Drummer Jerry Fuchs dead after fall down elevator shaft in Williamsburg—UPDATE
Jerry Fuchs, far right, in Maserati
Jerry Fuchs, a spirited and ferociously controlled drummer for !!!, The Juan MacLean, and Maserati (among other bands), died early Sunday morning after falling five stories down an elevator shaft at a party in Williamsburg. According to the New York Post, he tried to jump a few feet down to the fifth floor of a loft building at 338 Berry St. after the freight elevator he was on overshot its stop; his clothing got caught, swinging him back into the shaft and then downward.
The party was a benefit for a sustainable fashion enterprise called The Uniform Project. There's a moving tribute to Fuchs on the website of Chunklet, an Atlanta-based rock 'zine that knew and worked with Fuchs since 1993. Incidentally, this writer knew Fuchs then too: We went to the University of Georgia together, after four years at the same high school in Marietta, Ga. We didn't know each other very well, but Fuchs was a magnanimous guy who was liked by more or less everybody from every caste—a rare feat in high school indeed.
Stay tuned for more news. For now, our condolences go out to Fuchs' family and all those who knew him and/or his formidable work on the drums. New York will miss him.
UPDATE 11/9 5:55 p.m.: Girlie Action, the publicity firm that handles the DFA label and a few bands that Fuchs was involved with, issued the followed statements from a few of his friends:
Juan MacLean, bandmate
"Jerry Fuchs was one of my best and most loyal friends. In other situations it might seem trite or misguided to mention someone's music career in light of such a tragic death, but the truth is that music was an integral part of our relationship. Jerry was with me from the beginning of The Juan MacLean. The band allowed us to travel the world doing something we loved more than anything, and we constantly reminded ourselves how lucky we were, pushing each other to appreciate the life we were living when things got tough.
It is not hyperbole to say that Jerry was the absolute best at what he did. He was a legendary drummer. Other drummers revered him and fans were astounded by his playing. He was always the best part of any band of his which he was a member. And in light of all that, he was relentlessly humble to the point of self-deprecation. He exuded qualities that are are rare in the circles he travelled. He was disarmingly sincere and valued honesty above all else.
I have never played with anyone as great as Jerry. I would be hard pressed to name a more supportive and loyal friend. I hope his family finds some bit of solace in the fact that Jerry touched the lives of so many all across the world, as evidenced by the outpouring of support and condolences come flooding in."
Jonathan Galkin, DFA label manager
"Today was a really bad day, Jerry, and I could have used one of those big sweaty hugs you gave after a show, when you were genuinely excited and surprised to see me. “Galkin, what the fuck are YOU doing here?!,” you would exclaim, as if I didn’t ever attend the live shows from bands on my own label. You were truly one of a kind, and whether you knew it or not, people wanted to be in the same room as you, or near the same room as you, because maybe just maybe, some of that radiant joy and in-the-moment spirit you exuded would rub off on them. You didn’t take it all with you, because there are a lot of people today who are going to feel mighty responsible to carry and spread that joy with them for the rest of the time they have here. And who knows now how long that might be. You were a really good drummer, some might say the best we had, but you were a greater friend. I love you and miss you, Jerry."
Brian Long, from Yes Know Management
"Jerry cast an incredible glow on every situation he entered into. It was an honor to work with him. His drumming skills were truly a gift which he used to connect with many people. This is what musicians are put on earth to do. Jerry embodied this to the fullest. He will be missed but remembered with a smile and a laugh."
