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SAD DAYS: Saying goodbye to a great friend...Mr. Lou
(Louis DeMartino)


written by: Jon Caspi

Just over 2 weeks ago I received the horribly sad news that my long time friend and bandmate in many projects over the years, Lou "MR LOU" DeMartino passed away. I still can't believe it's true. Mr Lou was one of a special breed who made the world a much better place to live -- through his music and his personality. Everyone loved him. I must have heard over 100 times at his wake and funeral that he made everyone feel like a best friend, that he was the nicest guy they ever knew, and he would be long remembered for his charming and ever-permanent seeming smile.

I first met Mr Lou through an ad in the back of The Aquarian music magazine when I was about 15. After school each day I would get together with my next door neighbor and classmate Lenny Goldspinner, a great drummer at age 15. I played keyboards and we spent much time writing songs and learning classic rock covers. The ad read: "Guitarist and bassist looking for keyboards and drums." I called the number and we set up a rehearsal. The guitarist and bassist came to my house, took one look at us and saw that we were just kids. They were in their early 20's and wanted to play club dates. The guitarist started suggesting that it wouldn't work but the bassist, Mr. Lou, said, "Let's play!" and set up his rig. We played a couple hours and at the end they politely said that we were too young. I can still remember Mr Lou saying, "That was fun and I really like that song "He's the DJ" (yes, the same song we still play). Flash forward 4 years and I see an ad in the back of the Aquarian that read: "Guitarist and bassist looking for keyboards and drums." I called the number and we set up a rehearsal. I walked in and after a few minutes recognized the same two guys I had met 4 years earlier....still working to build the same band. I joined the project and soon after brought Mr Lou into my band Bouncing Off Bob. We did our first show within two months of that meeting at the legendary Dirt Club....and the rest is history. Bouncing Off Bob had a great run with a song charting on the national college radio charts and a bunch of mini-tours...which I hold as fond memories and have many of Mr. Lou doing amazing things.

One of these amazing things that really sums him up is this little story: On one of our tours we stopped at a gas station to fill the van. In upstate NY there were two gas options: 1) self-serve and 2) full service. We pulled into the self-serve and Lou offered to pump the gas in the van. While he was doing this a guy pulled into the full-serve. He got out of his car, took a look at Lou, and said, "I'll take $20 unleaded." Mr. Lou, without missing a beat, went over and started filling the guys tank. He took the guy's $20 and gave it to the real attendant (even though we were broke as could be). That was his personality. He never told the guy, "I don't work here," or anything like that. He just did it. Didn't want to rock the boat and always wanting to make others happy.

On another occasion, we were in a radio interview with Boss Gremlin (another band I was in) and one of the CD machines broke during the interview. The DJ started banging on it. Mr. Lou said, demonstrating his approach to life, "Just show it some love." Don't know why, but that always sticks in my head as...well...Mr. Lou.

One more short one: One summer when I was in my early 20's I had a job as a recording studio engineer. I was not a good one. After over-sleeping and missing part of a session, the owner decided I should live in the apartment about the studio so I would always be close and available. The apartment was dank and depressing. No TV, no light. The recording studio and apartment was located on 46 St in NYC and all my NYC friends were out of town for the summer. I was feeling lonely and getting depressed. During a phone conversation with Lou, he said, "You OK? You don't sound good." I told him I was OK. He said, "Sit tight, I'm coming over." He lived in NJ. About 45 minutes to an hour later there was a knock on my door. Mr. Lou took me out. That was Mr. Lou. Always caring and considerate and a very loyal friend. I have lots of stories like this.

So we say goodbye to Mr. Lou but his music lives on. He told me on a number of occasions that he wanted to get his bass on as many recorded projects as he could. His bass parts were his children. So, take some time out and listen to Mr. Lou. That's all he wanted. Here are some links to his many projects with me and others:

Mr. Lou plays bass and sings the third verse in this Bouncing Off Bob cover of Boys:


Mr. Lou plays bass and sings this Mr. LBJ cover of Be Bop a Lula:

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Playing bass for Bouncing Off Bob (this one appeared on national charts and Mr. Lou was really proud of this track...his bass is what makes it):

Playing bass for Boss Gremlin (another radio success tune):


Playing bass for my solo project:


His work with the great Joe D'Urso & Stone Caravan, which brought Mr. Lou to the world....lucky world!

His work with blues guitarist Chaz Depaolo, with whom he toured

Finally, if you haven't already, check out Mr. Lou's facebook page for all the amazing posts of gratitude and the truly fun photos which are sure to bring a smile to your face. He was so photogenic that shirts were made with his many faces. He was a true rocker and I'll miss him. I'll miss calling him, hanging with him, and making music with him. It was all special. R.I.P. Mr. Lou! LLU!!