Goodbye Jesse, Happy Trails
The son of a friend and neighbor passed away yesterday from MRSA. Jesse Dylan Baird, a.k.a. Diggs Dynamite, died in a Los Angeles hospital after struggling with this deadly superbug for a couple of weeks. A lifelong musician, singer, songwriter, drummer and guitarist, Jesse was working on a new CD project. I worked with him on a few technical issues related to the project briefly last summer when he was visiting his parents here in Darby.
Here’s a sample of Jesse’s music. It was fascinating to hear some of his brand of rough and tumble music, almost like he was from another planet where being “larger than life” was a matter of survival. Jesse lived large and will be missed by a lot of people, me included.
5 Responses to “Goodbye Jesse, Happy Trails”
Beth - July 14, 2009
I run with a group of friends he knew when living in Winchester, VA–amazing guy and I loved his music–promoted his band via the Trenches demo CD whenever possible. I only met him once when he visited a few years ago under tragic circumstances, but I felt I knew more of him from all the stories I heard. In person he not only lived large but he also seemed to struggle with himself, trying to find a place where he fit in exactly as he wanted (or needed).
‘Bye Jesse–your death came as a shock to us all. We miss you.
Windy - August 4, 2009
Jesse… I have often thought where you were over the years. You were a freshmen and I was senior at Handley High School in Winchester when we become friends. I remember our phone chats and letters to one another while I was at college in Atlanta. I also remember all the times I would visit home and stop up at Handley to wait for you to get out of school — always with a rose in hand to give you. Our friendship did not last long as your dad and step mom thought I was a bad influence on you and nipped it in the butt. If they only know that our friendship was actually helping you over come teenage issues/pressure you were experiencing. I remember coming by your house off of Penn Ave and just sitting in the car chatting and smoking cigarettes for hours. God Bless and may you rest in peace my long lost friend.
Windy – Poohd
Cisco - September 8, 2009
I send my condolences to all of you who knew Jesse and lost a friend and family member. I grew up hanging out with him in Winchester, VA as kids and recently looked through some old photos and found one of him at my little brother’s b-day. Jesse must have been nine years old. I hoped to run into him again someday. I will miss you buddy.
Cisco
Rob - September 25, 2009
I met Diggs a few years back in LA, through a friend. When we first met, he told me that he loved my music and had it on his iPod. Since that night I learned about him and how much he lived music. It was a weird bond that we kept with each other. Last time I saw him was last year when he was driving home from his moms, he stopped in SF, we connected at phoenix hotel, then connected at my house a few days later b4 he went to LA. We jammed talked and had a good bond, and b4 he left he grabbed these burnt pieces of wood and said, “I want you to have this, make some art out of them”. At the time I was like what? Ok? But now that he is gone it makes more sense to me. I still have them, and will have them in my studio for ever in his memory. He was a very giving, and great soul with a great heart. He will be missed!
Rmo
s. r. kitten - January 4, 2010
I have no idea how this news got past me. I just found out today that Diggsy is swimming with the angels. Anyone who knew him doesn’t need to be told how intense he is and how much of a loving impact he makes on people. Our brief stint compacted an entire lifetime into one year, but was cut short by his wrongful imprisonment.
I’m deeply saddened and extend my love to his family and friends.
Swim deep, Diggs! I’ll see you someday again when I get my fins.
s. r. kitten
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