We lost a dear classmate on December 11, 2024 with the passing of Richie Begin. Richie was a shining light of creativity in our class, and he went on to have an amazing and diverse musical career. We all remember Richie for his smile and sense of humor, and those big eyes that would grow bigger when he laughed. And, oh that laugh! Richie's musical career began for many of us when we heard him play "Wipeout" on the drums with his early junior high ,band - The Ocelots! We all knew this kid had talent.
Richie had an active high school career. He continued his music but also developed other talents. He was a very good writer, and, with John Markytan, became Sports Editor of The Tiger. These writing skills would serve him later as an entertainment and restaurant columnist in Santa Cruz for the weekly newspaper Good Times. Richie was also a really good athlete and was a leading scorer on the JV Basketball team. That Begin had great hand eye coordination and was really good in the surf on a Jack's Bellyboard. He was so popular, in fact, that he was elected Commissioner of Finance - perhaps an honor due more to his personality than skills with money.
After high school, Richie got more serious about his music. His various bands reflected the popular music of the time. Just listen to the names of his bands: The Ocelots, The Strain (punk), Park Hotel (country rock), The Cool Jerks (pop/rock), Soul University (funk/motown).
Begin went north and formed the Park Hotel Band in San Luis Obispo - reportedly one of the most popular gigs in town. Then he went further north to Santa Cruz where he became a really big name. At this point, Richie was no longer behind the drums, but rather out front on lead vocals. His tenor voice was soulful and quick, and his wit and on stage moves delighted the crowds. His bands - The Cool Jerks and Soul University - would fill Santa Cruz's top night club, The Catalyst. Described as the "Bay Area's Best Dance Band", Soul University, with Begin as lead vocalist and an active horn section, rocked the house.
At this point in his career, Richie honed his journalism skills learned first in Mr. Holmes' class. His columns on local rock bands and concerts were a must read. The paper was doing so well in fact that Begin started a column on local restaurants. Begin had a quick wit and a perceptive pen. By this time, Richie was beginning to play solo gigs as his guitar skills kept getting better. He wrote a multitude of songs and recorded them on CDs. His lyrics were often hilarious and bluesy at the same time. Who could forget the classic - "Vacuuming in the Nude"? You can check out some of Richie's songs on the Internet on the platform ReverbNation at Richie Begin Videos. He was simply prolific - writing song after song with all the chord progressions. His huge music library has been saved by John Markytan, Richie's best friend and music aficionado.
Richie then moved to Morro Bay where he continued his solo career. He was so talented that he recorded the drums, base, and rhythm guitar on his IPOD so that when he performed, he simply had to press a button, play lead guitar and sing. He often joked that his band was in his pocket and never late for gigs! Begin's sense of humor was one of his great gifts and his comments between songs were half the fun. He played for several years in Morro Bay's Dockside restaurant, taking requests and doing his thing, able to play any song requested.
Like most of us, Richie was happiest when he was with friends, and how he loved his friends! Music was his vehicle for expressing his feelings - joy and sorrow - and he gave his listeners countless moments of happiness. Thank you Richie for sharing this gift.
Stefanie Clark (Eskander) (1969)
We lost a dear classmate on December 11, 2024 with the passing of Richie Begin. Richie was a shining light of creativity in our class, and he went on to have an amazing and diverse musical career. We all remember Richie for his smile and sense of humor, and those big eyes that would grow bigger when he laughed. And, oh that laugh! Richie's musical career began for many of us when we heard him play "Wipeout" on the drums with his early junior high ,band - The Ocelots! We all knew this kid had talent.
Richie had an active high school career. He continued his music but also developed other talents. He was a very good writer, and, with John Markytan, became Sports Editor of The Tiger. These writing skills would serve him later as an entertainment and restaurant columnist in Santa Cruz for the weekly newspaper Good Times. Richie was also a really good athlete and was a leading scorer on the JV Basketball team. That Begin had great hand eye coordination and was really good in the surf on a Jack's Bellyboard. He was so popular, in fact, that he was elected Commissioner of Finance - perhaps an honor due more to his personality than skills with money.
After high school, Richie got more serious about his music. His various bands reflected the popular music of the time. Just listen to the names of his bands: The Ocelots, The Strain (punk), Park Hotel (country rock), The Cool Jerks (pop/rock), Soul University (funk/motown).
Begin went north and formed the Park Hotel Band in San Luis Obispo - reportedly one of the most popular gigs in town. Then he went further north to Santa Cruz where he became a really big name. At this point, Richie was no longer behind the drums, but rather out front on lead vocals. His tenor voice was soulful and quick, and his wit and on stage moves delighted the crowds. His bands - The Cool Jerks and Soul University - would fill Santa Cruz's top night club, The Catalyst. Described as the "Bay Area's Best Dance Band", Soul University, with Begin as lead vocalist and an active horn section, rocked the house.
At this point in his career, Richie honed his journalism skills learned first in Mr. Holmes' class. His columns on local rock bands and concerts were a must read. The paper was doing so well in fact that Begin started a column on local restaurants. Begin had a quick wit and a perceptive pen. By this time, Richie was beginning to play solo gigs as his guitar skills kept getting better. He wrote a multitude of songs and recorded them on CDs. His lyrics were often hilarious and bluesy at the same time. Who could forget the classic - "Vacuuming in the Nude"? You can check out some of Richie's songs on the Internet on the platform ReverbNation at Richie Begin Videos. He was simply prolific - writing song after song with all the chord progressions. His huge music library has been saved by John Markytan, Richie's best friend and music aficionado.
Richie then moved to Morro Bay where he continued his solo career. He was so talented that he recorded the drums, base, and rhythm guitar on his IPOD so that when he performed, he simply had to press a button, play lead guitar and sing. He often joked that his band was in his pocket and never late for gigs! Begin's sense of humor was one of his great gifts and his comments between songs were half the fun. He played for several years in Morro Bay's Dockside restaurant, taking requests and doing his thing, able to play any song requested.
Like most of us, Richie was happiest when he was with friends, and how he loved his friends! Music was his vehicle for expressing his feelings - joy and sorrow - and he gave his listeners countless moments of happiness. Thank you Richie for sharing this gift.
(Written by Bill Hoffman)