Dan McKinley

02022-10-19 | Photos, Touring | 20 comments

Dan McKinley, November 21, 1958 – October 12, 2022

Dan started touring with us as our monitor engineer in 1995. His first tour was a short Canadian run that included the Montreal Jazz fest. Wether the band was a quartet or, as in 1997, was nine people, Dan could handle it all PLUS fix anything with his Leatherman tool. 2003 was his last full year. Dan joined JC Superstar for ’04, and we had to endure a new monitor engineer who was terrible. (the replacement was so bad that in 2005 we started using the Avioms, to mix ourselves… then again he had to measure up to Dan and that was going to be somewhere between difficult and impossible). We don’t have any details of what happened to Dan yet, and I will update this post later. Here are a few photos of Dan:

20 Comments

  1. Jon Gagan

    I was stunned and deeply saddened by the news of Dan’s passing. I can say that he was and will remain a major figure in my life. His singular combination of common sense, know-how, and life wisdom was a huge influence on me.
    He was our monitor engineer and Super-crew man through some years of high mileage. We logged innumerable gigs with that guy all over the world. Wherever we were, if the going got tough he would remind us “If it was easy, everyone would do it”.
    In Dan’s world, there was a right way and a wrong way to do just about anything, and while he didn’t suffer fools who opted for the latter, I’ve never toured with a person who was more generous with their time, spirit and formidable skills. If he ever saw me or any band member so much as scratching our heads about an issue with our gear, he was right there, ready and able to solve it. And when Dan solved something, it stayed solved. He always chose the right way!

    One of my favorite memories of him was actually a hilarious comment made in reference to him. My wife Nancy had an earache, and Carl Coletti told her “Dan can fix it with a Maglite and a Leatherman” Very funny, but also not too far from the truth!

    I will miss knowing he’s out there, and it’s sad to think that he won’t be able to continue to mentor the next generation of top-flight touring and theater personnel. We love you Dan. R.I.P.

    Reply
    • James Bobchak

      Dan was a great guy! I was the newbie but Dan always treated me as a family member like I’ve been there for years! RIP Dan!

      Reply
      • Danny 6

        Thank you so much for all the kind words
        Dan was my brother I’ve known him for over 40 yrs
        I was staying with him just b4 he passed away
        We’ve lost one of the good ones
        RiP Dan

        Reply
    • Vincent Riverside

      These thoughts on Dan are beautiful, and very well said. My name is Vincent Riverside and I was Dan’s “ brother” for 38 years and someone he mentored in life and fixed a thousand broken situations for. You are so very right..when he fixed something, it stayed fixed. I just needed to thank you for these words. I awake today after two days of wrapping up his home and affairs with his siblings…what a life he lived…and Indiana bit who saw the world at the top of his game…what a story…what a force. Blessings to you on the roads ahead..and God bless Dan McKinley. VR

      Reply
  2. JaneParham

    Beautiful, Jon. Sounds like a wonderful man to know.

    Reply
  3. Nancy Gagan

    When I was younger I used to periodically imagine a short list of people I’d want with me if/(when?) the proverbial sh*t-hit-the-fan. Dan McKinley was on that list, not only because he could fix anything with whatever was available, but because he was a deep-well of a human being. He was on that list because he was generous. He was on that list because he loved dogs. He was on that list because there was no escaping the authentic kindness revealed in his hugs. I’ll miss knowing he’s here on planet earth.
    Love you, Dan.
    Nancy of the aforementioned earache.

    Reply
    • Vincent Riverside

      These thoughts on Dan are beautiful, and very well said. My name is Vincent Riverside and I was Dan’s “ brother” for 38 years and someone he mentored in life and fixed a thousand broken situations for. You are so very right..when he fixed something, it stayed fixed. I just needed to thank you for these words. I awake today after two days of wrapping up his home and affairs with his siblings…what a life he lived…and Indiana boy who saw the world at the top of his game…what a story…what a force. Blessings to you on the roads ahead..and God bless Dan McKinley. VR

      PS, Nancy, Standing in his home two days ago it hit me as I said aloud…
      “ now where am I going to go when the apocalypse hits?!! You see, I too had always had that plan. Good luck to us now.

      Reply
  4. mark clark

    Wow! Dan has taken the final tour beyond our world. He was an incredible man. Always had your back, with a dry sense of humor mixed with sage like wisdom. Dan was like having superman on tour with you. Any problem, he could fix it! Jon Gagan and I were sharing stories of our adventures with Dan McKinley. I remember the band playing Boston, where Mike Chavez, Ron Wagner and myself visited the Zildjian Cymbal factory. I came back with some fresh cymbals and a 22″ wind gong. I struggled with packing the gong with my gear and couldn’t find a nice snug place for it to travel on the semi truck. At a venue somewhere on the East coast, I realized the gong would fit in my cymbal case if it had a hole drilled in the middle. Dan passed by me backstage while I was looking at the gong. “Hey Dan, can I borrow your drill to put a hole in the center of this gong? Do you have a measuring tape and a tap?” Dan looked at me with that-(you gotta be kidding) expression on his face. To my horror, he whipped out a portable drill and drove a hole through the brass gong! Dead center, one hand, no tap! Then he walked away and got back to his task at hand! Not even a word! That was just one of the times he came to My rescue! He actually lifted me up to a balcony with one hand! Very strong individual. Fixed anything! Electronics, drum hardware, cases, bus bay door hinges–you name it! Dan always had a very direct, kind way of communication. I made the mistake of drinking tequila with the crew in Guadalajara one time. The next day, I was extremely hung over. Dan came up to me in the hotel lobby and gave me one of his advice gems: “Be your own governor” Indeed! We will all miss him. I use my leatherman tool every day for something or another. Dan is always with me.

    Reply
  5. Canton Becker

    I have a fond memory of Dan’s unique smile-grimace. On many occasions while on tour he used this smile to communicate to me, “Canton, you are an idiot, but you are a lovable idiot, and I will gladly help you sort out this problem.” He made me feel welcome and comfortable and didn’t seem to mind that I didn’t know what I was doing half the time. He brought a degree of efficient grace and levity when it was needed most.

    Reply
  6. Kelly Anderson

    Dan taught me how to tour. How to use just common sense in all of life. I remember when I first started being a tour manager and was freaking out about something he would tell me. The curtain goes up at 8 and down at 10. The rest doesn’t matter. I’m a better person for having him in my life. RIP Dan the music man. All my love

    Reply
  7. Matt Williams

    Dan was my Friend and Union Brother. I toured with Dan With JC Superstar just when he left your show. He was also my Good Buddy that lived near by in Santa Barbara. Dan Was Everything you say and more. He will be sorely missed. Rip Dan. We all Miss and love you!.

    Reply
  8. Mike Davidson

    Everything written above is the truth. Dan was a mentor to me when I first joined the union and every time I worked or hung out with him. He tot me sooo much and gave me so much advice on touring that when I was on my first tour it felt like I had already done this before.

    I will miss his smile and just everything. It was good to see him again around the Granada before he passed. I will forever be thankful to him. Love you Dan and see ya next time my friend.

    Reply
  9. tony mitchell

    ottomar: thanks for posting this to your camp. i talked with alan behr and asked him to let everyone in your camp know and it’s heartwarming to see everyones memories of dan.

    as many of you know dan and i lived and/or worked together for over 35 years. he was my best friend and taught me much of what i know about audio (not to mention life).

    dan was in ill health over the last couple years and also lost his mom and dad over that period.i think dan just didn’t want to be here anymore. we(his closest friends) tried everything we could do to keep him here with us but he just gave up.

    we will all miss him terribly. dan loved his family and friends, his dogs, music and his work. as you all know he was definitely one of a kind!!!

    we will definitely having a memorial/party to remember dan sometime in the not too distant future and will keep you posted. i’m looking forward to when we can join together and hoist a few beers(or your drink of choice) eat some barbeque and tell dan stories.

    i want to remember and grieve with all of dans’ friends who can make it (or not).

    hold tight to your loved ones .

    peace and love,

    tony

    Reply
  10. Y.

    the dog
    makes way for me…
    snowy road

    -Issa

    Reply
    • tony mitchell

      our memorial and celebration of dan will take place on sunday 15 january at ledbetter beach picnic area in santa barbara from noon to 4pm. feel free to call me @ 805-570-3158 or email tmrigger.mitchell@gmail.com for more info. rainsite the granada theatre stage 1214 state st.

      Reply
  11. tony mitchell

    our memorial and celebration of dan will take place on monday 16 january at ledbetter beach picnic area in santa barbara from noon to 4pm. feel free to call me @ 805-570-3158 or email tmrigger.mitchell@gmail.com for more info

    Reply
  12. Mary Doris

    Thank you for this tribute. Dan was a great person. He was just so talented and took pride in his work. I always respected Dan. He always had the coolest dogs. I learned a lot from him. There will not be another like him.

    Reply
  13. tony mitchell

    our memorial and celebration of dan will take place on sunday 15 january at ledbetter beach picnic area in santa barbara from noon to 4pm. feel free to call me @ 805-570-3158 or email tmrigger.mitchell@gmail.com for more info

    Reply
  14. tony mitchell

    our memorial and celebration of dan will take place on sunday 15 january at ledbetter beach picnic area in santa barbara from noon to 4pm. feel free to call me @ 805-570-3158 or email tmrigger.mitchell@gmail.com for more info. rainsite the granada theatre stage 1214 state st.

    Reply
  15. Justin Rizzo-Weaver

    Our organization presents classical music concerts in Santa Barbara and we had the privilege of knowing Dan through his sound work on union calls over 20+ years. Dan’s kindness, genuine interest in others, relevant on-target advice, and legendary technical wizardry, installed him in a warm permanent place close to my heart, and so for all of us. Thank you, Dan. The moments of caring you brought into the world made a difference, and still do.

    Reply

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