A rock and roll performance can be many things, inspiring, exciting, shocking, possibly even disturbing, but one thing it should never be is tragic. However, that was the scene last Friday night at the P&G Bar, when we watched in horror as EMS tried to revive my friend Bleu Ocean, after he passed out during a performance by the popular local band, The New York Blues Project.
Blue, a fixture in the local music scene for nearly half a century, suffered a heart attack midway through the show amidst a scene that quickly grew surreal. A room filled with friends cheered him on as police and paramedics took the stage. In a place where music was to be performed, they instead performed CPR, trying desperately to revive him. Bleu was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he fought bravely for four days until he could fight no more. Blue died at noon today. It’s truly ironic that a man with a heart so big was done in by his own. Rest in peace, Blue Ocean, we’re all richer for having known you.
A 1977 Letter From New York Rock Inc, President Bleu Ocean
