Former Scene and WMMS artist Brian Chalmers — best known for drawing the rock radio station’s iconic “Buzzard” for much of its life — died suddenly last weekend. He was 54.
From former Scene editor Mark Holan: “I met Brian Chalmers (B.C., as most of his friends called him) at the first Scene Christmas party I attended (when I was delivering the mag on Thursdays) back in ’77-78. We got inebriated together and immediately bonded as kindred spirits embracing life, rock ‘n’ roll and good times. He was manic, impetuous, hilarious, creative, in short everything about the ’70s rock scene that made it so exciting. He had been schooled to be Scene‘s art director by Tom ‘Cowboy’ Schmidt, a country rock fanatic (Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson — way before alt-country) and followed Tom as Scene’s art director around 1979 (which is when I started full-time as Scene‘s assistant editor).
“Those were the golden days of Scene (in my humble opinion). We were putting new and old bands on the cover, designed by Brian. He spent a lot of extra time on those covers. He wanted them to be perfect because he put his ‘B.C.’ on them.
“The basement offices of the Scene (1314 Huron Rd.) at Playhouse Square underneath Publix Bookstore were like a bunker of rock ‘n’ roll rebellion. We were too established (having been around since 1970) to be cool for the burgeoning underground music scene but too “rock ‘n’ roll” for big advertisers. We worked well with the Belkins, the record companies and the House of LaRose (Budweiser distributors), and that was enough to survive.
“Brian used to have to fight for raises. He’d call a liar a liar, and one time he and the late Jim Girard actually had to be physically separated because Brian claimed Jim had lied to him about something. Brian had wrestled in high school (North Royalton) and loved to get physical if need be.
“One of Brian’s favorite bands was Humble Pie, and he loved Steve Marriott above all rockers. He even drew a storyboard based on the Small Faces’ rock ‘n’ roll fairy tale from Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake. One of the characters was “Happiness Stan,” and when the latter-day Pie played the old Cleveland Agora (on East 24th Street), one of Brian’s greatest joys was to present Marriott with his drawings. For Brian, it was like meeting a Beatle. There are photos (taken by Bob Ferrell) of Brian looking very proud at the meeting.
“After Brian was unceremoniously fired (for not coming back from a vacation on the appointed day), he was welcomed into the arms of the Almighty Buzzard. David Helton, the creator of the Buzzard, had always been a good friend of Brian’s, and he got him the job as his assistant, putting the Buzzard everywhere (Blossom, Nelson Ledges, Stadium, etc.) rock ‘n’ roll fans went. It was good gig for Brian, and he made a lot of friends at ’MMS. He survived while others went to the chopping block.
This article appears in Jun 17-23, 2009.
Holy crap, what a great story – particularly the wrestling bit. I know the side of Brian that Mark is referring to, but he had mellowed quite a bit by the time I worked with him!!!
So great.
John Gorman just sent me the link to this story. Fantastic job Frank. Brian will be missed by everyone
Yeah, Brian meant a lot of a lot of different people.
Funny and charming are two words that quickly are linked to his name. Self-deprecating of his talents at times, but everyone knew Brian Chalmers was a talent no matter how much humility he showed.
He’ll be missed by many for a variety of reasons.
Deeply troubled that a true innocent/fragile/powerful/intelligent soul felt no other exit was available…a phone call…all it woulda taken.
If he only knew how many held him in such high esteem.
-Mitch
Celebrate the Brian that we all knew and loved. He was one of the most creative, and one of the funniest guys EVER. I’ll miss him…Janet Macoska
Peanuts, I am so glad you put that….that was one of many things that was so great about Brian – how humble he was…his talents were his talents, but to him, it was what just what he loved doing….
I first met Brian in High School. He was a junior and I was a sophomore. Later, we reminisced about school and life at our combined 30th reunion in 2004, and re-kindled our friendship. He sent me loads of stuff that he had drawn – to post on his pages at my website. He will be missed.
-erocker
Good point Mitch…..a permanent solution to a temporary problem….but that was Brian’s choice and so be it. He was very nice to me when I arrived at WMMS in ’98. Learned a ton for which I am grateful Brian.
Slats
Brian will be so missed. I’ve known him over 35 years through my bother, and Brian’s lifelong friend, Chris Bik. Brain always, always made me smile. He never treated me as the pain in the ass little brother I probally was – ever. In ’93 he offered to be the photographer at my wedding – this last weekend me and Chris pulled out that album (why I don’t know) and both commented on what a great photographer Brian was – considering what/who he had to work with. A truly skilled artist and friend who will be dearly missed.
Brian was SO very special. Considering the magnitude of his talent, his personality was kind, thoughtful and sweet. After I left WMMS in 1994 (with the max-exodus of most of the staff) Brian so considerately made 8X10 copies of a lot of the pictures he had taken of me and numerous Rock Stars over the years since my start at the Buzzard in 1988. The package was quite heavy, and so unexpected! The note said: “Thought you might like these…” I called him and thanked him profusely to which he exclaimed “It was great having such a great subject!” I blushed and thanked him again and we hung up. I ran into him just a few times since, but it was always so good to see him, and his sweet, shy smile. He always had a kind word for everyone and he definitely made a difference in my life. My condolences to his family and his many other friends.
With love, Lisa Dillon-Amato
Brian was one of my dearest friends for over a quarter-century. He was extremely kind, generous, loyal, loving and endlessly funny! We only had one major challenge to our friendship during all that time, but because of his heart and our mutual respect, we overcame that. We have been very close for so long that I’m still in shock that he’s not here… I think I prefer to just stay in denial about his passing. I just spoke to him less than 2 weeks ago, and received an email from him only a week ago with his usual “XO/BC.” So hard to believe he was nearing the end of his short life. I loved him dearly and always will. My heart is broken, and my condolences go out to all who loved him just like I did – I know we are numerous. – Brigid Krane
Mark — you captured the “BC” so many of us knew and loved. Along with being humble, he was also generous… with his time, his toys, and his talent. He shared so much with everyone who crossed his path. His gifts were as simple as a photo he took, a record he remembered someone liked or in my case, a little yellow and orange fish squirt gun he had laying in his office and brought it down to SCENE after seeing my collection of fish memorabilia. This remembering of the little things about the people was part of his greatness.
Picturing what a BC V. JG wrestle would have looked like is letting in one of the first hearty laughs of the week. BC’s voice re-telling stories of opening Rich’s door at an inopportune time or his wicked half-grin while thinking of some other legendary moments are reasons to smile. Good memories of a good man. The SCENE family was lucky to have BC at our table. God bless, BC and to all those in your life. May you now have peace. Chris Young
BC – A very talented man with a good natured kindness that was hard to beat. With every opportunity I had to work with Brian he was pleasure, and he always had a way of making you smile. I remember watching him draw the Buzzard. He took a plain sheet of paper and turned it into a Cleveland icon before my eyes in a very short period of time. It seemed like magic. After knowing Brian for more than thirty years I can’t believe he’s gone…
Rest in Peace.
Ed Kulavick
I can’t believe this! I just found out today.
Brian and I used to have lunch together and catch up on things at Denny’s on Independence. It was his turn to buy. We had our lunches for years after we no longer worked together at WMMS. Brian and I worked together on the 2000 Buzzard Calender the was the Cover of FMQB magazine. Also, the WMMS calender won a national award for marketing. We were mentioned together in Deanna R Adams Rock N Roll and the Cleveland connection.Last time I talked to him, he was upset that his mother broke her hip. My faithful companion Bubba my 11 year old Husky mix passed away in April of 2009 and I tried to contact him then, but didn’t connect. You always want to talk to your closest friends when you lose someone close. For me that someone was my constant companion for a decade, my dog. I was pretty lost for awhile, but now this!!
I still can’t believe it! Brian was one of the nicest people I met in Cleveland. I moved for 20 years from station to station and Brian and I became fast friends in 1997 and weathered out most of the storms at WMMS until the Clear Channel storm took me first when they purchased WMMS in 1999.
I know I will have a friend up there when I get there Brian! I am not sure if I am not all the far behind you
Jim West
Former Buzzard at WMMS and about 23 other stations
Brian was one of the finest human beings I ever knew and or had the
chance to work with. Our work together at WMMS was top notch. He and I
brain stormed regarding the 2000 Buzzard Poster, and I came up with the
concept of the mean Buzzard that was TAKING the Rock N Roll Capital of
the world and wasn’t about to ask…. Brian took that idea and an award
winning Buzzard Calender was the result and it all made the cover of FM
magazine which I have framed. Brian and I had lunch on a regular basis
at the Dennys near his job at the TV station for nine years after we did
not work together anymore, just to keep in touch and catch up on things
regarding the local broadcast industry. Brian, I miss the hell out of
you, please know that I am thinking about YOU on this the 5th
anniversary of your death. Please know that I am not the only one that
misses you like crazy dude. The entire city of Cleveland misses you.
Lets do lunch soon.
I knew Brian had passed but hadn’t seen this until today. I was Steve Marriott’s tour manager from 82-85 and met Brian at our first gig at the Agora. I’d see him every time we’d play Cleveland. When Steve returned to the States for the Packet of 3 tour in 85, Brian designed the tour poster. I didn’t know him as well as many of you did but remember him as a funny, generous and talented guy.
I knew the work, but not the man. Thank you all for your beautiful messages about Brian.