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Robert Swetz says goodbye to his close friend Thor Lindsay

By
Industry Observer

 

Monday, July 17, 2017

Robert Swetz says goodbye to his close friend Thor Lindsay

 
 
Some very special friends before a hike to the top of Mt Hood in Oregon - Larry Jones on the left, Rick Johnson in the middle, Robert Swetz standing with the (big hair) and Thor Lindsay on the far right 1979


Robert Swetz says goodbye to his close friend Thor Lindsay ...

Robert Swetz and Thor Lindsay have know each other since we were 8 years old. Thor and I lived in a small suburb of a major city in the Midwest, we lived in the same neighborhood, went to the same schools and did many activities together.

Thor had a grandfather that lived in Portland Oregon so back in 1975 Thor and I decided to hitchhike out to Portland for a fresh start and to get away from the long cold winters of the Midwest.
Rich Johnson, Roseann Johnson and several other close friends from the Midwest moved out to Portland several years after Thor and I.

Thor and I were into rock music and would attend every concert we had the chance to go to.
We would see bands like the J Geils Band, Foghat, Eric Clapton, Alice Cooper, David Bowie, Blonde, Iggy Pop, BTO, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Peter Frampton, Paul McCartney & Wings, Robert Gordon, Ramons, Santana, Rolling Stones and many more rock bands from the 70's.

In 1975 Thor and I went to see Bruce Springsteen when he first put out the album Born to Run. At this time Bruce was not very popular and he started his tour in Portland Oregon. Thor and I had front row seats for the Bruce Springsteen concert and we were only teenagers at the time, and get this ... Bruce was sporting a huge beard at his concert in Portland before he shaved it off days later while touring. Anyway Bruce was singing Born to Run he jumped up on the a small rail in front of Thor and I, we both put out our hands and Bruce slapped both of our hands. Thor and I looked at each other like ... WOW!

Well this was the start for a very successful career for Thor Lindsay. While Thor and I continued living in Portland we got into the Punk music in the late 70's and Thor actually played in one of the Punk bands in Portland.
As the years went by Thor continued his interest in the music industry, created a partnership with his own record label in Portland, became friends with Curt Cobain and produced several albums for Nirvana and many other bands.
 
Kurt Cobain & Thor Lindsay
Kurt Cobain & Thor Lindsay March 26, 1994
 

Thor also hooked up lighting and sound systems for night clubs that had live music.
Later on Thor went on the road doing the lighting for David Bowie and some other famous bands.

Thor Lindsay was a very close friend of mine and we were like brothers growing up, and this post is only a fraction of Thor's success and some of the things we did growing up.

It really saddens me to say that my friend Thor Lindsay passed away on the evening of 7/16/2017, I just found out today.
Thor was suffering from lung complications and has went to a better place with less worry and pain.
I was planing a trip to visit Thor in October of 2017 in Portland Oregon, we have not seen each other in almost 30 years. I did have the chance though to talk with him for over an hour one month ago.

I am so sorry that we will not be able to meet in this world.
I miss you my friend and this post is for you, you will be missed by many and until we meet again in the next life ...

Goodbye ;o(





 

 

 

Posted by

Robert "Vegas Bob" Swetz  

Direct: 408 410 4171

"Have a Wonderful Day"

VIDEOS BY VEGAS BOB

 

Comments (13)

Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Jul 17, 2017 08:52 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

VB:) sorry for the loss of your friend, a very good friend of mine is coming to visit at the end of the year and we have not seen each other in 20 years... some say how is that possible.... life comes into play...  remember the good times Endre

Jul 17, 2017 11:13 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Hello VB.  I feel you pain as you wrote about all the good times with Thor.  Keep focused on the good times.

Jul 18, 2017 02:46 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I'm sorry for your loss, Bob!  But, those are some powerfully strong memories you have.  

Jul 18, 2017 03:16 AM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

It is highly sobering whenever we lose a close friend for any reason. Just remember the good times. 

Jul 18, 2017 05:08 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good morning, Bob... so hard to lose old friends (it's happened to me too many times already) before what we could consider it being their "time." I'm sorry for your loss of such a good friend, but hopefully the good memories you shared will sustain you.

Jul 18, 2017 05:19 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Losing people that we care so much about and have had so many great times with is so very hard.  A close friend of mine passed away recently and I definitely wish I had more time to spend with her.

Jul 18, 2017 10:56 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

So sorry to hear of your loss.  Sounds like Thor lived a very happy and full life.

Jul 18, 2017 02:20 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Thanks for stopping by for a comment everyone ...

Jul 18, 2017 08:26 PM
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Hi Vegas Bob, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, Thor.

Jul 19, 2017 06:20 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Great story about Thor, and the pictures were very interesting too.  Sorry you guys didn't get to meet up this year!

Jul 21, 2017 08:03 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

VB, I also read your other post about him being all around you. I am thankful for you that at least you two spoke about a month ago. He obviously was monumental in his influence in your life and he is with you til forever! He would be so pleased with the heartfelt story you told us, along with the other one that I read with his photo on the guitar early in your adolescence. 

Aug 03, 2017 11:54 AM
Anonymous
Lisa Wallace

I was with Thor the day before he died. One of my best friends. Great to hear your history with him. RIP Thor Lindsay.

Mar 08, 2018 06:32 AM
#13