RIP - Josh Burdette - thatguy

Relaxer wrote:

DotTheEyes wrote:
It is very cool how rich his legacy is, as indicated by, among other articles and responses today, the very moving Washington Post obituary.  The folk-hero status is a true testament to the way he infused his responsibilities at the club and other I.M.P. venues with integrity and a distinct personal vision, not just his Schwarzenegger sized physical presence.

I thought the Post article in this morning's paper was kind of lousy. Maybe I'm reading too much into it but it seemed like the overall tone was "Wow, can you believe this huge tattooed guy was actually smart?" It seemed pretty condescending in a lot of places.

I thought it was a nicely done article, and a touching one.  I think the idea was more "This big, burly, intimidating-looking guy was – contrary to what you might think from his appearance – a kind and gentle soul," not "He was actually smart."  (Maybe the reason there was so much emphasis on Josh's University of Maryland background was that the article drew heavily from a profile in the Diamondback, the University of Maryland's student newspaper.)

I was stunned to hear the news yesterday morning.  Josh was a fixture at the 9:30 Club during the whole 15 years I've spent been in the D.C. area.  I found him rather scary-looking, and it wasn't until I started working at the 9:30 Club as an occasional DJ that I discovered he was actually a very nice guy (and a consummate professional too).

I knew Josh only a little bit, but this is a terrible loss.  My condolences to his friends, his family, and the 9:30 Club folks who worked with him far more closely than I did.

Christine wrote:

Relaxer wrote:

DotTheEyes wrote:
It is very cool how rich his legacy is, as indicated by, among other articles and responses today, the very moving Washington Post obituary.  The folk-hero status is a true testament to the way he infused his responsibilities at the club and other I.M.P. venues with integrity and a distinct personal vision, not just his Schwarzenegger sized physical presence.

I thought the Post article in this morning's paper was kind of lousy. Maybe I'm reading too much into it but it seemed like the overall tone was "Wow, can you believe this huge tattooed guy was actually smart?" It seemed pretty condescending in a lot of places.

I thought it was a nicely done article, and a touching one.  I think the idea was more "This big, burly, intimidating-looking guy was – contrary to what you might think from his appearance – a kind and gentle soul," not "He was actually smart."  (Maybe the reason there was so much emphasis on Josh's University of Maryland background was that the article drew heavily from a profile in the Diamondback, the University of Maryland's student newspaper.)

I was stunned to hear the news yesterday morning.  Josh was a fixture at the 9:30 Club during the whole 15 years I've spent been in the D.C. area.  I found him rather scary-looking, and it wasn't until I started working at the 9:30 Club as an occasional DJ that I discovered he was actually a very nice guy (and a consummate professional too).

I knew Josh only a little bit, but this is a terrible loss.  My condolences to his friends, his family, and the 9:30 Club folks who worked with him far more closely than I did.

Post writer Clinton Yates also said it well it his daily email.

"The first time I ever saw Josh Burdette, I was in high school. I can remember thinking that this one of the first security guys I'd ever encountered that actually made me feel safe, rather than like a criminal."

all sorts of old-time boardees coming out of the woodwork to pay their respects… nice!

Very sad news. I didn't know him, but felt like I did through his posts on here, his Facebook page, the many articles about him, and seeing him at so many shows over the years. He recently posted about Frank Turner being a buddy of his, and recommended that music - which turned me onto a new artist (for me) who I really enjoy. I remember telling my daughters when they started to go to shows on their own that the big guy was there to help, that his name was Josh, and to look for him if there was a crisis.

challenged wrote:
Very sad news. I didn't know him, but felt like I did through his posts on here, his Facebook page, the many articles about him, and seeing him at so many shows over the years. He recently posted about Frank Turner being a buddy of his, and recommended that music - which turned me onto a new artist (for me) who I really enjoy. I remember telling my daughters when they started to go to shows on their own that the big guy was there to help, that his name was Josh, and to look for him if there was a crisis.

I agree… it's a strange feeling. Other than small talk over the past decade, a few hellos, and his posts on here/FB… I didn't know him at all, but it still hurts.

If the rumors are true, it's even harder to swallow. My family has been rocked by a few people taking their own lives in recent years and it's crushing. As someone who was obviously LOVED by everyone, you have to be in a deep dark place to take your own life. It's too bad he didn't reach out to one of the many many loved ones he had.  RIP.

Venerable wrote:
i also am sorry that I was only able to join in playing video games with him once; thanks vansmack for letting me sit in.

One of my many regrets that overtook me yesterday.  We didn't do that enough.  My divorce got in the way and I withdrew from that outlet.  Josh sent me a nice email about it all and said that he'd be there for me whenever I wanted to play again.

Well it's had a little over 24 hours to sink in, as I was at lunch yesterday  in Philly browsing my Facebook through the usual garbage.  It made no sense, it wasn't fair and it's quite upsetting.

I have now lost 3 friends in the last 12 months, none of whom were over the age of 45.  And I cannot quite figure out how or why.

I knew Josh from HFStivals back in the 1990's and then from attending 930 shows, and then moreso from working with him at Merriweather. While I never hung out with him outside of a concert/work environment, I probably had a good 10-20 minute conversation with him each and every time I saw him. Always interested in what I had to say, always had something interesting and intelligent to discuss. His intelligence didn't impress me because of his outward appearance, it impressed me as it would have if he'd had no tattoos/piercings and a suit and tie.  He was truly that full of wisdom.

Working with Josh at Merriweather was a delight. He not only made the patrons feel safe, but other staff. I am no large man, but I knew if I had a problem, Josh was able to reconcile….almost always without being physical and never being physical first. Every time he'd walk up, the patron would expect to get his butt kicked, only to find himself in a calm rational conversation!  My best memory of this was at a Phish show and I had this clown who would NOT get out of the aisle, I tried and tried, and he told me "the party always wins".  Pushed me, spilled his beer on me and called me names. I saw Josh and flagged him over.  Josh walked up, said a few words to this guy and back in his seat he went. I asked Josh what he said and his reply "I told him he needed to please go back to his seat."

From teaching me how to catch crowd surfers, to endlessly bantering about hockey and punk music, I always looked forward to our conversations. And when they were over, I knew he would move on to brighten someone else's evening.

I remember a time when he came to my work for a show and it actually gave me a sense of pride to be doing security at a show HE was at!

I am sure that while Josh's social circle was comprised of many more acquaintances than true friends (like the rest of us), I know he had more than a few dear dear friends who are devastated by all of this and my deepest sympathies go out to them, as well as his family, and those who got to see him on a daily basis. 

It's hard to find a silver lining to this one. But to know we are all better for knowing him, and we can all continue to try to be more like him.

man, every time i open up the 930 app on my phone, i get pumped to see that picture of josh, and know instantly what type of place 930 is.

first memory was my first show in 2006, when i drove 4.5 hours in college just to see a sold out show, and i remember how chill security was at a pretty rowdy show. we had a blast, and we drove back from DC to blacksburg that night totally stoked.

So sorry for your loss. I've attended many shows over the years but only briefly talked to him once. He was very pleasent and helpful.

sonickteam wrote:
Working with Josh at Merriweather was a delight. He not only made the patrons feel safe, but other staff. I am no large man, but I knew if I had a problem, Josh was able to reconcile….almost always without being physical and never being physical first. Every time he'd walk up, the patron would expect to get his butt kicked, only to find himself in a calm rational conversation!  My best memory of this was at a Phish show and I had this clown who would NOT get out of the aisle, I tried and tried, and he told me "the party always wins".  Pushed me, spilled his beer on me and called me names. I saw Josh and flagged him over.  Josh walked up, said a few words to this guy and back in his seat he went. I asked Josh what he said and his reply "I told him he needed to please go back to his seat."

That is seriously fucking awesome.

This is truly sad. A day later and I still cannot fathom that on my trip to DC and more than likely the 9:30 Club Josh wont be around. I met him a few times and he was always super cool and friendly. I had a problem with staff once that I got nearly kicked out for taking video (dont even remember the circumstance), but Josh worked it out for me (total miscommunication!).

While I hadnt been to the club regularly in years, I always looked forward to seeing him at MPP or wherever I might catch him. I got to email him a bit when I found his awesome cartoon pic in the New Yorker and set him a bunch of copies. He was so happy and even told me he'd pay me back. I thought that was beyond nice and so not necessary. Secretly, I was super happy that I knew him and could tell all the partners at the firm why I needed their magazines and what I was doing with them. :)

My condolences to his family, friends and 9:30 staff. It won't be the same without him there.

I can't think of a singular Josh story to pass along,  as others have said I definitely fell in the mutual Head Nodding and quick conversations with him in passing category.  I always get a kick out of playing Josh and other staph favs when Djing.  Of late it was Frank Turner, Emily Barker and William Elliott Whitmore.  Also started many an evening with Social Distortion.

He occasionally asked me about a track played that evening, notably about the "Rudy Soho" cover by The Manic Hispanics re-titled "Rudy Cholo" and a Girl Talk track.  After playing it a private event, I was banned with threat of expulsion from ever playing Nelly Furtado again.  This was due to the two nights he spent as her bodyguard at the club.  One night he thanked me for the 60s soul set I had spun, because it reminded him of listening to the radio.

I will miss his passion for the bands/artists he supported for which he introduced me to several I'm still playing catch up on. The tales of his encounters with the "colorful" characters he posted via Facebook. 

I have been so sad about this news all weekend, and want to share my little Josh story. I took my two kids, who were 3 and 5 at the time, to a taping of Pancake Mountain with Bright Eyes at Constitution Hall. We were early for the sound check and waiting around, when Josh walked in. My kids were not sure what to make of him, and were looking him over pretty good, when he came walking toward us. They both squeezed into me, until Josh stuck out his big hand and gently introduced himself to them. About once a year since them, they have seen a photo of Josh in the paper or while I have been online, and they always say, "There's Josh!". I took my oldest to his first show at the Club last year, and he was as happy about seeing Josh as he was thrilled to see the show.
RIP, Josh.

I "met" Josh back in 1998 when I crowd surfed into his arms during Sick Boy at a Social D show.  I said to him "Boy am I glad you're here to catch me!" My what arms he had.  He said to me "Me too, but I'd rather not see you up here again.  Let's keep both feet on the floor from here on out."  He had such a good demeanor about him.

We didn't become friends until a few years later, but like most of you that I know through the board, I was only starting to become friends with him when I left for SF.  Josh always kept in touch though - sometimes needing legal advice, sometimes letting me know he was heading out west, or just letting me know that he's up for hanging out when I was coming back into town.  He came to my going away party, my east coast wedding gathering and was always up for chatting when I made it back to the club.

One 72 hour stretch in particular will always stick out for me though, and the Director and I were on the phone reminiscing about this yesterday. 

I made a triumphant return to DC in the fall of 2007 and was excited to see the old crew again.  After watching a United match with Brennser, I met up at Duffy's with GGW for pre-drinks before we were to go see Kings of Leon and BRMC.  The Director crashes the party at Duffy's and after sizing us up, decides he's going to join us for the show.  He spends about 20 minutes trying to scalp a ticket, then Josh calls him over and ends his misery sending him on his way to join us in the VIP section.  The rest of the details can be found in another thread, but me and the Director are six years into an endless party that started that night thanks to the generosity of Josh.   

Fast forward 48 hours and Halo 3 comes out.  A number of the club staff and a few boardies had been holding game night once a week, where we would all get together online no matter where we lived to play some Halo - and by this point we were all over the country. For a number of months it was Halo 2.  I had been invited to Microsoft's Halo 3 launch party and invited Josh but he turned me down as he didn't like the corporate stuff, but said that we could meet up afterwards to play.  He picked me up, we stopped at 7-11 for some caffeine and sugar and proceeded to play Halo 3 for a ridiculous number of hours at his place.  By around 4:30-5AM we had to call it a night (morning?), so I was going to call a cab.  Josh would have none of it and he drove me back into the city as the sun was coming up.  He was always going that extra mile for people.

We kept playing Halo a few times a month for a couple of years until I dropped out, as mentioned earlier.  Damn it, what I'd give for one more game night, one more show, one last email asking for help with his intellectual property.

And thank you all for sharing your stories - I'm known for being a-motional about stuff like this, but this one hurts more than just about anything I've faced in my life - they're all helping me cope.

Sound Engineer for the Bottom Of The HIll in San Fran, reflects on Josh

http://live-sound-engineer.tumblr.com/

kosmo wrote:
Sound Engineer for the Bottom Of The HIll in San Fran, reflects on Josh

http://live-sound-engineer.tumblr.com/

Very nice.

No big Josh stories here.  Mostly just dozens of 20-30 second conversations over the years.  A few exceptions…  When I decided to get my first tattoo, he was the guy I went to for advice.  He was happy to help and told me to come back if I had any other questions.  We hung out for about a half-hour at the Ryan Adams show at Strathmore last year.  He and my husband used to talk hockey quite a bit. 

I always got a knowing-nod from Josh when I saw him at the club.  I'm not sure if he remembered me from the few times I introduced myself as a boardie… or if he just recognized me as a semi-regular who came to the club a little too often…or if he just did that as a means of saying hello to everyone.  It doesn't really matter.  As cheesy as it sounds, that always made me feel welcome - and that meant a lot.

It's going to be really weird walking into the club next week, knowing he's not going to be there.  I'm not really looking forward to that moment.

I went to go see The Mission tonight. I was slightly nervous wondering how it would feel to go to the club and not see him there, and surely enough there was a much more somber tone around the venue. The opening band had a cheers at the end of their set for him. I imagine there will be more to come as he was as well respected by artists as he was to us.

I didn't know Josh all too well, but I spoke with him on many occasions about touring bands that we're coming to our venues (I work at The National in Richmond) and little things here and there. He came to The National several times - he never missed a Clutch show. He was always friendly and well respected by myself and my coworkers.

I choked up & teared up a bit when I saw the table at the show tonight. I left a card on the table addressed to "Seth & 9:30 Family".