Today I received word of the passing of Dr Martin Jack Rosenblume, or Marty as we knew him.
For those not familiar with Marty, here's a very miniscule synopsis of who he was. Marty had been a professor in the music department at UW-Milwaukee for the past 30+ years. Almost every freshmen would take his American Popular Music class, a class that over time took on a life of its own. He also initiated the rock and roll certificate through the music department. As a recipient of the certificate, I had Marty as a professor for many semesters from 100 level classes to 600. His background was actually in English, but his heart was in educating students on what rock really was. As a professor, NO student received more respect from ANY professor at ANY school. Marty was a professor who was a great resource of knowledge, but absorbed ideas and knowledge from his students. He took in anything a student would say, and work with it. He treated every student as a scholar, and never came across as being above a student.
Marty was also a historian for Harley Davidson (he can be seen on that History Channel documentary that came out at the time of Harley's 100th anniversary), as well as a historian for Gibson Guitars. As a writer, he has several books, and hundreds of articles published. Everything from poetry, to music, to reviews. The man was a true wordsmith.
As a musician, one only has to Google his name to read of his accomplishments, or hear his work. On a personal note, I'm so glad that I had a chance to share the stage with him for what would be his last live performance. The man was a musical gearhead when it came to guitars. We would spend forever talking guitars and amps, his knowledge being greater in the vintage guitars, mine in the current array of guitars on the market. His explanation of rock music was that it's supposed to be "guys taking guitars and doing things with them that were never intended", a concept I live, breath and die by every time I take a pick to a Fender Precision bass, or run a Gretsch hollow body guitar through an Orange amplifier.
Martin Jack Rosenblume was a great mentor, a great musician, and a great friend. It's with a very sad heart I say that we lost a great one this weekend. So long, old friend. We will continue the fight!!
