Feb. 3 -- here's the obit:
Friends remember prowess of drummer Donald Lindley
By Rebecca Thatcher
American-Statesman Staff
Published: Feb. 4, 1999
Donald Lindley, a master drummer who played for Lucinda Williams, Joe Ely
and many other musicians, died Wednesday afternoon of lung cancer at Seton
Medical Center. He was 47.
Friends remembered him Wednesday night as a brilliant drummer who toured
relentlessly and yet was a much-sought-after studio musician.
"He never forgot a song," said singer Rosie Flores, who performed with
Lindley for many years. "He was always willing to try to come up with a part
that made you happy."
Lindley was born in Phoenix and worked in Detroit, Connecticut and Los
Angeles before settling in Austin six years ago. He toured Italy with Joe
Ely in October and went to England with Lucinda Williams in November.
He was diagnosed with cancer in December, said his wife, Kathy Lindley. "We
were just blessed that he was so strong," she said. "He must have been ill
for quite some time."
Kathy Lindley said they met in Los Angeles and were married during the South
by Southwest music festival 11 years ago.
Donald Lindley loved to shop and would bring gifts from all of his tours,
she said.
Lucinda Hinton-Schwan, an Austin actress and stuntwoman who has known
Lindley for many years, said Lindley was as entertaining to watch as he was
wonderful to listen to.
"They called him the clock because he always kept perfect time," she said.
"He is one of the greatest . . . and as a person . . . a sweetheart. He was
too young for this to happen to."
Clifford Antone, whose blues club has played host to Joe Ely's band, said
Lindley was especially well-known for his studio work.
"He was very versatile," Antone said. "He fit that type of singer-songwriter
very well. He understood the feeling that they needed. It's called getting
in the pocket."
Besides his wife, Lindley leaves his 9-year-old-son, Jesse Brian Lindley.
A service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ Of
Latter-Day Saints at 5201 Convict Hill Road. Another service will be Monday
in Phoenix.
