sugar

FAREWELL TO SUGAR FROM HIS BAND SPARTACUS
On the 30th of April 2007, one of the sunniest days of the year, even though the birds were singing and the skies were an ocean blue, for us, the day was full of darkness.
We have lost an amazing human being, a musician, a father of two lovely daughters and a loving husband, also, we have lost a great friend.
Sugar Hajishacalli 52 years of age, who had been fighting with cancer, died at 5.10 am on Monday morning, he has left behind him family and friends, but he also leaves behind a legacy. He was loved by the people in our community, but he was also loved by all the musicians too. No musician ever felt threatened by Sugar, and he embraced and encouraged them all. Sugar had a larger than life character, not only physically but in his persona, he left an impression on people whether they met him for five minutes or knew him for five years, once you met him, you would never forget him.
Musically he graced us with his fine Bouzouki playing of which he was an exponent especially in the field of the Greek blues, known as “Rembetika”. His repertoire of songs stretched over decades of Greek musical styles. Who could forget his amazing talent on the“Pithkiavlin”? (Greek Flute) Such a basic simple instrument, yet Sugar’s dexterity would make it sing like a bird. He could take you to the mountains of Cyprus and back without you moving a muscle. However, it was difficult not to be physically moved to dance, tap your feet or clap your hands when he started you on that voyage. We struggle to remember a gig that someone hasn’t come up to us and sometimes even begged for him to play his “Pithkiavlin”.
Sugar has graced many artists with his talent ranging from local community musicians and singers to well known international artists also. As founding member of “Spartacus” he must have married off half the community! Satisfaction guaranteed at any gig or event that he was a part of.
Always a humble man at heart and what a big heart it was in all respects, his quest for knowledge and philosophy was never ending right till the end. Always a researcher and a searcher of truth and never materialistic in any way, he sought happiness in realities and not temporary sense gratification. A lover of his family and totally devoted to them in every way, he gave them much more than any hard currency could buy.
We the members of the band “Spartacus” feel a great void in our hearts and a great void on our stage. Our stage will never be the same without Sugar, he will never be replaced. Sugar was always there for us, whenever we had a problem or felt sad, we could go to him. There was always a coffee or a tea at Sugar’s house whatever the time was. His heart and his house was open all hours, in fact, when you arrived at the door, there was often someone leaving with a great big smile on their face. If he couldn’t give you advice he would cure the pain by making you laugh. His humour was never ending and always fresh, you never tired of it. We have so many memories to prove that. Its funny, but everyone has a funny Sugar story to tell. He touched so many people in different ways.
Sugar will be greatly missed by all of us. We owe so much to him for the good times we spent together, and the sweet music he made and left behind for us. As hard as we try we can’t express our sadness in any words. We miss you Sugar, and we will always love you.
Spartacus.
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