Thomas Scofield, the former FSM Messageboard member (always insightful, particularly related to Les Baxter's music)?!?!?
No, this is really tragic! Can't believe it. We've already had TWO deaths among the FSM membership over the years, and this is the third.
Thomas Scofield, thanks for all your exchanges over the years and for being part of this community. I never knew you personally, but you seemed like just the guy I could sit down with - over a coffee or a beer - and just chat about film scores and everything else.
This is very sad to read. Thomas was with us for a long time, and he was our resident Les Baxter expert. He used to e mail me at various times encouraging me to rent videos scored by Baxter. Then he disappeared. He came back later saying he had suffered from a painful back and severe depression. Then he left and came back for only a short time. I'm not sure any of us really realize how much severe clinical depression can cripple us. I'm deeply saddened by this, and I hope there is Baxter music welcoming Thomas to his new resting place. R.I.P. Many of us will remember you, Thomas.
Sad news. Which brings up a point....when a collector with many rare items passes on, what becomes of the collection? Because I would imagine that most people couldn't give a rat's ass about Les Baxter rarities etc. and relatives may(God forbid) take the whole thing to Goodwill or have a garage sale.Thomas wrote me once telling me that he had many tapes he got from the original composers personally.They should be given to someplace like Screen Archives or a university.
This is very sad news indeed. I remember the incident and the subsequent apology just soon after I joined the board. Having been through periods of depression myself, I could relate to his heightened emotional state.
Oddly enough, a thread on Les Baxter is on the board currently. I too first heard Les Baxter's music from those metal speakers hung on the car window next to my dad.
