Bob: Many years ago my brother Glenn Tufto and Stan had become good friends. Glenn often brought friends to the Beach Ball to hear Stan plan and sing along. Stan also played at Glenn's second wedding. Several years later my brother was killed in a car accident while on vacation in Minnesota. He was in the process of going through divorce again and I had to get permission from his soon to be second X wife to go back and pick up my brother. His wife knew that he had always said that he wanted to be cremated and she made me promise that I would bring his body back instead. I called Glenn's best friend Neil Baker and his first wife Janet and both said that they were going with me to Minnesota. I had him cremated and we got on a plane to take him back to California. Somehow we got drunk on the return flight and after getting off the plane in LA we went to Glenn's house in Redondo Beach. I called my parents and told them that we were going to spend the night at Glenn's place and then I would bring him to them the following day. Neil, Janet and I then took Glenn out on one last trip to some of his favorite bars. The Beach Ball was out final destination. I had met Stan several times and he was playing this night. I walked up to Stan with Glenn's ashes in hand. I told Stan about Glenn getting killed and what we were doing. I asked him to place Glenn's ashes on top of Stan's speakers and for Stan to sing a few of Glenn's favorite songs. Stan did not say anything to the audience about what was taking place other than - 'This goes out to my friend Glenn Tufto." As Stan was singing, I bought everyone in the bar a shot of tequila. that was over 120 shots. As you may remember the tradition at the Beach Ball was to drink your shot and then throw your empty glass up into the left hand corner of the stage. Stan did about five songs and then ended with "Up Against the Wall You Red Neck Mother" that was one of my brother's favorite all time songs. At the end of that song, Stan raised his glass and said "to my friend Glenn" and over 120 shot glasses went flying into the corner. The 3 of us went up and thanked Stan and then we went outside and sat in the sand with my brother one last time. I could never thank Stan enough for what he did. I have told this story numerous times and I had just repeated it to some friends again when I received this from Neil Baker explaining your letter about "I've lost a good friend". I am so very sorry to hear of Stan's passing. Please know that he is not forgotten and that Stan and Glenn are up there singing "And it's up against the wall you red neck mother." Thank you for writing and posting what you did. Sincerely, Gary Tufto
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