Rock music promoter Paul Yeskel passed away a few days ago. I did not know Paul very well, but all of the programmers we work with always spoke highly of him. Long-time Rock programmer Ted Edwards provides us with some nice words about Paul.
I got the news about Paul on Sunday like all of you and have been sitting on this message and a chance to reply since. I tired to compose something a number of times but got so thoughtful I just couldn’t write anything that said what I really wanted to until now. Paul and I go way back, almost to the very beginning and since that time he has been a constant in my life as we had both managed to stay in this ever changing business. He had been able to persist and thrive as he possessed everything necessary to do so when so many of our friends had not or had chosen to move to other adventures. A sharp intellect, experience, attention to detail, passion, knowledge, curiosity, willingness to change as the times did with a unique ability to see where things were going and to accept them, great communication and networking skills, courage and above all friends. He had many, many friends and I think the primary reason was he was genuine. Genuine in all the right ways. Honest, sincere, caring, consistent, loyal and compassionate. I have found that genuine is a quality that is all to rare in our related fields. I have had the valued experience in my career to have lost jobs that made me of great importance to business associates and saw way to many of these “friends” disappear as soon as the job did, and then come back with great enthusiasm when the next job showed up. But not Paul. No matter where I was, what I was doing or not doing Paul was always a friend. Always took my call. Always asked how I was doing… and meant it. Always sought me out when new opportunities to work together came along. I miss him today and will, in no matter how many days are yet to come. It is times like these that remind me how fragile and wonderful life can be and how rare truly genuine people are. Paul was rare and if one’s life can be summed up by how many friends they had at their passing then Paul was a huge success in this life. I have no idea what happens once we pass from this life but whatever or wherever it is I hope I get to see Paul there and tell him what his friendship meant to me. I hope he knew that and I like to think he did. God bless the life that was Paul Yeskel. It was a privilege to have been part of it.
I have to commend Ted on his heartfelt words about Paul. I share the sense of loss of a ‘true’ friend. Paul and I began working together when I was at the PolyGram Label Group and he ran AIM Strategies. Paul’s brother, Dave, was our Director of Sales. When I got dumped from PLG, Paul made it a point to schedule a weekly lunch in New Jersey, where we both resided, just to get me out of the house and keep my spirits high.
Ted obviously knew the same person I did–warm, generous, caring. I loved the man, and send true sympathy to his wife, and of course, Dave.
We have lost a great spirit…
I spoke with Paul just a week ago. After a few minutes of our usual shop talk it was time to say goodbye, and as always, just a quick moment to inquire how the personal life and family was doing. I wish now I would have spent a little less time on shop talk and a little more time with what’s really important. Paul was a gentle soul, spirited and as mentioned above, genuine. I’m sure he know how much he means to all of us. Goodbye, dear friend.