Wayman Tisdale
Friday, May 15, 2009Sad News,
Wayman Tisdale passed away today. I first met Wayman in 1987. He was 2 years into what would become a 12 year career in the NBA. While I was a student under Marcus Miller , hanging in the studios for the better part of three years with Marcus. Wayman signed his first contract and when asked by his agent "you are now rich and your family will always be secure , what do you want to do for yourself?" Wayman said.
"I want to meet the guy that produces Luther Vandross" that guy was Marcus Miller. When Waymans agent got in touch with Marcus , Marcus said "He wants to meet me?!?! I WANT TO MEET HIM!" Wayman was a bass player at the time. Obviously he was a far better basketball player but he was always in love with the bass and he wanted to meet his favorite bass player on earth. Marcus. Its funny, Wayman and I both learned from Marcus and Wayman went on to become equally as popular a musician as he was an athlete. An extremely rare feat indeed. You have to tip your hat to him for figuring out not one but two extremely difficult fields. He was just that kind of guy.
I met Wayman about 6 months or so after Marcus started what would be a very close friendship. I was a huge basketball fan and a big big Wayman Tisdale fan. It was so cool to get to meet him but far more cool to find out that he was as down to earth as could be and a gentle giant. His smile lit up the room and although we didnt become the bestest friends on earth. we did have a nice time hanging together and subsequently spent some nice evenings together talking about music and hanging out in boston when he was a member of the sacramento kings. Wayman was 7 years older than me but always treated me like one of the boys and was my buddy.
We shared a nice moment together on the team bus after the Celtics destroyed his kings. I was walking to the back of the buss and I believe Rodney McCray said "no whitey on the back of the bus" to me.....jokingly of course......to which Wayman said "he aint white.....he's funky and with me" hahahah , that was Wayman.
Wayman, wherever you are. just know. I loved you man. You were such a great guy, so talented and anytime you were around the room lit up. the world was blessed to have you on it.
rest in peace man.
