Atlanta Music Scene Has Moved To WordPress
Slowly but surely, the Atlanta Music Scene blog has been transitioning to WordPress - a bigger and better blogging and commenting experience!
See you there, at http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-music-scene/
Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > April > 17 > Entry
Sean Costello
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sean Costello. Photo: Delta Groove Productions.
It’s a gloomy week for Georgia music. The passing of a bright young talent such as Atlanta guitarist Sean Costello is sad beyond words.
It’s difficult to listen to Costello’s version of the traditional gospel tune “Going Home” today. “Soon I will be done with the trouble of this world,” it begins, in the gravelly voice of the acclaimed guitarist, singer and songwriter who died Tuesday. That song is one of the highlights on his just-released fifth album, “We Can Get Together.” For those who missed the news of Costello’s passing, the story is here, and the guest book is here.
Shock seems to be the common response from fellow musicians. “Our friend is gone. Our hearts are broken,” reads the message on the MySpace page of Atlanta blues band the Breeze Kings.
Despite his youth, Costello was an old musical soul. His influences were definitely old school. “When I want to really enjoy music, I tend to pull out the old classics,” he told me in an interview back in early 2005, about the time his self-titled fourth album was released. “I listen to a lot of old soul records, a lot of gospel music, and I’m a huge Dylan fan.”
Carol Peters of Peters Management Syndicate, Costello’s manager, is a Chicago native who saw many blues greats, including Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. She became an instant fan the first time she saw Costello play. “He didn’t just perform, he became the music,” she writes in an e-mail sent to the AJC on Wednesday. “Every finger, shoulder, footstep and facial expression communicated the music. It came from someplace within him and poured out of him.”
The Atlanta blues scene has a lost a big chunk of its heart.
Services »
Comments
By Hellbent
April 17, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
I was fortunate enough to see Sean Costello several times here in Atlanta. The first time was at Music Midtown several years ago. He blew me a way with his talent. Most recently, I had the opportunity to see him at Charlie Mopps in Sandy Springs and was thrilled yet again. I met with him and told him my story of the first time I’d seen him at Music Midtown with a line-up that included Susan Tedeschi & Beth Hart and how much that day was seared into my memory for all time. He was quite humble and down-to-earth about it. I’m saddened that I will not be able to see him again.
By chipdip
April 17, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
I only saw him once at Chip’s back in 2004 and was totally blown away…i was able to talk to him for awhile about his influnces and the guitars he owned.A really class act and down to earth cat…can’t believe he is gone…worst lost since SRV died…Sean was the man!!!!!!!!!!!! RIP BROTHER!!!!!!!!!YOUR MUSIC WILL LIVE ON FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By MITCHELL
April 17, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
Sean was not only a great musician, but a great friend. Playing with him was always a pleasure…..He lived and breathed his music and was always happiest when playing. We will all miss him immensely.
By daveman
April 17, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
I saw him several times about 10 years ago. The first time you saw him play his talent and soul just hit you because of the feeling that he put in the music. I’m still in shock that someone like him could be gone at such a young age. It is an understatement that he will be missed.
By gil
April 17, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
RIP..to Sean. While I did not know him personally, it’s sad to see someone so young and with a promising future ahead die. This is tragic. My condolences to family and friends.
By Cheryl
April 17, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
I,too, am shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the death of Shawn. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform twice, most recently at the Heritage Music Fest in Wheeling, W.Va., last summer. It will forever be in my memory. Condolences to his family and friends.
By Bill in Alpharetta
April 17, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
My wife and I saw Sean play many times since he was 16 years old when his parents had to accompany him to gigs. We feel, like many others, that his talent far exceeded his years and that he was always one of our favorite blues artists. Very talented performer, singer, songwriter and blues guitar player. Sean was always willing to say hello and play our requests. We sincerely express our deepest condolences and sorrow to his family and friends. Sean will truly be missed.
By Peter
April 17, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
My wife met Sean while working on the WREK Friday Night Fish Fry, while Sean was play with “his Jive Bombers”. He was always a gracious guy and seemed genuine. He played at our wedding reception in 2002 and I was able to play Stormy Monday with him and his band. For an amateur it was thrilling. This news has hit us hard. I guess it is just shocking to know you’ll never see him ripping up the fret board again. What a great artist, Sean, you will be missed.
By will pettys
April 17, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
this sucks
By Kelly
April 17, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
I am completely stunned and profoundly saddened by the news of Sean’s passing. My husband and I have been fortunate enough to see him play live four times in and around Atlanta over the last 5 years. The last time was less than a week ago in Buford where we sat less than 3 feet away from this blues genius. He never ceased to amaze and captivate his audiences. As luck would have it, I was finally able to convince my parents and sister and brother-in-law to join us. As you would expect, they were blown away by his musical talent. My heart goes out to his family, friends, band mates, the blues community and to everyone who has not yet discovered this talented man. The world has lost a blues legacy way before his time and the city of Atlanta has lost a friend. We will miss you Sean.
By Jay
April 18, 2008 4:38 AM | Link to this
hmmm….blues singer…motel room…dead at 29.
drugs drugs drugs
it sucks and i don’t mean to sound insensitive. but jesus christ, lay off it. know your limits. he even writes a song about dying (going home) on his last album, released two months ago.
“i’m going home to live with god.”
he wanted to die, for whatever reason.
immensely talented though, and he was passionate - i’ll give him that.
By Dave
April 18, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this
Sad
By Julie Simon/Danny Thiets
April 18, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
We have been strong supporters of Sean since we first saw him way back in 1994 at McNeely’s bar on Peachtree; what an amazing human being and such an incredible talent.
While we all struggle to accept this unimaginable loss, our deepest condolences to Sean’s family and his many, many fans.
We will be there to show our respect tonight but please know that we will never forget Sean. I planted a memory flower garden in his honor yesterday.
Rest in peace, sweet Sean. We love you like a member of our family and we always will. Our hearts are broken and we only wish he could have found a way to feel as happy on the inside as he appeared to be on the outside.
By Snit
April 19, 2008 3:46 AM | Link to this
This has been a bad week for Rock n Roll..Sean,Chris Gaffney and Danny Federici..I knew Sean well..we had several friends in common..Jeff Bakos and Kevin Jennings..most close to home.We had talked several times through the years about playing together.Now I won’t get the chance…and the world that hadn’t heard this talent will be missed out..RIP ya Guitar Playing one
By Bobby Little
April 19, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
My Prayers Go Out To The Costello Family….From Bobby Little And Billy Gibson.And The Counts Of Rhythm.. I Met Sean Costello In The Studio.He Was 15 At The Time And This Was His 1st,Recording Midnight Coming, Delta Nova, You Been Cheating..Cuts On The Bobby Little Problem Solver.Guitar Al Rollag and Sean Costello Hermonica Billy Gibson Bass Carl Shankia Drums Bobby Little. Rest In Peace Sean.
By drew
April 19, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
uh…who?
By Pat Dennis
April 20, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Another great musician, and friend,was lost this week, Cliff Davies. Cliff was the drummer for Ted Nugent and a great jazz drummer as well. I had the pleasure to work with Cliff for several years. I will miss him. Rest in peace my friend.
By shut up pat dennis
April 20, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
pat, you are way out of line and being totally disrespectful for coming on this board and speaking of an unrelated death. that’s like going to costello’s funeral and reading davies’ eulogy. shut the hell up and get the hell out of here - no one cares about your insignificant loss.
rip sean
By mike haislip
April 25, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
This passing of the great and humble Sean is a great loss to humanity. I saw Sean perform around 50 times. I fondly remember one Sat. Night at the Northside tavern, when Sean picked up a Mandoulin and played several tunes in front of the club for me and several others.Sean will always be my favorite live performer. He had the voice of a nightengale and could play single blues better than any one. May you rest in peace my Philly guy. Mike Haislip
By Josh
April 29, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
I just lost my breath. I’m a bit late on getting the news and am saddened to have learned of his passing. I’m a huge fan and had the pleasure of meeting him and seeing several of his shows. What an unbelievable talent he was. I will cherish his music for the duration of my life span!!!
RIP Sean!
By Marta Slosarska
May 1, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
Don’t you people have families, jobs and your own problems to deal with?
Instead of speculating on Sean’s causes of death, (what by the way IS NOT YOUR BUISNESS!!!), you should take care of the people you love cause life is short and you never know what tomorrow is gonna be… If you’ve ever got the chance to meet him or not, whatever, for god sake show some respect! To Sean, to his family, to his REAL friends…
Some of you may think that they know things, or hope that they’re going to find out what happened. Just let him Rest In Peace and focus your f*** curiosity on something else!
PS. Jay, you’re an asshole!
By sammy the button
May 1, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
I,m the guy who,s going to stuff Jay into a hollow body Gibson 190. Then put him in a trash dump.
By larisa
May 2, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
I’m shocked and speechless. I’m glad I got to meet him and stay in contact over the years. My heart goes out to family, friends, and fans.
By Ed
May 3, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Wow.
http://penis-enhancement-secrets.com
By Ed
May 3, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Wow.
http://penis-enhancement-secrets.com
By Marta Slosarska
May 4, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Sean was a wonderful, caring and private person. He never speculated or relished in other people’s sorrows; rather, spent most of his time and energy trying to help them heal. There is nothing in this speculation that will bring him back or make any of those suffering the immensity of his loss feel better. If you knew him and his music, you would be too devastated to ask questions that have no answer and will bring no peace. Just read the comments from the many who knew and loved him, and the passion he shared through his music. If you wish to spend your days fishing for a story that will somehow make your life more meaningful in some way, there is no way to stop you; however, you obviously are not a person who knew and loved Sean, and, therefore, have no right to any information about his life or death. He did not belong to you. Only his music is open to pu blic scrutiny. One can only hope that you find a more charitable and useful outlet for your energy, because you may be hurting someone you do not even know. Karma is a funny thing, and what goes around comes around. Sean lived his live in peace with others. May you grant him peace in this very sad time.
By Uncle John
May 9, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Marta,
Amen ! Thank you.
By jimelyyes
May 11, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
there is the professional world of warcraft power leveling here. welcome.
By jimelyyes
May 12, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
there is the professional world of warcraft power leveling here. welcome.
By sk
May 18, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
I just learned of seans death and I am shocked to say the least.I have seen sean many times and every time he blew me and every one who was with me away.I will miss him greatly!!!!!!!
By Big Dog
May 20, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
No point ripping on someone because they are curious about the way Sean died. It’s just human nature.
I too, am wondering what happened to this immensley talented, young cat. I had the extreme pleasure to open for Sean at Bayfest in Green Bay, Wi a few years ago, right after he released Moanin’ fo Molasses. I stood by the right front of the stage just mesmerized by the way this young’un played.
He definitely left this world far to quickly. But, he played like he had been here far longer than he was.
Tragic loss.
dog
By Philippe Loncke
May 23, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
j’ai eu la chance de voir Sean à Menin en Belgique le 22 Novembre 2007, je me souviens du super moment passé ce soir là, Partis beaucoup trop tôt vraiment dommage c’était un virtuose ! Philippe Loncke
By Johnson
June 11, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
I’m shocked and speechless.
http://www.callerbase.com/area/317
By Charlie from Lake Orion
August 4, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
I just stumbled across this terrible news searching for Sean’s tour schedule this summer. I have been ‘promoting’ Sean’s music to friends since I heard him in Tawas City, Mich three years ago and just about hit the floor when I heard this news. An incredible, heartbreaking loss to his friends, family and anyone who loves blues music. His latest album had “Grammy Award” written all over it. I’m absolutely stunned. God Bless him and his family.