December 26,1952 – March 4, 2010
Rick Greiner, also known under the stage name of Rick Lawton, and affectionately nicknamed Ramblini, Ramblin’ or just Ram for short, has left his mark in his music, art and photography.
Rick touched so many people in so many different ways. He is sadly missed by everyone who knew him.
This guestbook serves to collect memories from Rick’s friends, family, and acquaintances. For more on Rick’s life, see the Bio page.
Rest in Peace, Rick. We won’t forget you.
I remember fondly our late night chats in Rick Lee’s chat room, years ago.
We had so much fun in those days. Ram and his friends made me feel welcome every time.
It all started back when I was member of what used to be called the JLSC Forum.
Ram happened to come by using the nickname Big Sly.
He helped me set up a neat chat room for the members of that forum.
He used to email me to let me know when he had a new midi song or some new photos for his photo gallery.
It seems like yesterday. Still waiting for Ram to show up in chat, late as usual….
May the Lord rest his soul.
I first met Rick ( he always wanted me and others to just call him Ramblin’ or Ram ) not long after I arrived in Nashville . He posessed so much talent, and myself and others were very fortunate to know him and share the stage with him . I have never known anyone else with such a magical ear for music . Always the openminded one musically, he helped me keep my mind open to so many possibilities in my writing, and in “live” performances . He also became one of my closest and dearest friends . He also brought levity to the stage and gave 100 percent to the music with his talent and foresight . The members of “Rick Lee and Due West ” will miss him terribly . He is and will be a large part of our lives . Most of all, I miss my friend . From time to time , I remember the talks we used to have , things he would encourage me on , his friendship i will miss and always treasure .
Rambln’ and I were band mates in the band “Rick Lee and Due West”. I remember Rambln’ as a great guitar player and well as a humble, decent, gentleman and friend. His artistic flair showed in his music, photography, and his unique out-look on life. I have a feeling that he is jamming with Jimi, Stevie, Les Paul and George on the great gig in the sky—just save room for me when it’s my time–I’ll bring the beer!!!!
Friends of Ronda and Mark Greiner.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Ramblin” personally, but feel that through a mutual friendship with Rick Lee, that I really missed out on knowing a truly talented and wonderful person. Rick Lee and I were bandmates for ten years before he ventured to Tennessee and eventually met Ramblin”. Through listening to the “Due West” recordings and Rick’s stories of the times with Ramblin’ and “Due West” , I became a Ramblin” fan. Those of you who knew him will miss him greatly…I will always feel I missed out! May he rest in peace.
Ramblin’ will live in my hearts forever, one of the finest guitar players, songwriter, arranger, composer, and songsmith that I had ever met. For years Ramblin’ taught me a lot about music and a lot about life. A great friend, and awesome player. Rick started the Guitar Closet in the back of my computer store on Nashville’s legendary Music Row, and he took care of every customer and made them feel important. An honest and trustworthy person, and genuine in all my dealings with every aspect of life, his lyrics were about reality, hopes, and dreams.
I remember numerous jam sessions which led to his position as lead guitar player for Rick Powers and The World from 84-90, he shined like a diamond. In the studio, Ramblin gave it his all, and on stage, he made the guitar whisper, talk, and scream. Once we sat on the floor of the Guitar Closet and played in E so long, that we filled up a 45 minute cassette with variations on E.
Ramblin’ has a legacy that will long be remembered by those of us who knew him best. He was generally in good spirits, sometimes inwardly thinking, other times, he listened to us and all our petty problems.
I remember when we first met, he had a camper and a beautiful German Shepard, he had been all around the country, and the stories we shared were some of the best times that I have ever had. I will always respect him for being true to himself, his art, and his friends.
Many people did not know how deep Ram’s talents were. He learned web design and many of his sites were exceptional, and they are still ranking high. Ram never gave up on a challenge, he sat down and figured it out, then figure out how to make it better, easier, or more artistic.
The funniest night we jammed, he played a “flute” setting on his newly acquired midi guitar, and the notes he played would have been impossible to play on a real flute, it really cracked me up, and the more I smiled and laughed, the crazier the notes he played!
A true friend is rare these days, but most of all, Ramblin was super loyal to his friends, when I moved to Michigan, he came to visit. When I moved to Florida, he came to visit there too.
Ramblin, I could write a novel about all the great times we shared, and I know for a fact that I will see you again, my brother and close friend.
YOU ARE SORELY MISSED!
ps. I will never forget how many people smiled when they heard you play the guitar!
Rick, we miss you. Our trips to Carlsbad will never be the same. There will be an informal gathering in Carlsbad to celebrate Rick’s life in the next few weeks.
Rest in peace my little brother.
Rick, I will never forget the sweet sounds you made out of the guitar. Enjoy this new adventure.
Rick,
You were always a good friend to me, someone who I could count on. Everyone who knew you knew of your love for music. You were an extremely talanted musician, and a wonderful song writer. I remember you putting up with me playing with that old prophet keyboard you had on consignment there on the row. It was all I could do to get it to make noises… lol. Make room for us Rick. We’ll be listening for those sweet sounding guitar licks to guide the way.
I miss you Rick. So very much.
I knew Rick in the mid 70s in Escondido, CA. He, I and George Duli played together and Rick and I were roommates for awhile. He left us too soon.
It was July 1977 when my brother Lee Saldivar and myself were in the middle of recording a single with producer Chris desmond and we were in need of a great lead guitarist, our drummer then was Rick Baker who happened to know George Duli who happened to know of a guitarist Rick Lawton and history was in the making instantly Lee and I became good friends of Rick and George we had alot of great fun together and Rick did guitar work on both sides of the sigle record then. It easn’t untill the above reuion that i saw Rick again and it was so awesome to play music with him again and also sit and talk with him the whole nite on my driveway in Encinitas, He had parked his motorhome on my driveway so he had a place to hangout whenever he wanted. What a great blessing it was to know Rick he was a very special friend, musician and he taught my youngest daughter how to play guitar before he left us. so even she remembers him always….. R.I.P and lots of love to you Rick I am so glad all my kids and wife got to know you as I did, my Brother and I really miss you so much……
Thanks for the work on this site guys, it’s a cool way to keep Rick’s memory alive, and I’m sure he appreciates it. Most of us didn’t get to spend a lot of time with him the last many years, he was elusive. We were fortunate enough to have jammed with him (George, Rudy, Lee, and Randy) in 07′, and had some fun, truly expecting him to be around to work with again, but it wasn’t to be. Rick was a great musician and a fine but sensitive guy, and while we never got to do another project together, the anticipation of it over the years lead to a profound sense of loss to many, and he’s sorely missed.
Thanks Rick, for your expertise as a great guitarist (among other talents), and for being such a great human being – and friend.
Lee
Happy Birthday, Rick
I ran across this song last night, made me think of Rick and I wanted to post the words.
One More Day, by Diamon Rio
Last night I had a crazy dream
A wish was granted just for me
It could be for anything
I didnt ask for money
Or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished, for one more day with you
Chorus
One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I’d be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you
RIP Rick. We miss you.
RIP Rick. We miss you.
I’m sad to have stumbled onto this site tonight. Rick and I lost touch, maybe five or six years ago. Tonight I was thinking about him and determined to find him and instead found this site… If anyone can tell me anything about the end of his life I would appreciate it.
Rick and I were close friends for years. I met him when I was 17 and he was living in his camper on Music Row. I left Nashville in 1990, but would always see him when I was in town and we managed to stay in semi-touch with each other until recently. The last time he wrote to me, he told me he was having some health problems.
He was a good man–sincere, caring and decent. He was funny and very talented. He was my friend. I’m sorry to hear that he is gone. I feel like someone just turned out a lamp on the other side of the room–
I’m thinking of and remembering my friend tonight, as i often do . Remembering Ramblin’ on his birthday . I miss my friend . To know you and share the stage with you was a blessing .