Richard Waters

knew Richard from the music scene many years back when I managed 2 percussion shops in Los Angeles. I always looked forward to our conversations and the few face to face meetings we had back when. such a kind and talented man that I remember forever. * I was sorry to see this posting after showing someone the water phone on the web. RIP Richard - Gary

I was saddened to learn of Richard's passing. I first met him through mutual friends and later we were environmental activists involved in the same issues. He always had that ready smile, warm words and a prompt quip to set the mood. He will be greatly missed.

I purchased a waterphone from Richard seven years ago and it changed my life. Thanks for your creativity Richard! I'll always be inspired by you!

So much to remember as regards Richard starting soon after meeting Lee Charlton circa 1968 and driving with him up to Sebastapol where we were introduced to Richard and his beginning experiments with the Waterphone which became a world-wide addition to movies, movie actors and musicians (Emil Richards,Lalo Schifrin) and of course shared the group name- the Gravity Adjusters Expansion Band of which I was a member for a period including two L.A. recordings in Roy Harte's Nocturne Studios. So...

I first met Richard in 1958 in Biloxi. Those were wild times, in Biloxi. Known as Dickie, in those days, Richard would show up at many of the clubs where jazz was the music that was alive and abundant. Richard loved live jazz that went on into the wee hours of the morning. Many times, after the clubs closed, we would end up at the Gulf Hills ski shack.

Richard ventured to California in 1961, to continue his education. And I followed in 1963 with members of our jazz group, all of...

I loved hearing the waterphone on "Kung Fu".

Richard was my neighbor for almost 15 years.
I used to hear unfamiliar unusual sounds emanating from his studio. After awhile, I understood these timbres. They were metal kinetic and sonic sculptures of his invention.
Richard always was tinkering ala Mad Professor on new devises. He had an incredible garden of exotic plants and was an authority on bamboo which later on became a source for new instruments including batutus and guiros. Richard was a prolific multimedia artist including...

DICKIE WAS A GOOD MAN, A TALENTED MAN AND A LONG TIME FRIEND. HE WILL BE MISSED.

Lots of good things to remember about Richard - great wit, happy disposition and lots of Hawaiian shirts. Such a talent as well. Will miss him, especially when I return to the coast

Cynthia