R.I.P. Jamie Foehner, Lemmons Booker and Trivia Host Extraordinaire

• I went to elementary school with Jamie and we played baseball on the same team for a few of those years. He was a terrible baseball player, not the best student, but man was he smart and funny. He was writing short comical satire magazines in 6th grade that were very clever, especially for his age. I remember being very impressed with them. I then knew he had a lot more going upstairs than I thought. I saw him years later in college and he was still the same person; warm, gentle and witty. RIP old friend. You were special.

• Dear Jamie: I guess it's silly to still be writing here, but your birthday was two days ago. You would be 40 now if you were still alive, and only now am I beginning to realize how prepared I was for you to go. The thought of you being 40 is so preposterous to me, with good reason. It's as if I'm thinking of a healthy person living to 400. These last two birthdays of yours, I haven't missed Dave & Buster's. I probably won't ever go there again, partly owing to the fact that you loved it so much. I don't feel dramatic about that, like I'm depriving myself of something, it's just something I don't do - like attending shows at the Muny or eating tomatoes. My sister spread some of your ashes on the stage at a Springsteen show, which was pretty awesome of her. Right after that, like, two roadies died, so I thought you had some kind of curse, which would have been just like you, but it ended there. Abbie had to remind me it was your birthday, which means that wherever you are, you're wicked pissed. I don't blame you. I think I'm ready to go through your stuff in my basement now. There's stuff in there I'm itching to get my hands on, and Maur just wants the rest of it out. I love you, and you were my BFFFE, and I'm doing much MUCH better this year. Love, Sandy P.S. Haha, some goob played Steakdaddy at a tribute show on your birthday. That'll surely send you screaming across the sky.

• Christmas has passed and I am wishing my big brother was here for so many reasons. Wishing things were different. Jamie, bless you for being such a wonderful soul. Please be our angel above. Your sister, Lizzy

• Greg, so good to see your name again and read your wonderful tribute to our friend. I was in that car with you. Music blasting. Passing cars on the right shoulder. Nothing could stop us. Sandy, thank you for being there for him, as he was for you. My only laugh tonight was reading his personal ad headline. Thank you for sharing that and pausing my sadness and shock briefly. Little Jamie, just as big Jamie stepped out and lived outside of his comfort zone, he would want you to as well. Thank you for posting what you did and if something makes you fearful or pause in the future, think about what he would want you to do, and go for it! Debbie, Lisa, Liz, Chas; Jamie was a complex and creative soul that did not fit into any mold or walk a normal path. It was impossible for any one person to know all of the layers of this sharp witted onion. Family is tough to please, especially for a restless soul. He loved you all, even though he couldn't always be with you. As for the reason that I write? I was his neighborhood buddy from age 15, 16, 17...18 who moved away after graduation. I was elated to find Jamie on Facebook just this past New Years Eve and was looking forward to visiting him on my fall visit back to St. Louis this year. I am in shock to learn the news of his passing. We had a trivia game to battle off at, dammit! Tonight I went to his Facebook page to read a bit of his wit, have a laugh and poke him - or whatever the kids do these days. When I saw the wall posts, I was speechless. Jamie and I would go to Vintage Vinyl or any one of the dozen boutique record stores weekly in the late 1980's. Driving for miles after fueling his car then our bellies on candy from a Shell card - thanks Chas! In search of a song I had never heard of. Looking for a new album that he knew everything about. His endless knowledge of music would spin circles around the clerks at these stores. We'd return to his car with a new CD (or 10) and he'd belt out the words of the songs from bands you would never remember the name of, let alone the lyrics to. Fane was talented in more ways than we will ever be able to scratch the surface of. His wit was his sword and it was sharper than anyone I have met. A collector or music, books and his own words; so full of knowledge that it was difficult for him to get it all out of his mouth, or his hand to put them to paper. He had so much to say and his body just could not keep up. In more ways than just creative it seems. His singing of Descendants (All for you new kids!), Sex Pistols, Clash, Midnight Oil and of course Elvis Costello rings in my head, and he will not be forgotten. It was wonderful to read all of the tributes and stories from his friends here. I know that he cherished you and will not be forgotten by us all. He will be missed by those who he touched, even briefly.

• Jamie was such a great guy. My sister started to take me to Lemmon�s when I first turned 21 and I never stopped going. Jamie was one of the first to make me feel welcomed. Later I ended up moving up the street and went there for Monday Movie Nights and was at a lost of words when I found out the news. This world will definitely miss one of the kindest persons I have ever met. God Bless and RIP Jamie you were one of the truly great persons in my life.

• I am Jamie's 2nd cousin and was at the memorial today for the family. Jamie has touched so many lives and we are all better off for knowing him. Sandy I am glad Jamie had as great a friend as you. Good friends are hard to find, but great friends are almost impossible to find. The family all know how you stuck by him and all appreciate it. His dad, mother, and aunt are all having a very difficult time with his untimely passing, but he is no longer in pain and suffering. He is looking down on all of us and smiling. I am sorry I was out of pocket for so long from the family, but I am a lot closer now. We can all stay in touch better now. Life is just too short for us not to stay in touch with each other. Anything can happen to anyone of us at any given moment and then we all have to look back and say I should have stayed in touch better. Well, then we are just too late. Jamie enriched all our lives from the day he was born. He was such a beautiful baby and grew into a very intelligent young man. His grandparents would have been thrilled by his achievements and he enriched their lives greatly everyday they lived. He was loved by all and we will all have fond memories of him from infant to adulthood. RIP Jamie and take care of all the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Keep them laughing!!! We all love you and you will forever be in our hearts and thoughts. LOVE YOU cousin Sharon Family we need to stay in touch better from now on.

• I am Jamie Foehner's Dad's cousin. Jamie was a loved part of our family. I was absent from the family for over 10 years, but remember when Jamie was the fun loving child and very loved member of our entire family. Even as a child Jamie had lots of health problems, but they didn't keep him down for long. He was almost always smiling and joking around. His Dad, Mother Judy, his twin sisters, Aunt Debbie and all the other members of his family and extended families will miss him greatly. I am sorry that I wasn't around more, but I lived out of state and just wasn't able to come to Missouri very often. When I did go in the early years we always stayed at my Aunt Ruth's (Jamies Grandma) and everyone usually stayed up all night the first night or two just to get caught up. My family and I even drove through a snow storm once just to spend Thanksgiving with the family. Those were the days. Since that time most of our family has pasted and now we don't seem to have the time for those that are still here. That is something I really do regret. I am glad to see how many people have responded to Jamie's passing and it has helped the family with our loss and we all hope and pray that Sandy can keep it together as well as she did today. I know I didn't get to talk to Sandy today, but I did know who you were and I know that Jamie was blessed to have a friend like you. He really was special. Both of Jamies parents are having a tough time with the loss of their son, but just know that he is not suffering any longer and he is now with his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and they are all watching out for him as they all loved him very much. RIP Jamie we all loved you even if we didn't get to tell you or see you very often. Debbie, you did all you could and went above and beyond. I know you loved him as not just your nephew, but like a son also. He knew you adored him, but he is still alive in all our memories, and the pictures of him and all the smiles will be with you all forever and a day. My love to all of you. Family, please let's all try to stay in touch better.

• @Little Jamie: a tiny fifteen-year-old commenter is exactly who we want here. thank you for sharing such vibrant, sweet observations. @Denny: i can't believe i forgot how much Jamie loved Kirsty Maccoll. i'm pretty sure he and i had a conversation or two about her. at least. and something else i want to say... On March 3, i got an email from Denny, containing a list of Lemmons' march shows. he started the email with, "Jamie is currently under the weather and asked me to email a link for our March calendar to you," and closed it with, "He just called me and told me to email our information for March, so there it is." i realize now that he was in the hospital, but was still thinking about what he had booked and wanted to make sure i knew what the club had coming up. if that's not dedication, i don't know what is. in hindsight, it makes me smile but also makes me tear up -- that when he had so many other pressing concerns in terms of health, he still wanted to make sure the RFT listed Lemmons' stuff. all week i've been talking to people and trying to put together just three columns of text about him for the paper next week. and i apologize in advance that it's not going to be nearly as thorough, comprehensive or moving as this blog entry. but i guess it's pretty obvious that you need a lot of space to really capture who he was.

• In the entire time I knew Jamie, he did not own a CD that didn't skip, unless he'd just come out of Euclid Records and popped it in my CD player.

• I went down to my basement today, and dug out Jamie's Blood and Chocolate CD. It's 23 years old. (Hey Eric, I guess Steve Albini was not quite right about the Rich Man's 8 Track Tape) I got in my car, and got on the highway, and played it from beginning to end. Every place it skipped, made me smile.

• I am Jamie's aunt Debbie. I know a lot of you have heard him speak of me. I want to thank everyone who has responded here. It is so wonderful to see how much he was loved. I loved him dearly and wanted to do more and more for him all the time. I guess I didn't think his death could happen, since he had rallied so many times in and out of the hospital. I miss you so much Jamie and wish you were here to see these wonderful sentiments. It was so good to hear from Tommy Dew and Becky Kraft. I too wish we all had stayed in touch better. Thanks (for the thousandth time) Sandy for your sentiments. I am so glad your family took Jamie into your wings. I was often unhappy that he didn't want to spend holidays with me and my family, but I am so glad your family had such fun together.

• I've had a few days to let it soak in. I've had a few hundred drinks trying to deal with it. It was lucky that I ended up at Lemmon's working with Jamie. I've never met anyone that knew so much about so many things. I was always a huge fan of the Pogues and he gave me a double album of Kirsty MacColl. There were several occassions in the Lemmon's kitchen when we would find ourselves singing along to the same songs on my iPod. Sometimes that would lead into a long discussion about how great Dexy's Midnight Runners actually were despite their lack of radio play. I've never met anyone who loved steak as much I do. Countless hours were spent talking about the best cuts of meat. I always meant to buy a Saratoga ribeye from Straub's for him, but I didn't have the time when he got back from the hospital. Everything he did and thought of was geared toward promoting Lemmon's. I miss the conversations and brainstorming we would have on a daily basis about how to make the bar a better place. From the movies to the trivia topics to the bands we booked, he was involved in everything. I didn't know anyone worked at Lemmon's aside from Jamie, Abbie, and Sandy before I was hired there. It would not be the place it is today without them. I'm torn, but glad that I was there in Jamie's final moments. He was in the place he loved and surrounded by people that loved him when he passed and I think that was for the best. I just wish I could've had more than a high-five with him the last time that I saw him before that Monday. Jamie gave all he had to Lemmon's, and for that I am grateful. It will be nothing short of impossible to fill the void that he left at that bar. I love him for everything he did and everything he was. Luckily he introduced me Gaslight Anthem before he left. I will miss you Jamie and I wish I could've bought that steak for you.

• Little Jamie....thank you so much for your memorial! I cried reading your imput but I understand...Jamie was your Uncle! Thank you...Becky Buckner Kraft

• I know you all probably don't want a tiny fifteen year old commenting here, but I have to. Jamie was such a great guy. For those of you who didn't know him well, you missed out. Like Sandy, he was super smart. The two were a giant ball of Awesomeness (that's right, awesomeness) together, and were incredibly funny. I always looked forward to hanging with Big J, no matter what. He was definitely apart of the insanely drama-filled Olive family, and I was so glad he was. When I was younger, and Jamie was a new face to me, I'd frequently ask my mom if he�d be joining us on Christmas, Easter, St. Patty's day, etc. But after about 6 months, I learned asking wasn't necessary. Jamie was now apart of the family, and there was no doubt he'd be sitting next to Sandy on the seat close to the window at Grandma's table. Jamie was my uncle. Of course not literally, but he might as well have been. I saw Jamie more often than most of my blood-related uncles, and I loved it. I know this phrase is overrated, but Jamie was a giant teddy bear. He was so caring, and I loved him so much. I have to admit, Sandy and Jamie were two toddlers, fighting constantly, but it was quite the show to watch. I loved sitting for about 20 minutes, just watching them bicker back and forth. It was so entertaining, and it's something I'm honestly going to miss. I understand it's probably strange for a fifteen year old to say she's friends with a thirty-nine year old, but it was true. He was my friend, and he never failed to make me laugh. I'm so thankful I was able to spend all of Sunday with him (the day before he passed), that is something I will never take for granted. Ever. Jamie was a wonderful friend, Trivia wiz, uncle, and so much more. He will be greatly missed, right along with his constant "zingers". Thank you for coming into Sandy's life, Jamie, and being such a great friend to her. Thank you for being apart of my life, as well, and changing it forever. We love you.

• Lemmon's just isn't the same. I'm sure there are other "funny, fat guys" but none will ever come close to Jamie.

• I have been reading this blog since I talked to Jamie's dad earlier this week. I am Jamie's Aunt on his mothers side...originally from Louisiana and now living in Alabama. Jamie was my only blood nephew and I loved him very much. He was a large part of my life from the day he was born til he moved out of state. I wish I would of kept in contact with Jamie but I threw myself in my own parenting. At that time, I focused on raising my own children, Jamie's cousins, 4 boys and 1 girl....all within 6 years of one another. I too, have regrets that I didn't send a postcard, letter or make that phone call. He was never forgotten as I thought about him often. This past year, I learned to google and look for people. I found both Charlie and Jamie on Classmates and Facebook....if only Mr. Dell, Mr. Google and Computers were available earlier, things may of been different. Reading this memorial blog has really enlightened me on Jamies life, his friends and his personality. Thank you all so much for sharing your thoughts and love for Jamie. Sandy, you are a special person....thank you for being Jamie's best friend!

• Sandy, that was fantastic. "I'll Be Your Funny Fat Guy". Classic. Probably shaking in his boots, but he went right ahead and did it anyway, and what a payoff. Thank you, thank you for that.

• Oh, Sandy you hit the nail on the head.

• Jamie was my best friend. In fact, in his words, we were "BFFFE - Best Friends For-Fuckin'-Evah!" He was completely unembarrassed about how silly we were together. He unflinchingly called me "San-San," and he begrudgingly accepted when Abbie and I called him "Foeh-Foeh." He came into my life at a time when I desperately needed him, though I didn�t know it. I was crashingly depressed and as a result had done a good job of alienating all my friends; the only people left in my life were my family, and they were only around because they couldn�t get away from me. It�s so strange to me now that I�d answered Jamie�s ad on a personals site, back when those sorts of things were free. His headline was �I�ll Be Your Funny Fat Guy,� and that kind of honesty just cracked me up. We met, and it was immediately apparent that his picture was at least ten years old; we�d talked on the phone, but in person, his being nervous, I guess, his speech was well past incomprehensible and into gibberish. I don�t know what made me keep talking to him. Everyone knows that when you do online dating, you click with some people, you don�t with others. There are a lot of first phone calls, first meetings, that never go past that. But Jamie stuck around, and that was OK by me � I needed a friend, and if he didn�t need me at the time, he came to, when so much of what he loved was slowly taken from him by his failing health. Somewhere along the way, my family became his family. We were never in the habit of picking up strays, because most people can�t handle our caustic sense of humor. Jamie thrived on it, though, and begged for more. He was shameless in his appeals to spend holidays with my family, though at first, I shut him down. Jamie was the phrase �You�re too much!� brought to life, and sometimes, I needed a break. Eventually, though, it was a given that he�d be there, for Easter, Christmas, yes, even St. Patty�s Day. He loved it all; being crammed around my mom�s dining room table with twelve other people, hotly contested games of Trivial Pursuit (my sisters and I have done much to earn the name �The Vicious Sisters� when it comes to board games), frenzies rounds of Rob Your Neighbor. Jamie�s enthusiasm for every single thing in life was unmatched, and I think he felt like he�d hit the jackpot with a family who had the passion to trash talk over a simple dice game. He loved all my sisters� kids, but he felt a special kinship with my 15-year-old niece, Jamie. He was Big Jamie, she was Little Jamie. She�s a performer, and he desperately wanted to cultivate that in her. I think in her he saw all the potential he never reached. If you placed my life today and my life 10 years ago, before I met Jamie, side by side, you would be forced to ask if they belonged to the same person. 90% of the way I live today is because of him. Almost all my closest friends came into my life somehow through him, either directly or indirectly. I have him to thank for Krissy, Abbie, Amy, Greg, and the scores of people who have been nothing but kind and caring throughout this terrible week. I have him to thank for Trivia Night, which was all his idea. I have to thank him for the modicum of patience I finally developed by the ripe old age of 30; if you spent any time around him at all, you needed it. I can�t believe I was blindsided by his death, knowing how sick he was. He always came through, though; my sister Lisa called him �ten cats.� I miss him fiercely, and every day is like a punch in the stomach. It will get better, I know from experience, but for now, as it is for so many people whose lives he touched, it is so so hard. He was hilarious, frustrating, sweet, maddening, thoughtful, thoughtless, too much, too little, my biggest supporter, my biggest detractor, and above all, a giant pain in the ass in the way people only are when they feel they can 100% trust you. Jamie was my best friend.

• I met Jamie during the holiday's of 03 while sharing Christmas brunch at Maureen's with the Olive Clan and from that point on admired, envied, and enjoyed Jamie's quick wit, intelligence, and humor. I will miss him. I too was a memeber of the CID Dream Team but I mostly sat back in awe as Jamie and Sandy led the way. I wish I would have known him much longer and so much better. He was a brave and brilliant man as he faced life's challenges. My thoughts and prayers are for all who loved him, we all will miss you greatly Jamie.

• I met Jamie for the first time at Maurine's (Sandy's mom)house for Christmas brunch four years ago. I remember being entertained by his quick wit and great chuckle. I also was a part of the CID trivia night dream team with Karin, Sandy, and Jamie (I didnt answer many questions). I am proud to say that I knew him at all. He was an intelligent funny man that I enjoyed being around. I am sad that I never got to know him better. I am so happy to see that he had so many people who loved him.

• Wow. I didn't realize Jamie was a part of so many lives. Not that it should surprise me, but I thought he belonged only to our family. I am another of Sandy's sisters. The holidays sure will be strange without him. So many lives he touched in so many ways. Everyone's expressions here are overwhelming. He was a most cherised member of our highly successful CID Trivia Night "Dream Team". While Sandy owned the pencil they were positioned right together and Jamie had the last word if he wanted it. And mostly he did. Damn him with that Petticoat Junction answer! Hang in there, Sandy, I can't imagine what you must be going through. I love you.

• Everyone has just the nicest things to say about you, Jamie, but to be honest, if you were here right now, I'd kick you square in the nuts.. Love, Abbie

• I only met Jamie once, but he seemed cool. I told him I'd be back the next time with a t-shirt from my band, because we were out of his size. I never went back and now I regret it. Sorry, Jamie.

• Greg, Julie from High School just informed me you had written here-- that was a great piece, outstanding! I remember more than a few of those late night drives w/you, me and Jamie -- always an absolute blast and I still have distinct memories of particular conversations and laughs we had. get back in touch if you wanna etwotimes@gmail.com Great to see everyone comin' here and payin' tribute. Matt- the Vintage Vinyl marquee was top notch, thanks.

• I am Jamies Dad.I unlike Jamie am at a loss for words.He never was.The worse thing about getting older is the loss of loved ones-family or friends.With death the living always have regrets.Since I -moved away from St.Louis I did not see James as much as I could have-it is a major regret.We did often talk on the phone-I know he loved his life-that he loved to write -that he loved to perform-that he loved his work (lEMONS)-that he loved Sandy-that he loved his friends-that he never once complained about the pain he endured ...Thank you-Annie-Greg-Lola-Stephanie-Deanne-Paul-Tom-Vintage records-Kristen-Sheena and all the others for the kind words and thoughts-again thank you.

• Liz, I'm so glad that we have a piece of the puzzle in common, and that it rang true for you. There was a long line of vehicles that he used and abused, and used up. The little red (Olds? Sunbird?), the Mustang convertible, and the Fanemobile itself, the GMC Jimmy, and several more besides. His body was a vehicle too. Sandy, Debbie, Eric, Deanna, Stephanie, Lisa, Lisa, and Tom: Good to see your words here, thanks.

• From the comments I have read I feel that I have really missed knowing my God Son. Charlie,Jamie's Father, and I were best friends from junior high through high school and have continued our friendship over the years. We have all gone our seperate ways and just never managed to keep in touch with other family members. The first time I met Jamie he was a new born, and the second time I met Jamie was at His Grand Mother's funeral(Ruth Foehner) I loved Charlie's Mom and Dad---They sure were good to me and all of Charlie's other friends. Hi Debbie. God bless you and your family

• I do remember late night rides in Jamies truck. And if he was driving you were held hostage to his favorite CD of the day. I remember the story of how he got his personalized plates. He was making fun of somebody in high school and the principal said "how would you like it if someone called you Fane?" And he thought that sounded pretty cool so the Fane plates went on. I'll never know where Jamie got all of his energy but even at 20 I couldn't keep up with him. His rapid speech did take a practiced ear though. I first met Jamie at Meramec Community College. He was cast in a production of The Education of Skinny Spew. I think I was the assistant director or stage manager. I remember these big Bar B Que tongs as a prop. I'm rambling though. I will miss Jamie more than he will ever know. Say hello to Dot for me Jamie.

• I don't remember being formally introduced to one another but I will never forget the conversations we had over the years. Jamie and I had many conversations about music and baseball that I will surely miss. What a unselfish, caring , and knowledgable person to have had the pleasure of knowing. Knowing Jamies health condition I found it very admirable to have such a positive attitude about life and the lives of people he touched. I miss you jamie...trivia nights will be a bit sad but I know you are busy in heaven organizing a trivia night as we speak. God Bless you Jamie...we all miss and love you very much... "Neighbor Tie"

• My most memorable memory of Jamie is that he was very brave one day to let me give him a Reiki treatment...he told me the next day he felt so light that he dove for a ball out in the outfield during a softball game. I use to go watch my brother, Ray, and Jamie and the gang in BrandX...It was my pleasure and joy to share Reiki and laughs with him.

• He was an amazingly talented writer, he was clever, sarcastic and fun, had great taste in music, and was fair with all musicians.. He will be missed. Please keep everyone updated on the get together sunday.

• Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, that is one of my many memories of Jamie. I complained once to him that no one ever had written a song with my name in it, he proved me wrong. I will go home and listen to "Oh, Deanna" tonight. For Stephanie and Greg, Jamie was a "sweet little cupcake baked by the devil".

• I'll join the legions and say I'm really grateful to have known Jamie, worked with him, hung out late nights at Lemmon's. He's someone you get to know and wish you'd known him all along. I' so sorry he had to suffer in this life, and hope that he's at peace now. Looks like he had a lot of wonderful people in his life. This is good.

• Jamie was part of our family. He spent most holidays with us. He just spent his last one with the fam for St. Patrick's Day. I really can't believe that he won't be at my house on Easter. He loved to play trivia with us. The 80's edition seemed to be his favorite. We could count on his sports and music knowledge. He wanted so badly to have his old self back to play catch with my nephew- so he did anyway! He may have gotten a baseball in the face but I believe he felt free just throwing and catching- reliving his youth as we all love to do. He exchanged Christmas gifts with my mother and sister (Sandy). His foster mother and sister of sorts. He cracked my little girl up with his zaniness. All of the kind words that people have to offer- he would have loved it. I can't put in to words what his death has meant to my family. He wanted so much to be a part of it and I hope he realized that he was.

• Greg, I loved reading your memories of my brother Jamie. Sad but true, you knew him better than I did. It's funny becuase I also snuck to the condo to get away-and drove that little Mustang around the town in my teen years. By then it had lots of miles and dents but it's nice to know that we both shared the love of driving around for no reason listening to only the best of music. I am not a talented writter like you but I was touched by your memories. Thank you so much for sharing. Liz Foehner

• R.I.P. Jamie. Thanks for giving my band the chance to rock Lemmons time and again. You'll be missed.

• Jamie Foehner was my friend. I met him in 1985, when we were both 15. It's hard to say exactly what made us friends, except that we both knew that whatever most of the world had going on, it wasn't for us. We didn't fit, of course, but in very different ways. I spent most of my high school career trying to disappear, into books, into art, into computer games, but Jamie was the extroverted outcast - he wanted everyone to love him. And damned if he didn't pull it off, most of the time. Even if you hated him, you would never forget him. Most of you knew he was a sports fan, and a baseball fan above all, but you may not realize or remember that as a kid, he did very well in playground games of football and baseball, even basketball, not because of any great skill, but because he threw himself so totally into a game, consequences be damned. So what if he busted a lip, twisted an ankle. The play was the thing. A little bit of injury, self sacrifice, especially a laugh at his expense, made it better, if anything. You might not know how many fights he got into as a young teenager, but you wouldn't be surprised at how often he was in the Principal's office for some offense or other. If there was a line to be crossed, or a wisecrack to be made in a tense moment, he absolutely could not stop himself from doing it. He was one of those kids. He was not one to sit still for institutionalized anything. He always knew exactly the right moment to bust in and get the laugh, and that wicked sense of timing never left him. As far as school went, getting a pretty girl to laugh during third hour History was more important than any grade could ever be. I don't think this ever changed. So many hours spent, talking about (mostly me listening) new music, new movies new books, new ideas. He allowed himself to discover things, outside of the norm and ahead of his time, because he wasn't afraid to take a hit. That essential bravery of spirit ran though everything. Notebooks filled cover to cover with a near indecipherable mash of backslanted printing, letters close together, the act of writing itself a barely tolerated impediment to the words and ideas flowing out of him. His speech was the same way, and he caught a lot of flak for his excited, rapid fire delivery, words piled on top of each other, that sometimes took practice to understand. Every new song lyric he wrote, every bit, every story, every line, every girl, every discovered band, every mix tape, in that moment, had his total passion and commitment. So many nights spent driving aimlessly through the West county suburbs in the late 80s listening to all these bands I'd never heard of. The Cramps, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Nick Cave, They Might Be Giants, 'snowmen with protective rubber skin'? What the fuck, Foehner? Try convincing a 16 year old in 1986 that just got turned on to thrash metal, and this new band Metallica, that Blood and Chocolate is the greatest album of all time. but when Foehner was determined that you would hear something, you would, by God, be exposed to it. Blood and Chocolate was pretty well burned into my cortex by the end of high school. I still have a couple of copies of it around, one of them the very instrument of my brainwashing. As usual, he was way ahead of the curve, about so many things. If you were in the habit of taking late night drives with Jamie, you could be in for quite a ride. Many of the pivotal moments of his life, especially the life of the heart and mind, happened behind the wheel of a car. If he had a car full of cds, a tank of gas, and a credit card, he was on top of the world. I remember a late night trip down to his family's condo in Branson. Convertible top down, the smell of clean wet summer air, defiantly out of tune singing, Elvis Costello blasting, seedy arcades and gift shops on the horizon. Bliss. I knew it hurt when his eyesight deteriorated in recent years, and he could no longer drive. Cars and apartments overflowing with books, cds, notebooks, and ideas.There could never be enough music, enough lyrics, never enough language. He was the most voracious reader I knew, and had a book collection to rival his cd collection, which numbered in the thousands at various times. His love of language took him to a love of history, and the mannered speech of earlier times wound through much of his material. I wasn't around Lemmon's much, but I knew he was proud to be accepted in the St. Louis music scene, as well as the improv scene, finally at home among people who live by their creativity. He earned it, because he meant it. What he loved, he loved with his whole heart, and he was talented as hell. We all probably knew a slightly different Jamie. That's how people are. I wish I could give you some of my moments, and I could have some of yours, so we could better understand what a human being he was, a flawed and beautiful, creative, hilarious, sad and giving person. Hold on to him, remember whatever you can. I miss my friend.

• I am not sure it has sunk in that all of this has happened. We here at Lemmons are going to try and continue everything that Jamie had set to make this a great place. This is a very hard hit to many of us but through all the sadness it's hard to think of Jamie and not laugh. He was so talented with his comedy and his wit was unmatched. You could see it on trivia nights with Sandy the two were a force to be recond with. He was so excited when he started booking here again. Every time I came into work he had me listen to bands he had booked that day. He was so proud of doing a much loved job he had previously held before and we too were proud for the hard work he was doing. We miss him so much. We will be setting up a get together here most likely next Sunday. We will keep everyone informed on the face book and myspace pages.

• Thank you Jamie. For being awesome.

• Charismatic, Intelligent, Humorous, Charming, Devoted, Loving, and.....quite the smart ass....(laughing with you not at you...)- All of these come to mind when i think about Jamie... To my extended family at Lemmons my heart and love pours out to each and everyone..WE are all deeply affected and are suffering the loss with you..To Abbie and Sandy- he cherished and adored the bond you had..My love to you both. To the(my) FAITHFUL Wednesday night trivia teams...I thank you for your continual support and love for Jamie and Sandy...They were quite the duo and always kept you challenged without a doubt.... Jamie will forever be loved and missed..May he rest in peace.... Much LOVE to you Jamie. and THANK YOU for having the ability to put a smile on my face when i thought it was impossible.LOLA

• Jamie was a square dealing, good guy. I imagine he'll be missed by any band or person who ever delt with him.

• I wish I could have gotten to know him better than the few long conversations I had with him on a couple of slow nights at Lemmons waiting for bands to show up. But I did get to know him well enough to know he really was a intellegent, witty, engaging, freindly, generous dude. I'm really gonna miss him.

• Jaime was wickedly smart and also wickedly funny - a true talent. More importantly, he was a kind and generous friend whom I will miss dearly. Miss Betty and I wish you well, brother. My heart's broken and it won't be easy, but I'll try to remember you with laughter, my friend. The world is a sadder place without you in it.

• He's the only guy I ever met who loved the band Game Theory more than I did so we gave him a suitable marquee at Vintage Vinyl... FRIEND OF THE FAMILY JAMIE FOEHNER RIP

• Wow, St. Louis lost a good one here. Jamie couldn't have been a nicer guy. He always treated me and my bands with kindness and fairness, and that's something you don't forget. I didn't know him that well on a personal level, but he always had a friendly word and a nice chat any time I came in, playing that night or not. RIP, kind sir, you'll be missed.

• I will miss you jamie....had lots of fun working with you and haveing lots of laughs...R.I.P.

• I am Jamie's aunt. I will miss you dearly. Rest in peace, for you have earned the time. You have been so brave with your health issues. You were a marvelous writer and jokster. I know I will miss those too often. I still have your first screenplay script written during your college years. I love you.

• Wednesday night @ Lemmons. Were drinking to Jamie. Come join us. We hope you're there, Sandy. Most of us only knew him well enough to know that he was worth knowing better. But we knew him enough to mourn his passing. My teammate said it best "The world lost one seriously funny dude, and one I wish I had made an effort to know better before it was too late."

• Jamie was my oldest of 6 brothers. We come from a huge mixed marriage family. To be very honest- because of this we were not very close. But I can tell you that he was a great man with a big heart. I remember when I was 10 years old he was about 18yrs-he used to let me sort through all of his thousands of tapes and cd's. He was in love with sound and every type of entertainment. I remember listening to my first Price and Elvis Costello songs in his room as a child. He was a loved man. Sandy, please also contact me if you would like. Liz Foehner-Boyer

• This is such a bummer. Such a nice guy and familiar face at Lemmon's.

• Hands-down the friendliest, nicest, and easiest club booker/door guy to deal with in St. Louis. And probably the fairest when it came down to paying bands, too (all too often a rarity these days). This really sucks. St. Louis lost a great person. Rest in peace, brother.

• Jamie was a great guy and was always super good to us when we'd play at Lemmons. I regret I didn't know him better than I did.

• Jamie was always great to us, and recognized who we are even when we were not playing a gig. We will truly miss him, and will pay a tribute to him at our next Lemmons gig. Tony,Drew,Max,Josh: Summit

• He always had an "ace up his sleeve" with clever responses. He was never without a comeback joke...even when he was embarrassed about something.

• I first met Jamie in line for the Elvis Costello show in 1999 at the American and got to know him better as a Lemmons trivia regular the past few years. He was a sweet, funny and smart guy and will be missed.

• Sandy, Thank you for being such a good friend to Jamie. (I'm his little sister.) Can you email me lfoehner@gmail.com, and we can exchange numbers?

• He wrote a hilarious script or two for the Mad Art Radio Hour as well. Dude was rockin' the door since my first time goin' to Lemmons...back in the "Lemmons Basement Bar" shows days of the early '00s. Our team became estranged from their trivia almost two years ago now and I feel like I still found out about this more swiftly than some present-day regulars; a testament to the widespread love for the man and how much he will definitely be missed. Lemmons will certainly never be the same without Jamie. Peace upon his family & friends. RIP.

• I work at the dialysis clinic that Jamie came to. I would often have trouble getting my work done because he and I would talk about everything from the Cardinals to the Counting Crows. He was such a great guy. I am always sad when we lose one of our patients but losing Jamie hurts because I consider him a friend. He knew what was going on in my life and I knew the things he had going on. He will be missed.

• Jamie was one of the few other non-band members who would get as excited about music as me. The effort and thoughtfulness he put into everything was always apparent. If kindness isn't your thing, it was worth it to listen for his snide comments.

• Went to high school w/Jamie - he was a blast. He had this thing he did, usually to the already uncomfortable and "clique-y" cheerleaders, where he would stare at them from across the room like a "maniac". We'd laugh for days about that. It was great to get re-acquainted when I discovered he worked at Lemmons. I'll miss his dry wit and endlessly charming personality- for sure. I regret never getting to see any of his Improv, this dude loved Elvis Costello to no end as well. You'll be missed my brother.

• This is truly a shame...Jamie was always such a nice guy...he gave us our very first show, as I'm sure he did for many bands out there..he always seemed genuinely interested in the bands he booked regardless of genre, experience, or skill, and made us feel welcome and important, if only for a night...he will be missed not only by those who knew him, but by all those bands who won't get a chance to book with him...RIP, kind sir.

• Annie, if you need/want any more info about Jamie, I'd be glad to furnish it. I was his best friend.

• Jaime was kind enough to book the 1st shows for two of the three bands I've been in since moving to STL. He was always really great to deal with. He will be missed.

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