Now When I Think Back on You, Walfredo

On April 1st of this year I received one of those devastating phone calls out of the blue that our dear friend Adam Berger was suddenly gone. Adam and I had been friends for about 14 years after meeting in San Francisco bonding over a shared love of live music, particularly Phish. Everyone in our crew seems to have a unique story about how they met Adam - online trading Phish shows on eTree or buying one of his Divided Sky/North Face t-shirts in the lot before a show. The classic Berger story told by our mutual friend Tony describes them meeting outside of the Last Day Saloon in SF, his VW Jetta packed with all his belongings after relocating from Chicago to SF. He didn't even stop to unpack his car, he went straight to a show.

Not only did Adam enjoy seeing live shows he played guitar and could captivate a room

with his singing and playing. He led many a late night sing-along covering Phish, Dead, Ween and many other classics. The Juicy Fruit theme song and Wham's 'Faith' were personal favorites of mine.

He eventually formed the band 'Flakjak' with other friends from San Francisco where they gigged at Irelands 32, Broadway Studios and the legendary Franklin St. moving out party where they played until about 3 AM. In addition to many original songs they of course covered a lot of Phish.

Back then Adam made his living as a web developer. To channel and promote his passion for live music and Phish he used his web skills to create www.walfredo.com, a fan site where he shared photos he had taken at shows as well as links to Phish and other live music news. Because of this he eventually became known in phan circles as Walfredo.

As most phans know, Walfredo is an original song they wrote about Walfredo Reyes, Jr., the drummer for Santana among other bands they had interacted with many times over the years. What makes the song unique is that the each band member plays a different instrument than they usually play.

Although it's no longer available on his site, Adam had transcribed an interview he had with Walfredo and I distinctly remember him telling Walfredo that it was one of his favorite Phish songs because it showcased Phish's versatility as musicians and their sense of humor. (BTW: How meta is that? Walfredo talking to Walfredo about the song Walfredo.) The stars ultimately aligned on 6/27/10 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland when Phish played Walfredo with Adam in attendance. Phish has not played the song since.

As a tribute and celebration of Adam, we'd love to see the boys swap their instruments and play Walfredo in Adam's adopted hometown of San Francisco.

Listen to Walfredo from 9.30.00 - Las Vegas.