Glen Gerini Obituary

My first and only guitar teacher. RIP Glen.

Glen, my first guitar teacher ever. You were patient & you knew how to get through to me every step of the way. You made me an incredible guitar player & it´s all thanks to you. Never a day goes by when I think about guitar & can not thank you. You will always be my friend & mentor

I recently got a hold of a “Triple G” ( Glen Gerini Group) recording from the late 1980s, which my good friend played drums on. If anyone reading this would be able to upload a CD to YouTube, where all Glen’s friends and students could access it, please contact me at;
[email protected]. Thanks!

R.I.P. Glen... You were the best! I can never thank you enough for the knowledge you passed on to me. I heard of your passing that day and I was stunned... I am still stunned... THAT'S how much you meant to us... Tell Jimi I said hello... Later, my friend....

I didn't know Glen personally, but I wish I had. I was helping my Uncle Chuck since 2017 who was having issues with Alzheimer's and found some CD's from a "friend". Unfortunately, I didn't listen to them until after my uncle passed away in Feb. 2021. Wow, the music was incredible. I am a novice guitar player and even I knew the guitar player on the CD was a genius. I did some research and found Glen had rented a store from my uncle who owned and managed Carl's Pizza for some 40 yrs. According to some of the employees, Uncle Chuck and Glen were close friends since the early 80's. The envelopes that the 4 CD's were mailed in were hand penned by Glen. I have volumes 3-6 of Glen Gerini Music For Guitar and hope to find the other volumes someday. When I found this memorial for Glen and read all the wonderful entries, I felt a connection like I too lost a friend. My condolences to all Glen's family and friends. Chris Basa ([email protected])

Miss you Glen. Everytime I drive by your old studio space I think of you. You were one of my first inspirations in music and in life. I wish I would have continued taking lessons just for that half hour of bliss every week that takes you away from all the stress and struggle in the world and in life. Without you, I dont know what path I would have taken. I might not have been interested in music in highschool, where I gained another music teacher who influenced me a lot, and now we are best friends. I would have never went to college to pursue music education, where I took my musicianship and passion to the next level, and made friends for life. You were the start of a major chapter for me, and I am forever grateful. Thank you for everything, I miss the good times. Rock on up there!

I was going to pick up a lesson book ( the orange spiral binding) one today. I met Glen 10 years ago. I was an older student of his. 3 years older. Godspeed Glen. Talking to you and playing with you was a lot of fun. It was therapy for me. I'm at loss for words.

I'm currently only 14. I had Glen as my instructor for only 4 years. Looking back, I wish I had gotten to know this man more than I did. He taught me so much and for some reason I'm only now really truly missing him. I'll never forget you...

I am so saddened to hear of Glen's passing. I was just looking him up to pay him a visit.
I first met him at Judy's Music in Ford City mall in 1976. I was a young teenager that took a guitar off the rack and could barely put 2 chords together. Glen walked up and showed me how to hold the guitar and showed me a couple of chords. From that moment I started taking lessons from him. Glen had to go on vacation one week and John Curulewski from Styx filled in for him at Judy's music. I am proud to say I took lessons from 2 Chicago Guitar Legends. From there I followed him to his first store on Marquette road then to 63rd and Pulaski where he recorded a couple of songs for me in his studio and played the solo on one of them. From there to his Archer Ave. Store. Glen was such an inspiration I bought a Travis Bean guitar in 1977.
He was a wonderful teacher, I will miss him forever and am so sorry I didn't try to contact him sooner.

I just found out about Glen's passing. This breaks my heart. What an amazing musician and a great, patient teacher. I will miss you forever.

I started taking lessons from Glen when I was 17. His studio was on 67th & Pulaski. We stayed in touch. Over the years I kept going back for more lessons. In 2008, me, Glen and Bob S took a road trip out West. Lots of laughs. Lots of beers. Lots of cigars. I'm grateful he taught me how to play. I've made so many friends through the guitar. God Speed Glen. Thanks for being an important part of my life.

Glen was a genius. I knew him well back in early 1980's as I designed his lesson books and cassette "album" covers. Glen could play, big time. I remember seeing him play with Zazu (a 3 piece power rock band) the bass player was Randy Curlee (of SD Curlee guitars). Glenn was gentle, very easy to talk to and had a great view of life. He is missed, many of us wish they went back to old neighborhood to say hello, knowing 30 years could go by and he'd give you that grin and say "wow, where you been?".

I just found out about Glen passing from a flier for his memorial. I'm devastated and heartbroken. I live a few minutes from the Archer studio and I was wondering why he wasn't there anymore. I figured he moved to another location. But this is just terrible.
He was my instructor, my friend, my cigar buddy, and at times my realationship therapist. There was nothing that Glen and I never talked about. I would go in to see him even if I wasn't there for lessons, just to visit. I have all his cd's and I love them. He was my mentor and such a dear friend. I will miss him so much.
Glen, I love you. You were a great friend and the greatest guitar teacher I could have ever had. I am so glad and honored to have known you and call you my friend. You taught me so, so much.
Rest in peace dear friend.

Thank you Glen , I saw you when you were in Cicil Rhodes when I was home on leave from the service. I later took lessons from you and you taught me so much , you were a wonderful teacher and friend

"Wish you were here..."

Glen......performing "Hotel California"......2002

He was great friend and teacher he will be miss Joe Navarro

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Sad to hear the news today !! Glen was my teacher back in the early 90s and he opened my world to guitar playing like no other. Glen was a genius guitar player. Was planning on going back to see him and start up on lesson to take my guitar playing to other level. Glen youll be missed but not forgotten!!!

Me. Gerini was my great teacher in 2012 when I was a self-taught rhythm guitar player playing punk songs but wanted to learn how to solo too. I'll never forget stumbling through the major scale as Glen played the rhythm and after kinda playing something resembling a solo, he exclaimed "Goodnight Chicago!!!!" With the biggest smile on his face and made me feel like a hundred bucks. Thank you for everything Glen. Wish I had another jam session with ya!

Glen

Thank you for everything that you have taught me over my few years under your teaching. It made me the guitarist I am today. I will never forget you and everything you have done to make me a better guitarist. I will never stop playing. Rest In Peace, Glen.

Glen
Thank you for all you did for me. You were a great teacher nd mentor with the guitar and so much more. I will miss the lessons and your friendship

Jp

Glen you were the best. You will always be in my heart. REST IN PEACE MY GOOD GOOD FRIEND.
Xxoo. Stacy Lee and Josey Wells

Rest in peace Glen, you were a south side icon and I'm privileged to have been your student. You made guitar very interesting to learn and I'll never forget your Zappa poster on the back of your studio door. You had a great sense of humor and an incredible musical gift to share. You will be missed by many my friend.

My brother Dave and I along with Glen and Mike Boskey played in what was our first band when we were very young. I remember the impact that Glen had on both me and my brother. We looked up to Glen and Mike as role models. Mike was a well known basketball player for Marist High School at the time and Glen was all about healthy eating and working out.

We will never forget those evenings in Glens basement working on new songs and basically learning to play our instruments.

Over the years I have lost track of both Glen and Mike as I married and started my working career, but the memories of those days will never be lost.

Thanks for the memories and the music. My sympathies and condolences to the family and his many students.

We are beyond sad. My son started taking lessons with Glen just about 5 months ago and I cant explain how much he has touched my son. My husband took lessons with Glen many years ago and we couldnt have thought of a better teacher for my son. His patience, attention and welcoming heart opened up a whole new world for my son. because of him, my son is learning to appreciate great music. My most deepest condolences for his family and friends. My son will keep learning and playing in his honor. Thank you Mr. Glen we are so incredibly blessed to have met you! We will miss you!

My friendship with Glen dates back to 1967 when we came together to form a band as aspiring rock stars, later to be called, Cecil Rhodes. While we never reached that status, we enjoyed a wonderful friendship and had many good times in making music together and traveling our great country. Our lives may have diverged towards different pathways after the band broke up, though our time together will always be etched forever in my memory. It is a wonderful thing in how you touched so many people with your music and the giving back you have done with the talents God gave you and which you worked so hard in your life to develop to your fullest. Rest easy my friend and know that you now are playing the best gig there is now on the greatest stage, forever.

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Glen. May time soften your pain until all that remain is your wonderful memories you've shared and the comfort of God Psalms 119:76.
GD

Dear Glen, I thank God for placing you in my Life. You have truly enriched my life and you will always be on my mind and in my heart. I started Guitar lessons with Glen about a year ago. I called him today to try and reschedule my lesson for this coming Wednesday. I am stunned with sadness and tears when I heard the new voicemail. I just talked to Glen a couple of weeks ago to reschedule do to being sick. I wish I would have gone so I could have seen one more time. He was a sweetheart of a Guy and the Best Guitar Teacher ever. We had some wonderful conversations. I shared my original music with Glen and we would play along to it. I am still working out the parts he taught me. I pray he is playing for Jesus in Heaven with the Beautiful Gift he was blessed with. I will truly miss you Glen. Love You Brother.

Rest in peace Mr. Gerini. He had an amazing talent he started teaching my 5 year old son who made an instant connection, he will continue to play in your honor Mr. Gerin, we miss you!

On Thanksgiving Day I received word that Glen Gerini had passed away. I think that I am his longest running student. I would spend every other Thursday at 8:00 P.M. (most of the time) with Glen. Glen was more than my bass/guitar teacher for 35 years (on and off) he was also my friend. He was my best man at my wedding, he signed the marriage license as a witness. When my father died my mother gave him a pocket watch that my father used every day, Glen hung it up in the studio with 'In Memory of'. Glen at times was the only person to encourage me and it wasn't followed by a qualifier Yea, but', like so many compliments come with. Over the years my parents and then later my wife would sit in on my lessons as Glen would exhibit a level of patience with me not shown by anyone else. I had gone through several guitar teachers before finding him, it was somewhere around 10, I think. Over the years Glen did his best to teach me how to best use that 12 note puzzle known as music. Nothing made me happier then when I play a song correctly and he would have a big smile on his face and say, You got it Rick!!!!' It was the approval I would try so hard to receive, most of the time I would get it right around 80% to 90% on the first run through. He would correct me on what I got wrong and say Keep on trying it will happen.' At this point I don't want to be taught music by another teacher, I will be happy going through life with what knowledge he has given me. I thank him for the effort he made. He was like Family to me and my wife. We will miss spending every other Thursday night with him.

You can't play any slower than you do right now.' Glen Gerini

Rest In Peace My Friend.
Jodie and Rick

Please accept my condolences for the loss of your loved one. May God comfort you and give you peace during this time of grief,

Please accept my condolences for the loss of your loved one. May God comfort you and give you peace during this time of grief,

Thank You Glen, for sharing your music with us. And for loving Your gift of Music so much that it was a Joy for you to share it with Us. You've been a huge influence to so many, and I'm Blessed and Humbled to have known and learned with you. Peaceful Rest.

Please accept my Condolences for your loss of Mr Gerini, may these words bring comfort for the whole family knowing that God will swallow up death forever. Yes, God promise to wipe away the tears of sadness from our eyes by getting rid of death forever. Tina Los ANGELES

When I first showed interest in guitar my family refused to let me play unless I took lessons and so we came to Glen around 2008-2009 at his studio on 63rd. He had the coolest selection of guitar picks a new beginner could ever ask for and as I grew older came to appreciate everything he had to offer. I truly regret not continuing to take lessons from him but he definately impacted the way I play guitar and my "style". He was a very patient and humous man and will be missed by the entire South Side guitar community. Thanks for teaching half of Chicago how to play guitar Glen! Rest in Peace.

Rest In Peace!

Sorry to hear of your passing. Will pray for you. The band won't be getting back together
ever again, but I know you are smiling big time being with your family again! Debbie

I took lessons from Glen throughout high school and would even go back to him in my early 20's when I felt my playing getting stagnant. He was put on this earth to teach guitar. He was fluent in all styles - rock, jazz, blues, country, classical- you name it and he could play it. I'll never forget when he was teaching me to create harmony lines and put on the Allman Brothers "Revival" as an example. I've been a huge Allmans fan ever since that day. I'd frequently see him jogging down Central Ave here in Oak Forest and occasionally stop and talk. I will definitely miss honking my horn and yelling his name as I drove past him. Hopefully he'll get a chance to play with Duane, Gregg, Berry & Butch now. Take care Glen, you were a great person and a huge influence on me as well as hundreds of other south side kids.

Glen was such a great teacher and interesting man. I will miss our long talks before and after my lessons. I am honored to have been in his presence during the past three years. His wealth of knowledge amazed me. Rest In Peace, my talented friend.

Very sad to hear about Glen's passing. There are not many people in life that you can call a true mentor and inspiration. He inspired many to love and understand how to play guitar. There was nothing better then when the lesson after yours was late or didn't show up, Glen would just keep on jamming and get you all fired up on some new lick or scale.... RIP

Glen was a huge influence on me growing up. Started lessons with him at 14 and stayed with him throughout high school, then on and off into my early 20's. He was put on this earth to teach guitar. He was fluent in any style- rock, blues, jazz, country, classical - you name it and he could play it. Never forget when he was teaching me to create harmony lines, he busted out the Allman Brothers "Idlewild South" record and put on "Revival" as an example. I've been a huge Allmans fan since that day. Maybe Glen will now get the opportunity to jam with Duane, Gregg, Berry & Butch. Rock on Glen, you meant a lot to so many of us south side kids.

This is so hard....its like words cant describe how I feel..... words cant do justice.......if you were a student of his you know what Im talking about.

My condolences. I took lessons from Glen in the late 70s on 67th street.

Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. May you find comfort knowing that God cares for the family. 1 Peter 5:6,7

I took lessons from Glen from around 1997-2003. Great teacher, great guy. Sad to hear this news. Rest In Peace Glen

"The Right hand is the Artist....the Left hand's fingers are the workers....."

Glen Gerini

Unfortunately for me I knew Glen for a short time took lessons from him for about a year but in that short time I realized what a wonderful, kind and caring person he was. Such a committed and compassionate teacher. I actually talk to him for most of my lesson. I have always had the Intentions to go back to continue and ironically I've had him on my mind strongly for the last week, just wanted to stop by and say hello. A regret I will live with. God Rest your soul Glen you will be missed.

Thank you for teaching my son Dominic how to play guitar. You meant the world to Dominic. We are grateful and honored to have known such an awesome and talented man. Dominic and our family are just devasted. We will miss you very much!

Former student of his. Will never forget his lessons. Playing music has brought me much joy in life and he was responsible for giving me the knowledge on how to do so. So sad to hear of his passing.

Glen was an awesome educator. He really helped me appreciate everything I learned. Nothing but love for him and the gift he was able to give so many of us.

God bless Im going to miss you RIP

The Great Glen Gerini

Condolences...to all who knew Glen....and cared about him.
I loved the guy.....and will miss him for the rest of my days....
Great teacher/musician/friend
Great Soul.......Thank God he recorded those CDs....he'll still be with us through the music he left behind.....

RIP
MASTER GLEN GERINI

In loving memory of a gentleman & scholar who knew how to play a lick on his guitar . Rest In Peace Glen & God Bless you .

Thanks for teaching my son to play guitar even though it was. A short time it meant a lot to him. Your a nice man , may u Rest In Peace .

Great teacher,wealth of musical knowledge,and a nice guy.I learned a lot and was looking forward to going back.R.I.P.

I cant begin to say how much Ive learned from Glen Gerini in my lifetime. An absolutely incredible musician and all-around great guy. God Bless You Glen!

Our families the LaRoccas and Gerinis spent many Christmas Eves together....Pete, Frank, Vince with Dan and Glen. My Christmas card to you dear one will remain here. Linda & Pete

I
Glen was an awesome person and a teacher. Always loved everything he learned and taught with them. Ill miss your lessons. Was always a very happy person

Keep jammin Glen Gerini ...ciao fratello

I'm at a loss for words I'm going to miss the lessons and jamming it still doesn't feel real,and believe me you are going to be missed much more than you thought...I hope you are in a better place because you deserved it!! ...rock on paisan ...non dimenticare mai ...ciao Nick Carvotta

Glen I will miss you more than you think great friend great mind great teacher great thinker what will I do...dave
The dude .

So sad to hear about Glen. What an awesome guitar teacher and great guy. Hope you are rockin' at the great gig in the sky. Peace brother. Jim O'Connell