is from around 1988 or 89 ...I took the picture, so, please feel free
to use it on the website if you would like. Thanks again for keeping the music
alive!
Peace and Blessings,
Jaqui MacMillan
www.drumforjoy.com
From: Peter Zoernig
Received: October 05, 2006
To Raccoon’s Family and Friends...
I am still in shock over this
tragedy. Raccoon left behind some of the most beautiful and inspiring songs
ever written by anybody, and as an individual he was truly one of a kind. His
lack of success on a commercial level was only because all of that is about
money and the experience of being alive was too rich for him to lower his
thinking to that level long enough to play that game. The music itself is a
pure expression of something that you can’t buy or sell at any price. The
packaging costs money but the music is free. Thanks, Raccoon.
Bessie Gibbs is a remarkable woman
who along with H. Ray raised an amazing family who are now feeling a loss that
I can’t imagine. No-one loved Raccoon more than his mother and his family, and
no-one knows the struggles and hardships and the impossible challenge of
helping Hunter Benjamin Mark Gibbs along the lonely road that he himself chose
to follow better than Bessie and her surviving children. But the rest of us
friends and fans are also grieving deeply, and we all just wish we could hear
him sing those songs one more time, and tell him how much we love him. Thank
you, Raccoon’s family, for giving us and nurturing a rare genius of
American folk music.
It’s now in the hands of us friends
and fans to keep this music alive and honor the memory of our late friend
Raccoon. We managed to get quite a bit of the music recorded. I myself have a
multitude of fantastic Raccoon stories, some of which make the magic bus seem
like an airport shuttle by comparison. You can’t make this stuff up...I have
been writing out these stories to be shared and I encourage everybody who knew
Raccoon to do the same.
Let’s do our best to preserve and
share these anecdotes and archival recordings. People like Raccoon come along
very rarely and the stories and the music should be heard far and wide!
Peter M Zoernig
(AKA General Junk)
From: Ian Gibbs (Raccoon’s Nephew)
Received: October 11, 2006
Hello to all. Sorry I can not be there in person to honor the life
of Raccoon. My encounters with Raccoon were brief and varied. A slumber party
on a trampoline. A couple of songs on Robin’s porch. A giant open field party
where he was “security” and rode around on his bike with a staff.
He did take me to my first and only Rainbow gathering. Walked me
around the camp. Showed me the Rainbow Stew. Taught me that the National Forest
is ours and we can camp where we please. I went to bed early and later he said
they ate mushrooms and danced around naked. Sorry I missed that.
And of course his songs. A tape played over and over until I could
sing along with him. He was truly an artist - deep feeling, strikingly creative
and a love to entertain. He was magnetic. Charismatic. Devious and mischievous.
Spontaneous and dynamic. Stubborn and I think the definition of non-conformist.
Free. Truly free and vast yet hindered by his own demons. A poet. A musician. A
troubadour. A gypsy. A wit that only a true Gibbs can have. A warrior. At
least, that is how I shall remember him. And yet through all his music I kept
hearing a reoccurring theme. A road weary traveler trying to find his way home.
A yearning to find a place where he could truly stop and rest his head. A home.
I think he was looking for his own personal peace perhaps. A place in his heart
where he could finally be at rest and calm. At home with himself.
I am truly sorry that he is gone. I hope you have found your way
home, Warrior. I hope you have found your way home.
Ian
From: Shen
Received: October 14, 2006
hey bro,
was so sad this evening when I heard of raccoons
passing on. been listening to him all night. hadn’t heard heads or tails of him
since
the only musician i ever met who could play the
melody with some fingers while playing the harmony with others; just wish i
could chill with him again.
love and peace, in this life, his spirit will live
with me forever,
shen
From: Cheryl S.
Received: Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Raccoon was a natural nurturer and had such wisdom. He listened,
spoke, and acted from the heart. He inspired, encouraged and taught our
musician friends. Pulling “it” right out of them for all the rest of us to
enjoy.
Every song he sang with such heart. His voice such depth. Evokes
tremendous feeling. There’s a theme of love, acceptance and humor.
My fondest memories are not of his music alone. He was great at
making idle work fun. He came up with creative ways to pass the time too, such
as stick and rock “baseball.” It was more fun than playing with a bat and a ball
and we didn’t have to buy them. He made meals by combining ingredients you
would never imagine putting together, but they were good. If you got hurt, he
was the first one to give you a real hug, stroke you and stay, “Oh, baby.”
So, thank you, Raccoon, for the music, stories, laughs, fun,
kindness, and love. Thank you for giving so much to everyone. We’re better
people for having known you. Thanks to Raccoon and John P. I had some of the
best years of my life, truly.
Keep his spirit alive by writing your own songs, sing even if
you can’t carry a tune, and dance with your children. Go outside and have some
fun. Play his music for your friends and family too. Remember your biological
family isn’t your only family. We’re all linked. We’re all one.
The last few years we didn’t see Raccoon as often. It was always
the best surprise to see him walk in or to walk in and see him there. His face
always ALWAYS brought a smile to my face.
Mourning is for the living and since I am, I’m still crying.
Before long, we’ll all be together again…singing, laughing, and
having fun.
From: Susan MacVittie
Received: October 27, 2006
Dear Family and Friends of Raccoon,
I was deeply saddened to hear of Raccoon’s passing from our
mutual friend Peter (Gen Junk). My condolences and love go out to his family.
I know what it’s like to suddenly lose a family member, as my
own beloved brother left this world in January. He was a real character too,
rode his Harley, lived on a sailboat, flew the Jolly Roger and was a blues harp
player. I’m thinking the two of them are probably having a great jam session
together right now!!
I met Raccoon with Peter at the '86
He will not be forgotten and I wish that I could’ve had the
chance to know him better, but I’m grateful for those who have sent pictures
and stories to the website.
Thank you Raccoon, I will continue to keep your spirit alive by
playing your songs and dancing!
Many blessings to the Gibbs family,
Susan MacVittie
From: Christopher (Matt) Buchanan a.k.a. Solar Shield
Received: November 07, 2006
I met Raccoon in 1990 in
I was kind of a wild child when I first met Raccoon, and the many
friends I made through
From: Jim Browne
Received: November 11, 2006
I first met Raccoon at the July 4th Smoke-In the early 90s and he
gave to my brother the cassette Road Kill. We later watched him perform and
were diggin' it. After we got back to
Guess how hard it hit me to see the events of 9-11 unfold...and
what screamed out in my head…
“When the concrete mountains come tumbling down? Where you gonna
run to, where you gonna hide, ahhh where you gonna hide?”
It
hits a deep spot in my heart to hear of Raccoon’s passing, but i believe he is
fine in his new home. I am grateful for knowing his face and sharing his music.
From: Brad Forrestel
Received: November 13, 2006
I have only met Raccoon once-- at his wedding. I was about 13 years
old at the time. My mom, Eileen (Renzi) Forrestel was a cousin of Raccoon
(Hunter). I heard of Raccoon’s passing from my mom who came home from the
funeral with one of his CDs, Nature’s Cathedrals, and I love his songs. I have
not had a whole lot of contact with the Gibbs side of the family -- maybe once
every couple years, the last being 2 years ago in Linden, VA for the forth of
July. Unfortunately, Raccoon was not there but I had the opportunity to play
with some of his brothers/sisters/cousins. I would have liked to have had the
opportunity to play with him and regret that the first time I had heard his
songs was after he had passed. I am grateful however that he did leave us with
his songs, and I’m glad that I got to “know” him in this way.
I want to say that I think it’s great that you started the MySpace account as
well as manage raccoonsongs.com for Raccoon. It’s a great tribute to him and
his music.
Thanks again,
Brad Forrestel
From: Diana
Received: November 14, 2006
Remembering U My Dear Hunter:
Looking back to when you were a shy 12 yr old u asked me to accompany you to
the dance - I did and u stepped on my toes and we took a walk and sat and
chatted for hours. We grew closer and closer as time passed and we were sitting
looking at the radio tower and u wrote sparks. We later went to your house and
you and your dad sung together. I could go on forever with our memories.
Sitting at the campfires. Laughing with you and your mom at the condo. U
singing at my house and later in years to my kids. I loved you so much – I
still do. Our pictures always hung in my room and I still listen to all the
cassettes. No one will ever touch my life the way u did and still do. Rest in
peace my love and fly with the angels. I know u will visit in spirit with all.
From: Tenali
Received: November 21, 2006
Greetings,
Sorry for the late reply but I have been away from the net for some
time but I came across this site and was caught off guard. I recorded some of
Raccoon’s music at the Idaoh 2001 gathering, as well as, the MI 2002 gathering.
2 of his songs (Dumpster Diver & Dancin' 'till Daylight) are available for
listen/download here... http://rainbowtribe.net/idaho2001.html.
Another song,
From:
Lee Davidson
Received:
November 22, 2006
I
am so very sorry that I missed this news. I learned of Raccoon’s
passing just last night. I have cried many times since and I don’t think
I am ready to say goodbye. I don’t know if I ever will.
I
have known Raccoon for about 18 years now. We spent a lot of time over
the years talking, laughing, cuddling, singing and I listened as he
tried to resolve the struggles we all face on a daily basis.
I
remember having a crush on him back in the early 90s. At Billy Beams he
came on the microphone and called me out of the crowd to sing with him. I
was so nervous but excited. We sang Yahweh and it was such a wonderful
feeling to be singing with such a great songwriter and friend.
This
is us.
http://oddiments.com/WuyekArtGallery/Raccon/Copy_of_817230_R1_03_8aa
I
will miss the song bird and all of the joy and love that he brought to our
campfires.
Bessy
and Robin - I knew you two more then the rest of the family and I am truly
sorry that he is gone. I wish the best for your family.
Raccoon
- I will see you in another life. Keep smiling sweetie.
From: debilee
Received: November 26, 2006
i never met Raccoon in person, but his
Rainbow Warrior tape found it’s way to me during a Georgia waterfall journey
back in 1989 and his songs have lived in me ever since ... i later wrote to him
and got a copy of Road Kill along with a sweet note ... i was just searching
the web to see if i could find his music on CD to accommodate modern technology
and found your site ... even without ever meeting him, his spirit touched
my own and filled my heart, along with many others i am sure ... i have no words
to describe the sense of communion in listening to him sing his songs ... like
you say, it seemed as if he saw home elsewhere and that he was one of those
sacred beings here for a short while to help others on their way ... my
blessings to all who knew and loved him
debilee
billie swamp safari
seminole tribe of
863-983-6101
extension 111
From: Bill Ford
Received: November 30, 2006
Hey John, I read this on the web site and it brought back a
memory.
Quote from the Raccoonsongs web site: “You can pick your friends
and you can pick your nose but you can’t pick your friend’s nose!”
Raccoon’s words of wisdom to John and Lori’s on their Wedding
Video of 9/19/03 in
It was at one of Bill Yeager’s Halloween parties in
The moral of that saying is, you can choose who you hang out
with, and you can clean up your act; however, you can not clean up the act of
the people you choose to hang out with.
My dad said this line to me many times when I was young so I learned the
moral early on. Later that evening,
after my dad’s band had left, Raccoon came to me and said, “Bill, your dad is
really cool …seriously.” That made me
feel really good; that someone I held in as high regard as Raccoon thought my
dad (another person I held in the most high regard) was cool.
My dad passed away in 1997 and I still miss him like he just
left us. I miss Raccoon too, and I hope
that somewhere out there, there is a place where Raccoon and my dad are playing
music together. Of course, Raccoon will
have to tighten up on his
Bill Ford
From: Carrie DeMott
Received: December 1, 2006
After so many years I was
compelled to do an internet search to see if I could find any Raccoon
CDs - it has been a long time - and discovered his passing. I am so
saddened. Thank you so much for posting this tribute. Raccoon and I
parted ways in 93, as life tends to put folks on different paths.
He was an inspiration to many,
if not himself.
I attended his father's service
at the orchard and am glad that he was able to be put to rest with his family,
no doubt to old songs sung by everyone. He always knew he would come
home.
Having tons of pictures in
storage, when I am able to get to
Raccoon helped me pick out the
college I went to. That might surprise some folks. He was very
supportive even though it hurt him to send me on my way.
I wanted to send my sympathy to
all of his friends and family.
Carrie DeMott
*** YOUR
THOUGHTS GO HERE ***
Peter Zoernig’s Raccoon Stories.
Some great things people had to
say about Raccoon that were posted elsewhere
on the web.
The Shades website has some more
kind words about Raccoon.
John’s Fuzzy Raccoon
Memories.
GOT A RACCOON STORY/ANECTDOTE/WHATEVER? SEND IT IN.
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