Pat Leonard (Moving Targets) R.I.P. Options

[MrAl]

I don't think anyone posted about this yet. If so, my apologies. Pat Leonard has passed away. Kenny Chambers wrote this on his blog:

Pat Leonard 1966-2008

Pat Leonard was like my brother. We met when we were kids, growing up in Ipswich, Ma., we quickly formed a bond of friendship and musical comaradere that would spread over thrity years. The connection we shared in our two bands, "Iron Cross & Moving Targets", was a true musical chemistry. Like many brothers, there were times of tension and disagreement, but underneath, always a reliable trust. Aside from my own father, he was the first guy to whom I ever said, "I love you man". We never had trouble letting each other know that we really cared about each other.

Playing music with Pat was always exciting, often explosive, and constantly an inspiration. He was a star in the best sense of the word. Playing live, he embodied the definition of stage presence, moving like a flamenco dancer with a knife held between his teeth insead of a rose. He played with such power and agression that he became well known for breaking strings on his base guitar (which is a pretty difficult thing to do). His handsome dark looks ensured that the targets had some sex appeal, and that Lenny would have some girls trying to get his attention while we blasted through our set. He was a force to be reconed with on all counts.

Pat didn't have a mean bone in his body. He would do anything for a friend and never looked for thanks. Lenny never held a grudge in his life that I was aware of, and I always knew that he would be there for me if I needed him. There was a pure honesty that guided his personality that was rare and touching. I remember being on tour with him in 1994, and going to a party after a gig. Our host had a couple of guitars lying around and we traded songs in the living room, recalling our earlt days jamming in his basement. We played, "Castles Made of Sand" by Jimi Hendrix, and got teary eyed on the last verse because it's such a sad fucking song. That's what music meant to the two of us.

In later years after we no longer played in bands together, I would often (but not often enough) visit Pat at his home in Jamacia Plain. He continued to play music and started writing songs of his own, evenutally building a home recording studio to capture his music, as well as making records for other bands. He just kept getting better at it, and would give me a call to come visit and hear his latest compositions. His songs had the intensity of The Targets, and the deep straight forward emotion of what was inside of him. I couldn't help but be proud of his accomplishments as a song writter. It continued to be an important part of his life, and he put together some great bands along the way.

Through out the post Targets years I lost count of the number of times that fans and fellow musicians came to me to sing the praises of his talent as a player. He really was someone they all looked up to.

In the last year I moved to Los Angeles and spoke with Pat on the phone a handful of times. Three nights before I got a call from Pat Brady telling me that he had passed away, I had a vivid dream that the three of us were together again, playing music. Like many dreams, I couldn't make much sense of the meaning of it, but it was the second time in a week that he had come to me like that. I had been trying to contact Pat recently, but his phone was disconnected. I could only guess that these dreams were his way of trying to reach me. It still hasn't sunk in that he is gone. I'll never forget my friend and brother. I am grateful for the time we spent together and the music we made. Rest in Peace. I love you.

[stoneylarsen]

Oh my God...I just saw the guy like 4 months ago and he did sound for us at The Midway.

My wife noticed that he wasn't well, and asked him if he had lupus (as her mother and aunt have it).

His reply was he took a drag on his cigarette and said "I got everything sweetheart."

Rest in peace Pat. It was a pleasure to have met you. I would have liked to have had a few more conversations with you.

[Mark VI]

jesus. i saw him a few months ago. R.I.P.

[EricDoberman]

Pat was a unique, talented and good man.

I first met him when he came through the clubs I was working, and later recorded with him at his place off of American Legion Highway. I last saw him when he was doing sound at The Pond. This was about six years ago.

RIP Pat, and condolences to all who knew him.

[Rockit]

I'd met Pat thru Kenny and while I didn't know him all that well I really liked him a lot and he was always super nice to me whenever I'd run into him and I'd always have a nice conversation with him. I had a very cool time hanging @ his house one NYE before a gig @ The Midway. I really wished I'd seen Targets play while he was in the band because everything I'd heard him play on has blown me away.

[ScottyFuse]

I can't believe this. Total bummer. Pat was a good guy.

[kreg]

I knew Patrick Leonard well. He recorded several bands that I played with as well as doing live sound.In a year where I have lost some good friends I can not believe another has fallen. Goodbye Patrick.You will be missed.This is awful news...

[green eggs&ham]

OH NO! ....how sad,it's true he was a true gentleman and among one of those who set the bar for bass players to come R.I.P.

This post has been edited by green eggs&ham: Nov 1 2008, 04:19 PM

[Mob Hit Greg]

Pat was a really good guy in the handful of times I hung out with him. He did sound at one of our shows in late May at the Midway and he came in like the cavalry when the sound got fucked up. I could tell he really cared and wanted us to be at our best. He handed me the live cd he took off the board. He said "You're gonna be happy with this..." and he smiled which I really appreciated. I have known for years that this was a man whose passion was for music (And his beloved dogs of course )and getting bands to sound their best live and especially in recordings. I have a lot of friends that he did recordings for and he always did a masterful job. God bless and rest in peace friend.

[ShawnRefuse]

That is god awful. I am going to dedicate my set to him tonight and have a pint in his honor.

[Jesse Vön Kenmöre]

Sorry to hear this .Very sad news.

[FrankD]

"He played with such power and agression that he became well known for breaking strings on his base guitar (which is a pretty difficult thing to do)."

exactly my best memory of seeing him play.

Sorry for your loss Kenny

[SG John]

Very sorry to hear this. I met Pat through a review I did of his band Lenny. We had always talked about eventually trying to put a project together. He was a real nice guy and always fun to talk to.

RIP Pat.

[allswellgirl]

Such sad news. RIP.
I only met him a few times, but I do remember his sweet demeanor and sparkle for a pretty girl.

[mach313]

I can only add my voice to the others here...
a great guy and player,everytime i saw him...
My thoughts and condolences to his family and friends...
R.I.P. Pat

[Streetkid]

R.I.P. PAT!!...I miss talking you about stupid things that only you and I knew..but you always got it because you were 'there'..Wished we stayed in touch after these Real Kids sessions.This sucks.

J.

[Muso]

Didn't really know Pat, but my hat is off to him as an essential member of a great band. And seems to be universally recognized as a good guy from all I've heard.

[MrAl]

I also had a long talk with him during a Midway show this past summer. He'd definitely been through a lot in his life and I'm sad to see him pass away so young... it really gives one pause. Awesome bass-player... R.I.P.

[Brian McCaffrey]

This is really sad news. I got ugly drunk last night after hearing this. If I offended anyone, please forgive me.

Didn't want to believe it, but I knew in my heart that this was coming. Pat was carrying the burden of poor health and severe pain for a long time and he was pretty brave about it. I used to marvel at his ability to survive his difficulties. When I first met Pat about ten years ago he was as physically strong as a cage fighter, and as dangerous. To see him in the physical state he was in the past few years was very sad.

Patrick was a very rare musical talent and had a level of genius in his creativity that was beyond his ability to speak about. I think if he had been half as good a self-promoter as he was a creative force, the whole world would know him. I got to hear a bunch of his solo stuff that he did over the years in his studio. On most of it he played every instrument and sang. I was blown away by the depth of the songs and the sweetness of the playing. He seemed to think of making songs as no more important or noteworthy than building a shelf.

We used to call him "Lenny" or sometimes "Crazy Lenny", which pissed him off so we stopped. But Pat was a very funny guy when you got to know him and it was funny to me that he called his band Lenny. He had a sense of humor about himself. In the end I remember him as a beautiful guy: humble, kind, funny, eccentric, thoughtful, and freakishly talented. He was tired of pain. At least now he doesn't have to carry that load. I loved Pat and I'll really miss him. My condolences to friends and family. RIP.

[FrankD]

someone should make sure that those tapes survive onto digital format, it would be a shame to miss his creations

[MERZ]

Wow, weird...I JUST thought of him yesterday.
I knew he hadn't been well for the last few years, but I hadn't seen Pat in a long time. He was definitely an intense dude and a great bass player.

RIP, Pat.

Kenny, sorry for your loss.

When and how did this happen? (I know this might not be the place for these details...)

Kurt

[duncanwilder]

Man... sorry to hear this....

My Condolences.

[kreg]

Does anyone know if there is going to be a wake or funeral? What was the cause of death? Any information would be appreciated.

[ShawnRefuse]

Does anyone know if there is going to be a wake or funeral? What was the cause of death? Any information would be appreciated.

Agreed. I would like to know more too. (really just about wake/funeral i don't care about cause. just a sad day in music is all that needs to be known)

[BuddyLee]

I knew Patrick Leonard well. He recorded several bands that I played with as well as doing live sound.In a year where I have lost some good friends I can not believe another has fallen. Goodbye Patrick.You will be missed.This is awful news...

Some of the best shows The Decals played he was at the soundboard. He did a nice job recording you folks, too.