| Registered on July 21, 2019 and updated on July 21, 2019:
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Personal Information:
| Rest in Peace 2019 |
| Name: | William Bill Vitt
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| High School: | Highlands High |
| First Year: | 0000 |
| Last Year: | 0000 |
| Class Year: | 1962 |
| City: | |
| State: | |
| Postal Code: | |
| Country: | United States |
| Gender: | Male |
| Homepage: | |
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DOD: July 16, 2019
From Steve Williams:
Sad news to share with my classmates from the Highlands HS Class of ’62. Last Monday I received an e-mail from Bill Vitt which said, in part, “…the cancer went wild and I may not be alive by tomorrow.” On Friday I received an e-mail from his business partner who informed me “with deepest regrets” of Bill’s death on Tuesday. Bill was truly a unique individual who not only marched to the beat of a different drummer but who also played the drum as well. I’m sure you all remember Bill’s rock ‘n roll band in high school.
In the mid-60s, Bill moved to Los Angeles, where he soon became in demand as a studio musician known for his skills on the drums and keyboard. At the end of the decade, he returned to San Francisco, where he performed and recorded with Jerry Garcia, Merl Saunders, and Tom Fogerty. Bill also performed and/or recorded with the Sons of Champlin, Pee Wee Ellis, Sonny & Cher, Charlie Musselwhite, the Coasters, and James Cotton.
In the ‘80s, Bill began a new career in the wine industry. I remember spending weekends at his home in the center of acres of vineyards near Healdsburg, CA. His living room was converted into a recording studio with a full array of music instruments hanging on the walls and a piano, organ, a sound synthesizer and an electric keyboard in the center of the room. He continued to be available as a backup drummer and keyboardist to some of the biggest bands in the industry. At one point he was a co-owner in the Soda Rock Winery in the Alexander Valley. For the past two decades or so, he was a wine broker dealing with clients from around the world.
Bill, you and I were friends since we were 13 years old and neighbors in Foothill Farms. I always admired you and your passion in pursuing your musical career. Cheers, my friend. I have one remaining bottle of your Soda Rock wine. Tonight I’m opening the bottle and toasting your memory. RIP, my friend. | | |
