Death of Mutual Friend Reunites Musical Talent
The Farmageddon Records family suffered a grave loss last week when Richard Laferte II unexpectedly passed away Saturday, January 5th while visiting family and friends over the holidays in his home state of Maine. Richard, who was living in California with his wife of 4 years, Holly Atkinson Laferte, moved to Maine in 1983, and grew up in the Bangor area. Richard was involved in Little League baseball and youth hockey, and graduated from John Bapst Memorial High School in 1999. He was part of the YMCA Leader’s School, and received the Fellowship Cup during his last year in attendance.
Later in life Richard Laferte was a tireless friend of music and a right hand man at Farmageddon Records, helping to promote bands on the label’s roster and others in the underground and independent roots world. On Thursday, January 10th, music friends from all around the country trekked to the Peakes Hill Lodge in Dedham, Maine just southeast of Bangor to pay their respects and return the music favors Richard had bestowed to them over the years. Following a formal time of remembrance, the gathering turned to celebrating Richard’s life through music.
The celebration included the reunification of 3 original members of the .357 String Band, Jayke Orvis, Derek Dunn, and Joseph Huber. Though all 3 members have moved on to solo careers in music, this is the first time all three men were together since Jayke Orvis left the band in June of 2009. Other musicians in attendance were Graham Lindsey, James Hunnicutt, St. Christopher, and Braxton Brandenburg from the Ugly Valley Boys. Darren and Johnny Wrong of Farmageddon, as well as many other close friends and family were also in attendance.
Richard A. Laferte II was 31. Along with his wife Holly Atkinson Laferte, Richard is survived by his parents Dick and Debbie Laferte of Bangor.
Folks wanting to contribute to Richard’s family are asked to make a donation in his name to the Bangor YMCA Leader’s School in his name, Bangor YMCA 17 Second St., Bangor, ME 04401.
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.357 String Band Reunites for Richard Laferte:
Left: Richard Laferte. Right: Richard in YMCA Leaders School
Richard Laferte in the crowd at the Muddy Roots Festival 2011.
Original members of .357 String Band reunite for Richard
James Hunnicutt pays tribute to Richard.
Pictures from Richard Laferte celebration by Darren of Farmageddon and Braxton Brandenburg.
January 13, 2013 @ 2:36 pm
you cant be serious. This is an hour away from my place and I never heard a whisper about this. It is a shame that they all got together for such a tragic reason but they can be sure that a donation in his name will be made.
January 13, 2013 @ 4:55 pm
I heard about this all over facebook. It is a hard time for music right now. i did not know Richard but from what I have read above and on facebook, I missed out. My heart goes out to his family, the farmageddon family and all those who feel his loss. Thanks for the update Trigger. This site truly is the place to go for whats happening in the music scene!
January 14, 2013 @ 12:03 pm
I hate to say I didn’t know Richard very well either. I shook his hand once, but he was hard to miss in the crowds at Muddy Roots, fervently supporting the music and being the heart of the party. It was hard not to have fun when he was around.
January 13, 2013 @ 9:28 pm
Ya its been all over face book for me too. Thanks for posting Trigger Man. Sounds like a cool dude.
January 14, 2013 @ 6:40 am
A little off subject, but Rick Ness, ( the bass player for 357) is on the TV show called “Gold Rush Alaska”.
January 14, 2013 @ 12:03 pm
Have a story in the works about that as well.
January 14, 2013 @ 4:07 pm
Saw these posts on facebook. I never met the guy but do remember seeing him at Muddy Roots last year. Sad to hear.
January 17, 2013 @ 2:12 pm
I’m a little late to comment but this is another reason I continue to visit SCM. It is great to see someone honor the commitment and heart of those doing the hard work at the community level. He must have a very special person to bring the boys from .357 together that far off the beaten track.
January 23, 2013 @ 7:01 pm
Thanks for the write up Trigger Man! Richard had a huge heart and we love him a ton! He will be missed, but its a lesson to all of us to live more like he did, always smiling, always possitive!