Update: Please visit the Del Rendon Foundation, which seeks to establish an art scholarship at Mississippi State University.
Del Rendon was a mainstay of the Starkville music scene and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever want to meet. He slid me a beer on more than one occasion when I didn’t have a dime, and I saw him just the other night after Pinky’s wedding. He was hunkered down in a corner at the Dark Horse, just like always. If I knew anything, I knew that I could walk into that bar and see Del sitting there or, just as likely, playing.
In 2000 I wrote a little thing about them that I put out on the internets, and Del called me after he saw it, and asked if I’d write a piece for the Puerto Rican Rum Drunks, his band, for the Planet Weekly. I think I did, but I can’t really remember. It was one of the very first times that anyone had ever said that they liked the way I wrote, and it meant more to me than I can ever say. This is the little blip he liked, the way it looked then:
i started seeing del play every tuesday nite at dave’s at the beginning of the year, and i really started to listen to the soft reggae slant he spun on beatles covers, his genuine soul vocals, and how much he really seemed to put into the music. he played songs i hadn’t heard in years, hadn’t ever heard done that way, or had never heard at all. although i’m a classic rock ho, birmingham spurns van morrisson except from the ubiquitous “brown-eyed girl” and—maybe—”domino”, and so i had never come within twenty paces of “crazy love.” then i had to dig up a version with dylan singing along so i could get it as close to del’s as possible. plus him and nate made me start listening to ben harper, and that ain’t bad either.then the rum drunks started coming around more and they gave me a reason to dance, and a means to do it, too. an extraordinary live band that can burn the house down. i made some horrible fliers for their cd-release party that were saved, almost, by pinky hand-coloring every one of them until we broke half the crayons in the house. then we wore out our little feets hanging them up just like we have for years. i can’t remember the show—something about a lot of beer, i’m sure—but i know i paid cover (dave even put up a special sign to remind certain folks to do so) and if you ever catch me whistling (and i do a lot), it’s ten-to-one that it’s gonna be “bad renters,” because it just don’t leave my head.
then, of course, there’s the fact that they do “country honk,” and seeing it in jackson is a special damn treat. i think the night woodroe and i saw them at george street damaged my body more than anything in my life (thanks to penny for driving us). p.s.: they are playing at hal & mal’s on december sixteenth. a great bunch of guys.
I was looking at some of the t-shirts from that George Street rowdyness last night. Woodroe & I bought a bunch of white t-shirts at the Target and some iron-on letters and ridiculous embroidered patches, and made a whole bunch up for the show. Mine had “PRRD” on it, with the R’s upside down, and a butterfly on the back. I wore it until it fell to pieces.
Two things: the Rum Drunks did a reggae version of “Crazy Train,” which was awesome. Second: they used to do a show-closer that mixed “Let’s Get It On” with “Sexual Healing,” a jam they’d drag out for twenty or thirty minutes, and it was so goddamn perfect that people would be making out, I mean about to do it, there was so much soul and lust and sweat in it.
Del had a few pieces up at an art auction at the Caragen House once back in ‘99 or early 2000, and I told him how much I loved one, a still-life on a warped piece of wood with blues and oranges that just shouted at you. It didn’t sell, and so later he came by 1116B with it in tow. “Hey man, you told me you liked this thing, so I figured you could have it.”
“Del,” I protested, “you can’t just give away your art, man. I mean, I’ll pay for it,” I said, but I looked down when I said it, because I couldn’t, and he knew that, because I was dirt poor just like everybody else and traded bands fliers for free beer and cover. He cuffed me on the back of the head and said “look, man, if you like this piece of shit? You can have it. You can buy me a beer some day.”
That’s just how he was. That painting still hangs in my house today. And I still owe you that beer, Del.
Information about services is here, and a guestbook is here.
i thought that i was done crying, but i guess i wasn’t. thank you for this, for remembering him the way we all did.
[...] 10:45 — Section: mississippi Hey, Starkville people: click here for gorjus’s sweet memory of Del Rendon, Rock Star and Legend, who passed away over the weekend. Del wa [...]
Jesus Christ, man. I loved Del! This may be the most depressing two weeks I’ve encountered since 9/11.
It’s very sad about his passing. He was such a very kind and dear man. I don’t how to explain it, but being around him just put me in a good mood. I guess that’s one of the reasons why I just loved watching him perform.
I often think of what a preacher said about my cousin at his funeral many years ago.
Though we may not understand the passing of others, it is God’s plan. It’s not really meant for us to understand it in this world. He explained that our existance here on this earth is like the underside of a cross stitch picture. It looks like a bunch of jumbled up pieces of string and colors that doesn’t make much sense. It’s not until we turn it over that it yields a beautiful picture. That’s how it is with God in Heaven.
I think of how special of a person Del was here on Earth. It makes me smile to think how he was to so many while he was here with us and how he is now to God.
My deepest condolences go out to his dearest friends and families.
Del had a gift that very few ever have and I only new his music. A few small conversations here and there after a show, he only knew me as Minneapolis. His performances were absolutely unbelievable. You could watch him get lost in the music. I regret all the shows I missed and will never forget the ones I caught. Even though I hardly knew him his passion for life was so very apparent. He’s one of the few people in life that you can’t help but admire. I’m sorry for the people close to him, the world is a lesser place without him. His music and voice will not be forgotten.
O my, so much to say, too little time. Del’s passing was one of the most upsetting times in my life I have to say. I can remember living at Greentree Apts. in Starkville and staying up all night with Del (bless his heart, I was an insomniac) and he would listen to every stupid little thing I had to say. He would tell me how much he loved Christi and how great she made him feel and would make sure that I treated his bandmate right.
In the throes of my depression, he would pull me out of my funk by asking me to sing for him while he learned every Juliana Hatfield song that I wanted him to. He knew how much I loved her music. And, then he would join in with me and we would both crack up when he got the words wrong! My poor dog, Hansel, hated it when Del would leave – aside from Dave Drane, he loved Del and Mark more than any three men I know (even now). Hansel is still with me and every time I look at him I am reminded of my Starkville days filled with the music and friends that surrounded Del and his posse. Those were the days.
Del, I just wanted to say thanks so much for being my friend, for being so talented, for helping my ex find a best friend when he knew no one and someone who could keep up with him musically….i know everyone else feels the same as I do.
When I went back for the funeral, I was very uplifted by the fact that everyone that touched my heart still loved Del as I did. And, I was extremely ecstatic to see that he had made so many new friends and still kept everyone sane with his music.
Christi, Martin, Elizabeth, Mark, Dave H., my thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care of Christi. She is a beautiful, strong woman and i know that Del is looking down on all of you, begging you to smile up at him and tell him “We’re okay…”
Love,
Tina
Wow T! You really know how to put words on “paper” – I had no idea that your writing could be so moving. Tears welled up in my eyes. Hang in there – Love u babe! Have no clue what I would do without you! -Paris
[...] The Del Rendon Foundation. faked by: gorjus Recently I wrote about the loss of a wonderful musician, Del Rendon. His family and friends have taken on a wonderfu [...]
I sit here tonight, reflecting on Del, as I make two very special pieces of jewelry for two very special people, who were very close to and loved very much by Del.
I listen to his music and smile. I think of smoke in the tavern Tavern, of generosity, lost lyrics in a song, of touching the world thru your words and your smile. I stand in awe of such a man who could touch your soul so closely without ever knowing you, or speaking with you more than once. We can only hope to be as well loved and remembered when our time comes.
Del was the kind of guy that touched you heart. He always made you feel so special. Del’s funeral was one I will never forget. You could feel his spirit there with each one of us. The butterfly that flittered around his beautiful Christi was wonderful. He will be missed forever but always remembered by his family and friends. We love you Del
Del’s music was timeless. I’ll never forget!
I still miss him so much! Headed to Starkvegas this week – haven’t been in The Tavern in years – His spirit lives on!