Obit: Norton Buffalo (30 Oct 2009)

Subject: Pls send healing energy: Norton Buffalo
From: open mike
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 02:08 AM

Norton Buffalo is a harmonica player with the Steve Miller Band.
He also plays with Roy Rogers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G14YhwPgza0
His web page is here: www.norton-buffalo.com
He has been diagnosed with lung cancer,
and is asking for best wishes.

Subject: RE: Pls send healing energy: Norton Buffalo
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 03:17 AM

I don't believe in that healing energy stuff, but I hope he gets better. He's a well-respected musician here in Northern California.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Pls send healing energy: Norton Buffalo
From: MBSLynne
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 03:19 AM

I very much do and he has mine

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Norton Buffalo: Illness
From: open mike
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 10:22 AM

you can send messages to him, saying whatever you choose to say at:
[e-mail]
and here is his my space page:
http://www.myspace.com/nortonbuffalo

I heard a radio announcement yesterday
saying that Norton was requesting
prayers, wishes, etc. i was just
passing this along.

Subject: RE: Norton Buffalo: Illness
From: GUEST,Jesse James
Date: 01 Oct 09 - 11:13 PM

I've been wating for you to come to the seattle area. I last saw you at blues in the park Caldwell Idaho. 2002 When I lived In Idaho. I'm back in Everett Wa. area. I just read about your Illness In the Wa. Blues Society magazine. My Girl friend Jill has Throat Cancer and is doing Chemo/Rad. It's a rough road but They say it will eliminate the cancer by November. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Lisa. We were at a Blues Jam last night where the beast of seattle Jam including your friend Jim MacLaughlin Every one is praying and sending there healing energy To you,With our love. You are strong with Lisa by your side. You will sing in the sunshine again. your friend Jesse James

Subject: RE: Norton Buffalo: Illness
From: Bobert
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 08:10 AM

Bummer...

Not much of a Steve Miller fan but love Norton's playin' with Roy Rogers...

Hope he pulls thru...

B~

Subject: RE: Norton Buffalo: Illness
From: open mike
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 04:51 PM

Call it whatever you like...well wishes, virtual hugs, pray, light a candle, etc. What is needed now is more tangible....like buy a ticket and attend the fund raiser...I just heard that his lung cancer has spread to his brain, and here is the letter i received today from the Paradise Center for Tolerance and Non-violence:

As you may have heard, Paradise's own virtuoso, Norton Buffalo, has been diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread to his brain. Norton is a great friend of the community, having raised thousands of dollars for local causes including PCTN. (Paradise Center for Tolerance and Non-violence--http://www.pctn.org)

To help Norton and his wife Lisa, a benefit featuring Carlos Reyes and Friends, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, and Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings will be held at the Paradise Performing Arts Center on Sunday, November 22, at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for General Admission are $40. To purchase tickets, call
Bill Anderson at 1-877-397-3363 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are also being sold at Diamond W Western Wear in Chico, Country Touch
and Paradise Coin in Paradise 10-4:30, and at the Paradise Performing Arts Center box office 11-3, M-F. http://www.paradiseperformingarts.com/
http://www.paradiseperformingarts.com/tickets/events_schedule.php

Get your tickets today and support this wonderful couple!

This is from his web site..http://norton-buffalo.com
Regarding Norton's Health
Norton has been recently diagnosed with stage 4B Lung Cancer (adenocarcinoma) which was also discovered in his pleural fluid and his brain. He has been using a combination of Western Medicine, Chinese Traditional Medicine, Prayer, Spiritual Healers, Native American Healing, Reike, Visualization and Positive Thought, Acupuncture, Massage, ... and is taking in all the love and prayers from friends fans and loved ones from around the globe. He is currently home and gaining strength after his first round of Chemotherapy. His loving wife Lisa has been his constant support throughout this challenging time and he is as well receiving lots of support and care from his family and close circle of friends.

Subject: RE: Norton Buffalo: Illness
From: GUEST,Ruthie Lincoln
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 08:27 AM

I am praying for Nortons recovery and healing. He played on my CD and I am a friend of Pete Carson-I hope the chemo-therapy does the trick and I invision light all around you and
Lisa. I have seen milagros and know anything is possible. God bless you Norton..
                peace, Ruthie Lincoln

Subject: RE: Norton Buffalo: Illness
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 09 - 12:06 PM

Norton passed away yesterday afternoon. He is loved by many and will never be forgotten!! RIP my Friend!!

Subject: RE: Norton Buffalo: Illness
From: open mike
Date: 31 Oct 09 - 12:37 PM

Oh, No! this is so sad. My condolences to Lisa Flores.
He is gone much too soon...but glad the suffering is over.
He has done a lot lately to support the local Performing Arts
Center in Paradise. Here he is playing with Roy Rogers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u9api6tQEA

Subject: RE: Norton Buffalo: Illness
From: Joe Richman
Date: 31 Oct 09 - 01:31 PM

GREAT PLAYER. Sorry he's gone. Heard his music on the radio back in the 70s. I love chromatic harmonicas, and so did Norton. I recall he did music for a Canadian film starring Ron Moody & David Soul called "Dogpound Shuffle" about street entertainers.

Joe

Subject: RE: Norton Buffalo: Illness
From: open mike
Date: 31 Oct 09 - 01:51 PM

hmmmm..more info about that movie here:
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1800058346/info
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072891/

Subject: RE: Obit: Norton Buffalo (30 Oct 2009)
From: GUEST,a friend in Sonoma
Date: 31 Oct 09 - 09:25 PM

So sorry to lose Norton. His playing was unparalleled.
I remember him playing in Sonoma in the old old days.
Condolences to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norton Buffalo (30 Oct 2009)
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 01 Nov 09 - 09:44 AM

Very sad news. I remember seeing him perform at one of the Bread and Roses Festival's at UC Berkeley's Greek Theatre about 30 years ago. A great set, and he was very accessible to audience members after the gig, signing programs, chatting with folks, clowning around and having as good a time as the audience.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Obit: Norton Buffalo (30 Oct 2009)
From: GUEST,Rick Rutkowski
Date: 01 Nov 09 - 02:46 PM

Inspiration to me as a harp player and soooo cool, listen to him with steve miller. Sincere condolences to all.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norton Buffalo (30 Oct 2009)
From: open mike
Date: 01 Nov 09 - 03:44 PM

maybe i will include a harmonica in the "day of the dead" altar...for
if you put their favorite things the souls will return for a visit.

here is a 6 sided one..."combine" style
http://www.uberreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/Six-Sided%20Harmonica.jpg

my folk d.j. friend will be having a Norton Buffalo special on her
show today...starting in just a few minutes...www.kcho.org
Good Old Fashioned Folk Music Show...

Subject: RE: Obit: Norton Buffalo (30 Oct 2009)
From: GUEST,Mary Katherine
Date: 01 Nov 09 - 07:01 PM

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091101/ENTERTAINMENT/911019986/1320?Title=Local-harmonica-legend-Norton-Buffalo-dies


Local harmonica legend Norton Buffalo dies
By RANDI ROSSMANN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 11:41 a.m.

Blues harmonica virtuoso Norton Buffalo died Friday, following a brief
battle with lung cancer.

Buffalo, 58, learned in September he had cancer and was attempting to
beat the disease. Friends learned he went into a coma Thursday night
and then died Friday afternoon, said Bill Bowker, a longtime Sonoma
County DJ and music promoter and longtime acquaintance of Buffalo's.

"He was really a master of the harmonica," said Bowker on Sunday. "For
years he was a mainstay of Sonoma County music scene here. We all had
hopes that he could beat it."

"He was just one of these wonderful characters we've had and been
blessed with in Sonoma County," Bowker said.

Buffalo had been posting updates on his fight with the illness on his
website, including information that the cancer was at an advanced
stage and had spread to his brain.

Buffalo played rock for years with the Steve Miller Band in the 70s,
but had the ability to play many genres, with an emphasis on blues,
rock and honky tonk. He toured this summer with Steve Miller and had
many plans in the works when he learned he was sick, according to his
website.

Buffalo and his family had lived in Glen Ellen until a few years ago
when he moved to Paradise, near Chico.

"He was back in town so often. He played with Roy Rogers often at the
Mystic [in Petaluma]. We did see him often," said Bowker.

Bowker, who offers a blues show on Sunday nights on KRSH, 95.9 FM,
said he'd be dedicating time to Buffalo tonight.

"I'll be playing some old shows he did…I'm going to play the bluesy
side of what he did," said Bowker.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norton Buffalo (30 Oct 2009)
From: Bobert
Date: 01 Nov 09 - 08:21 PM

Sniff...

Subject: RE: Obit: Norton Buffalo (30 Oct 2009)
From: GUEST,Patty
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 02:27 AM

Norton you were a gifted artist and a true gentleman. Rest in peace my friend.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norton Buffalo (30 Oct 2009)
From: open mike
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 10:53 AM

the radio station mentioned above does have streaming
http://www.krsh.com/listen.html
did anyone listen in?

the best part of the folk music show Norton special (on kcho)
was Red Tail Hawk, sung by Kate Wolf written by George Shroder.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norton Buffalo (30 Oct 2009)
From: GUEST,Flat Top
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 02:22 AM

Breaker breaker French harp many miles on the road too many shows to count. Thanks for the good times, Hun Sound, my divorce and the Reno shows. I'm thinking it's a better place.

Subject: RE: Obit: Norton Buffalo (30 Oct 2009)
From: evansakes
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 03:55 AM

A great musician indeed. I saw Norton on tour as a member of Commander "Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen" at Manchester's Free Trade Hall around 1975.

Along with the rest of the band the quality of his playing absolutely knocked me for six...

Subject: RE: Obit: Norton Buffalo (30 Oct 2009)
From: open mike
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 11:18 AM

Photos from Norton's webpage

Subject: RE: Obit: Norton Buffalo (30 Oct 2009)
From: GUEST,prison arts project
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 06:08 PM

Norton had been a good friend to prisoners with many wonderful visits to share his music and teach harmonica in prisons across the state. His down-to-earth, fun-loving and accessible nature brought music, light and joy to men in an environment with few opportunities for such. He was one of a kind, with emphasis on the kind. He is loved and he will be missed.