Lakes Region fixture passes on

[Old Hubbard Rd]

I'm not sure if any of you know Eddie Barbato. He's been a fixture in the Lakes Region the past 25-30 years. Eddie passed away of Colon Cancer this past week. He entertained most of us for years. You may have seen him on "The Mount" entertaining the kids on family night. He was known as Crazy Eddie to the kids. He spent may years entertaining the adults on The Mount as well as many local pubs and restaurants. Eddie could play every instument. He played with many very famous musicians. Here's a copy of his obit:

Edward L. Barbato
MEREDITH ; Edward L. Barbato, 60, of 33 Cataldo Road died Thursday, March 6, at Lakes Region General Hospital, Laconia. His wife, Patty, niece Ashley, and two longtime dear friends were at his side.

Born Jan. 13, 1948, in the Bronx, N.Y., Eddie was the son of Louis and Harriet (Vogel) Barbato.

He began performing at the age of 4 with his parents in a vaudeville act called The Sweethearts of Broadway.

He had been teaching and performing in the Lakes Region since the 1970s. His main love was playing drums and he had performed with Al Kooper, Cyndi Lauper, Chuck Berry, The Belmonts, Bob Dylan, The Drifters, Little Richard, Paul Shaffer, Bruce Springsteen, the Neville Brothers, and with his brother-in-law, Joey Dee and The Starlighters, known for recording "The Peppermint Twist."

Here in the Lakes Region, he was the drummer for the well-known groups Colada, Joe Droukis and The Bombers, and the Parlour Band. Eddie had performed with his longtime close friends aboard the MS Mount Washington for 20 or more summers. It was here performing solo on Family Night that he acquired the name "Crazie Eddie."

He played drums on recordings of Al Kooper's "Naked Songs," MD's "New Edge Old Souls," Joe Doukis' "Christmas Is A State of Mind," the Parlour Band, "J.R. Funk" and the Love Machine's Feel Good Party Time." His last, most recent project was playing drums on the CD of Ray Purcell's "Pieces of the Puzzle" which will be released this summer.

Eddie released his own CD, entitled "Point of a Journey," which sold thousands of copies. He also played drums on the recording of the theme song for Ernest Thompson's play, "Ax of Love," which will open later this year. In addition, he played drums on a song appearing on the television special of "On Golden Pond" starring Julie Andrews.

Eddie toured with the Marshall Tucker Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Charlie Daniels Band, and Wet Willy. He had appeared on American Bandstand, is listed in "Who's Who of Musicians" and was a member of Local 38 New York City's Musician Union.

One of Eddie's greatest rewards came by teaching countless students of all ages drums and guitar for years at Greenlaw's Music in Laconia.

Eddie leaves his wife, Patty, and a large, loving, extended family residing in Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and New Hampshire.

Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home, Laconia, provided cremation. At Eddie's request, a small gathering of close friends and family members took place at his home on March 9.

An invitation to all who wish to express sympathy or share a memory will take place at Steele Hill Resort in Sanbornton on Sunday, March 16, from 2 to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial donations to Make-A-Wish Foundation of N.H., the N.H. Humane Society, or the American Cancer Society.

[winnidiver]

I had no idea. We were not close,but I have know Eddie since he started playing with Joe in the 70's. I will miss him.
That's the trouble with growing old you start seeing all your friends in the obits.