RIP Michael Fonfara
Keyboardist
The Rolling Stone obituary refers to Michael Fonfara as “Lou Reed keyboardist” (from 1974–1980), and the subtitle mentions that he appeared on Foreigner’s single “Urgent” (providing “keyboard textures”). But the story doesn’t mention Fonfara’s work on David Ackles’ first album (sometimes titled “Road to Cairo”), which features one of my favorite organ solos of all time.
On the verses of David Ackles’ antidote to despair, “Be My Friend,” Fonfara uses brief organ phrases to suggest longing and hope. During the first instrumental break, he switches to bits of melody, and then on the second break / conclusion (starting at 3:00 — almost half the length of the song), he builds to an incredible outpouring of joy and release.
Fonfara and the rest of his bandmates from Rhinoceros (labelmates with Ackles, who plays piano here) contribute to this dark debut, tinged throughout with regret and loss. But the solo on “Be My Friend” transforms that darkness into a shining celebration.
