(Tony Suarez offers photos and memories of another San Diego stalwart gone too soon.)
We lost another good guy recently in San Diego. Stephen Griggs passed away on May 17, 2011.
Steve didn’t play in a band. He was the guy that got all of us to go see the bands, and got people up front and dancing. If it weren’t for guys like Steve, most of us playing music would not have had an audience. He was a ringleader, and got people together to go to shows. His involvement with the Secret Society Scooter club led to many shows at Club Zu, Rock Palace and most of the New Sounds of the 6ts, and many of the early SD scooter rallies (I got Dogged, the rallies to Bad Manners, the Who show, et al.).
I hope these photos attest to his far-reaching love and friendship … not only in the mod and scooter communities, but to his love of Little League (he was an umpire for many years) and the the SD rockabilly scene through most of the late ’90s. I look at his Facebook, and Steve had more friends than most bands and celebrities!
The outpouring of grief and memories posted on his page since his passing was just amazing to see. The stories are all unique, yet they share a common thread: Everyone has a Steve story of their own. He knew everyone.
If you are local, they are having a service on Wednesday, June 8, 4:30pm – 8:00pm:
Celebration of Life for Steve Griggs
Location: El Cajon National Little League Field, 1495 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA 92021-3414.
Come celebrate the life of Steve Griggs. (Since the field is on school grounds, there is no alcohol allowed.)
There is a benefit at the Belly Up Tavern Sunday, May 29, to help offset funeral costs for the family. Many of Steve’s friends have offered to play:
Fundraiser/Raffle for the family of Steve Griggs
The Belly Up Tavern
143 South Cedros Ave.
Solana Beach, Calif. 92075
Cash’d Out, Lexington Field, and DJ Gonzo will play. We will be having a raffle with all proceeds going to Steve’s family. We are still looking for awesome raffle prizes!
— Tony Suarez
It has been years since Steve and I really hung out, but I knew him quite well as young MODS in San Diego. I also had the good fortune of seeing him at our Che Reunion and chatted up with him on Facebook a couple of times. It has become very clear to me just how vital both the Blog and social networking have become in our lives. Over the last several years we all have reconnected with many special people who we once thought were lost to us. And aren’t we fortunate to have reconnected with or become friends with people like Steve as adults? As sad as it is he is no longer here, how sweet it is that he graced our lives in the first place.
Of course, with Steve’s loss comes unpleasant feelings; such as anger, despair, sadness and confusion. These desperate emotions are very human reactions which can easily overtake us; and lead us to behave in strange and even destructive ways. If you are like me, you might be dumbfounded with Steve’s passing (having just dealt with two other great losses within the Che Underground ranks this past week). It makes one worry…”who is next”? What the hell is going on here? Can I get through this?
The answer is…Yes, you and we can get through this difficult time! Death is as much part of life as babies and the beautiful things are; and this we must face. That is why we must love one another and look out for each other. During this challenging and emotional time, it is important to be especially vigilant in this way. Dealing with the losses of our family & our friends, TOGETHER (with love and support) will surely bring us strength.
I wish I could be with you all in San Diego this week. I crave the Che’ Underground Crews’ camaraderie-the love and support of friends that go back to adolescence and young adulthood.We all had good times with Steve and as young Mods & punks! I wish I could be at The Belly Up to support his family, and to toast Steve’s spirit with music & drink. I might even dance a Ska jam or two! I wish I could attend the memorials and mourn with the rest of you. I wish I had the opportunity to share this rite for both Steve and the others we have lost. It is a very healthy & healing process.
So, I encourage those of you who are lucky enough to be in close proximity to these events; to please attend them. Put a flower down and raise prayer for Steve Griggs; one for you, and one for me please. And if you wish to do so; please grant a silent remembrance to Todd Tomarrow & Xina Lui Lewis. Imagine the faces of your Che Underground family who are with you in Spirit. I know it sounds kooky, but if you do this, it will help the love build around you. I am certain that Griggsy and the other Che Expats (RIP) will feel the love grow around them, too!!
Life lesson from Steve an company: Life is short. Enjoy all that you have, and share what you’ve got. Let go of bad feelings, and hold on to the good ones. You indeed were a good man, Steve. You will be missed.
—--from FB—-
My heartfelt respect and a sad adieu for one of the coolest Mods to ever con anyone. 😉 Blaze a “trail of glory” for the rest of us, Griggsy, with your Golden Scooter in the sky! Much love and comfort to your family and inner circle of friends; during this time of loss & sorrow.
Much Love,
Kristi
I just came across this via watching a Youtube video on the SSSC. I met Steve trying to get into the Three O’Clock show at the Rock Palace, where he was bouncing and I lied about my birthdate to get in. Steve had seen me at the all-ages mod shows at Club Zu, and subtly/mockingly acknowledged he caught me in the lie, but let me into the show. Fast forward a few moths later, and I run into Steve where he was a manager at a formal tux rental shop in Carlsbad/Oceanside. Fast forward to me accidentally ending up at a Secret Society club meeting where an acquaintance of mine who was formally invited to pledge also invited me along. Steve being the great guy that he was, welcomed me with a big smile. Who doesn’t remember that great smile? He later was the person who gave me my club nickname, Screen face”. If you were at the SSSC 3rd anniversary party, you would know why.
I haven’t seen Steve in decades, and yet hearing about his death makes me sad. People like him are rare, and if you got to meet him or know him, you know what I mean.
I have nothing left to say. Be good to one another.