The passing of Steve Knoth

 Photo courtesy of Kevin Braasch - retouched

Not the normal update though it is a sad and necessary one - On October 2nd, 2010, a core group of friends and loved ones lost a diamond - A super-cool cat who battled demons for most of his life. Steve Knoth was a warrior. This is but one of my memories.

I loved Steve, in that way that brothers do. I discovered the oddity of Knoth when I found myself beating the decks of BJHS for the first time. 7th grade can be rather terrifying but I found a coupla new friends pretty quick, Eddie King and Steve Knoth. Steve was blessed (or cursed) with a sardonic wit that fascinated me. I remember the first time I spent the night at his house, it was the stuff of pre-adolescent legend. He had this huge room (formerly his older bother's), he had HBO (wha?) he had Lennon, Morrison, The Stones, and KISS posters adorning the walls . . . Crazy for me and my sheltered upbringing. Steve's brother (Rick, the Ron Wood look-alike) was somewhere wreaking havoc and had left all of his records so it was hours of The Tubes, Stones, Syd Barrett era Floyd, Ramones, Beatles, NYC Dolls, the list goes on (and on and on). It was a seminal moment for me, a musical education, and I remember thinking, because of Rick, Steve's grown up with this treasure trove - He's miles ahead of me. We fake jammed (neither of us knew how to play), I had my VOX and Steve had his Electra, we plugged in and made horrible/beautiful noise . . . AND had a complete F'ing BALL. We were determined at that point to start our own band, which we fiddled with throughout Jr. High. I think we actually slept for maybe 2 hours that Friday/Saturday. To this day I think of that night fairly often . . . when I hear a certain song or inexplicably a picture of Steve's black-frame adorned mug appears in my head from nowhere. I had remained a friend of Steve's all the while I made Bloomington my home, through the Gallery (our favorite watering HOLE) or when I'd run into him doing a cleaning gig. We always shared an in-joke and always departed with a mutual twinkle in our eyes. Many a night over the ensuing years we stayed up till dawn sipping the nectar of the Gods and listening to our favorite music at an after hours, normally after a sweet Something Brother's show at the Gallery. Knoth was always GREAT company. Looking forward to that next jam-session in Valhalla, mon frere. I've always loved Steve, in the way that brothers do.   - TB

For those on Facebook, please visit - the Steve Knoth - In Memoriam page

Also a wonderful tribute is this passionate essay from the blog of our chum, Sharon Porter McAllister - RIP Steve - 2010  - Check it out!

Comments

[Keith Grogg]

LOL~Ed, when the hell did my pathetic rodent ass ever hit on any girl anywhere? : -)
Miss you all. Tim, you're right: After all he's given us in our lives, Steve has given us this. Which is amazing. Sharon your blog was great.

[Sharon Porter McAllister]

Ken, I will definitely take you up on that drink on Friday, and I have to say, that t-shirt story takes the cake. I'm gonna be smiling for days about that one. He was the definition of a smart-ass, but he was so masterful at it. Maybe I'm wrong, but I never saw him turn it against any of his friends. Not in a mean-spirited way. It was way more fun for him to stick it to the Man.

Keith, Ed - you've both made yourselves pretty scarce all these years, but don't think we wouldn't have memorial websites for you, too. We've all moved on, and for good reasons. But it's a powerful thing to go back and remember those times.

Ed - this is going to sound crazy, but it's really thanks to us breaking up that I got so close to Steve. Before then, it was the gang, and we were all together. After you and I split, a lot more of my time with Steve was one-on-one. He tolerated the fact that we couldn't be in the same room together, but I could tell it really cramped his style. Years later, when you and I had reconnected but you wouldn't see Steve anymore, I felt the same way. I would have liked to have had a reunion among us, but it was kind of like the Beatles. Too many strong personalities gone off in too many different directions.

That neighborhood, that world we lived in, did require an active imagination. I didn't hate it all. I had some great times along the way. I just got tired of having to defend myself to people.

I'm thrilled to see what kind of brilliant, talented and meaningful lives we've all created for ourselves since then. I'm sure life still has its ups and downs for everyone, but what we endured together is also a strong bond we share.

Tim, you know how to make a girl smile. :-) I don't recall anyone calling me "too sexy" back then, but I'll take it!

[Timbradstreet]

Aww, Porter, you have the eyes and smile that killed ;)
- Sunk a thousand ships. Warriors you didn't even know went down in battle wearing your colors. A few of them are still battling ;)

A drink for Knoth on Friday. The bottle stands in front of you all. This is a celebration of sorts. It is truly and absolutely devastating to realize that I'm never going to see that Red-headed mad genius again in the flesh. We all know how that feels. But as I mentioned, Steve has brought a lot of us back into contact, sharing memories which ARE truly a celebration of Steve's and our time on this fragile landscape. I'll take some good with the bad ANY DAY. It's comforting to know that you're all still out there somewhere, even if some of us never experienced the kind of friendships amongst each other that we had with Steve. Steve's true-blood people are rising up from our busy lives to pay tribute to a one of a kind hooligan that touched our lives. He gave us each a gift, even if it wasn't wrapped with a pretty bow.

[Sharon Porter McAllister]

Tim, tell the troops to give peace a chance! As I always tell my kids, there's enough love for everybody.

If I can rally Patra to go out Friday, we'll sing some karaoke in Steve's honor, and throw back a drink or three (which is about as many as either of us can take, anymore).

[Karen Randall]

Great to see Kenny and Ed on here, I have been thinking about you all so much!! Once again, I will bring up the fabulous Christmas caroling that I dragged you all out to do with me! How many times did I get bitchy because I was serious, and I wanted us to sound good! :) Jami remembers very fondly Kenny the time we all got kicked out of the restaurant, what was it called? for LIFE because Steve was throwing stuff down on the people below. Too much fun! I loved my little 'gang', Steve, Kenny, Ed, Jay, Brian, Marco and Keith. I miss you all. stay in touch.

[Ken Todd]

Hey Karen, the restaurant was probably in the Bergner's store. They had a little cafeteria on the second floor that over looked the mall. We would throw pennies into the fountain that used to be there.

I also remember the "caroling". I think we started at Laura Ritter's house right?

[Mike Walls]

Tim,
Thanks for posting all the extras over here. Not as many Junior High and High School stories on the Facebook page. He really never changed. One of the funniest guys I ever met. I wish I could remember all the stupid shit we did. Good to hear from Ed and Ken.

[Robert Porter]

I love all these old Steve stories, but it makes me sad and even angry that there won't be any new ones. Thinking about Steve this week has reminded me what a unique guy he was.

I remember Steve quoting Johnny Rotten from the last Sex Pistols show in Texas, "You ever get the feeling you've been cheated?"

I think we all got cheated a little by Steve's early departure.

[Ed King]

Ahh, a new social networking site; Tim Brads-STREET! Get it!? Drive swiftly as young hooligans are chucking objects at cars just for laughs!

My post follows Bob’s, coooolll!!

I stayed away from this forum for about 24 hours in hopes that I could feel somewhat more at ease. I went to Walmart, the one place in the States where nothing of social relevance can be had and “A Day in the Life” was playing in their “music” section. If you knew Steve as a teenager don’t go listen to Sgt. Peppers too damn soon!

The picture that Marnie posted is particularly poignant as I think it’s not lost on many of us that all three of those men are now deceased. At that age they were my absolute closest friends. We were the ones, John and Mark initially and Steve, that dug the HOLE, fitted the roof, added the fireplace and spent countless days down there listening to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin etc. John and Mark were not receptive to Steve’s diverse musical tastes. I am certain that that photo was taken either before or after a trip to said “HOLE.”

[Ed King]

Chapter 2

I figured that when Steve passed away it would be like all important events, and I would be somewhere overseas, completely unaware of happenings in Bloomington. In this case I happened to be here, and I’m grateful for that, but it’s difficult as well.

I stay away form social networking sites, as it’s enough to check two emails a day. Most importantly though, I travel so much that thousands of people come in and out of my life in one year’s time. I don’t want to be bothered by countless cruise ship employees and entertainers whose names I cant remember. I express sincerely that it is not the case that I would avoid talking to people who have always been important to me.

Most of you know my email address; I did post it on Facebook along with my high-school photo. (Delaney, I emailed you already.) I can find all of your email addresses on my last email from Debbie F-P. I would like to take this opportunity to say that she has done a bang up job putting those reunions together. I mean that sincerely. It’s probably a somewhat thankless job. Admittedly though, I’m pretty happy to nearly always be on a “flight form Naples and unable to attend.” I hope to speak to all of you in the very near future. I keep Elvis Presley hours, which means I never go to bed before 4:00a.m. Do not call during The Rachel Maddow. She is my new completely irrational crush! At least I am laughing!

Lets hit the phones this weekend!

god bless you all!

[Eric Gordon]

These stories are just wonderful...you can't help but read them over and over again. Steve had that kind of power over people...he was so much fun and so interesting.

I had Steve in gym class my senior year at BHS and our lockers were in the big gym for some reason. I had forgotten something and had to run back to my locker to get whatever it was that I forgotten. As I'm opening my locker I hear someone say "Hey Gordy, ya wanna toke?"...it was Steve and he was on his tippy toes on the wooden benches between the lockers smokin' a "j" and blowing the smoke out of the window he had pried open.

I had lead a very sheltered life so I said "Steve, I've never smoked before". He said "Your on the baseball team right?.....You'd better not partake, Kruger would kill me!....I've got your back if you've got mine!" I told him I wouldn't say anything to anyone and headed out...but the vision of Steve in his gym clothes smoking weed in the locker room will always be with me.

I always admired the spirit of Steve and Ed in the hallways at BJHS. When they were marching thru the hallways singing "Yellow Submarine" I would have given my right arm to join in with them.

I will raise my glass at 7 p.m. for a toast to Steve...thanks for the many smiles Steve!

Eric Gordon

[Ed King]

Great story Eric! Thanks man!

[Timbradstreet]

Thinking back to the days hanging out in Steve's bedroom at the pink house - It's been mentioned more than a few times that Knoth and company were getting stoned pre-jr high school but I cannot remember him ever trying to pass a bowl to me. It might have happened and I'm just forgetting. At that age I'd have said no thanks and Steve would have given me zero shit, cause he just wouldn't. I didn't become 'enlightened' until much later, hanging in a certain 'garage' during HIGH school years. I don't really have any recollections of Steve toking it up way back in the day. Maybe he just didn't do it around me - either being polite or hoarding the precious buds ;)

Getting high before, during or after school was a very guarded practice back then, it had to be. I'm
finding it interesting that so many more of our mates were getting high than I'd have ever thought, including people I wouldn't expect. Certainly sheds a new light on things, heheh.

As I mentioned before, hanging out with Ed and Steve was one of the highlights of my youth and there aren't too many weeks that go by when I don't think of them, or am indirectly reminded of them. Been YEARS since I've sat down with Ed, I think last time was at The Gallery in '98 or '99.
Somewhere around here I have a box full of old drawings that include sketches done of our 'fantasy' band, "Destiny", yeah, waaay melodramatic name but we were 12 years old fer chrissakes! I gotta find those and give 'em a scan, or bring them to the next reunion ;)

I despise gaps in my memory but thankfully I've got Ed to fill some of those in. Now a third of that triumvirate is missing. I've always felt that the three of us were 'destined' to connect again for a sit-down and a tripp down nostalgia alley. To me it would have been like The Beatles reuniting for a concert. Now we'll have to wait until a much later date for that particular show. My heart hurts for the people that knew Steve best, but I'm also wearing a smile because I had so much goddamn fun.

[Ed King]

Cats and kitties!

I got free tickets to see Alice Cooper last night. I showed up late, so as to miss Rob Zombie and only catch Alice Cooper, but Cooper opened. It ends up that on planet earth in 2010 Cooper opens for Zombie. Nothing against Mr. Zombie (I’m sure that’s what the kids call him), it rocked heavy, but I wanted to see Alice Cooper as it seemed Steve was leading us all there. Mike Walls asked me if I had ever seen Cooper perform. I told him “no, but if he makes it to town soon, please let me know.” WTF!! Following that I missed Ganser playing at Fat Jacks! Oh well, maybe next month.

Street, Street, Street! Nothing beats life as an adult. We set our own boundaries and make our own plans. Things get more complicated but more satisfying as well. I enjoyed the shit out of my childhood and I’m always glad to relive it conversationally, but good lord I wouldn’t want to go back for more that about 48 hours. I’d spend that time hanging at Steve’s or in the halls at BHS, unless it was locked up for the night.

Oh, wait, this is fantasy, make it 72 hours; I would play with the Who at Soldier Field, then take Tim’s private jet to the “the garage.” Where I would argue with Whityn Owen about the music business! Oh well, end of fantasy, I’m walking to Labambas.

Muertos locos forever mang!

Oh, Trefan Owen recently reminded me that you are a funny SOB. Like I thought you’d CHANGE! I love how spell check is clueless when dealing with Owen family names!!

[Timbradstreet]

No spell check on Earth can track Trefan, Whityn, or Brennen ;)

For sure, adult life is like Fantasy Island for me, it's damn sweet but I do miss the awesome people who have gone in and out of my life over the years. I relate heavily to nostalgia because I'm one of those folks who wears their emotions on the sleeve.

Even though I hadn't seen Knoth in a few moons and saw him only sporadically over the last decade we shared a bond that goes beyond all that. The same holds true for many good friends whom I see infrequently. The good kind are the ones where you know the next time you see them it will be like picking up where you left off last time. Tommy, Whityn, Joel, Ed (Bloody) King, Tref, Jimmy Phillips, Tim Daley, the list goes on ;)

I love San Diego but I DO miss my people like mad - X

[Ed King]

Ditto, Street!

If your reference point is Fantasy Island, mine must be The Love Boat!

Set a course for adventure...

I’ve cracked myself up once again!

[Rat]

Whas up dudes!
It's Rat if you don't remember me, it's ok. Hell
I don't remember myself from
those good ole days. It's
partly due to all the recreational psychedelics
we used to enjoy. I tell ya
Steve was one cynical dude.
But in a good way. He distrusted
me because I was from the "east
side" but Ed (hello Ed) persuaded Steve to indulge in
smoking with "east siders"
wasn't so bad. I enjoyed
expanding my musical listening
with the influance of Steve
and Ed. I'm glad to know he
was a Chicago sport's fan and animal lover, as I am both also.
However I find it ironic that I
now live on the "west side" (of
Normal) and I know at one time
Steve lived on the "east side"
Anyway hello to all and to Steve
see ya on the darkside of the
moon.

[Amy]

Been awhile since we lost our old friend Steve,,a kindred spirit to many who he shared a lot in common with,,I know I did. Still doesn't seem real, but really it is. How I miss the times spent and the spent times. I'm certain he and my grampa are discussing the Cubs and bantering about what this season will bring. Rest with peace my brotha from anotha motha. Love, Peace and Chicken Grease.

[Teresa Dufour Johnson]

It's almost been a year. But more so since I'd seen any of you from grade school days. I remember going to summer camp and Steve being there. Also remember him going to all the counselors and telling them that I was his wife. In 4th and 5th grade no less! So many memories come to mind. Sadly though, I was gone by 6th grade. I wonder if any of you would remember the dorky blonde girl with HUGE glasses? Name is Teresa Dufour (now Johnson). Peace to all.