Beloved Bass Player & Producer George Reiff Diagnosed w/ Stage 4 Cancer
A pillar of the Austin music scene is in a fight for his life, and the public is being asked to help out if they can. Long-time and well-known bass player, producer, engineer, and guitarist George Reiff has been diagnosed with stage 4 Cancer in his brain, liver, adrenal gland and right lung. He was scheduled to have surgery Thursday (7-28) or Friday to have a tumor removed from his brain.
Joe Walsh, Ringo Starr, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Bruce Robison, Charlie Robison, The Dixie Chicks, The Court Yard Hounds, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Band of Heathens, Lincoln Durham, Jason James, and Charlie Sexton is just a smattering of the names that George Reiff has worked with over the years as the go-to bass player in Austin, TX.
At the age of 12, George Reiff was living in New York City and asked his mother for a guitar like the one Paul McCartney plays. Little did George know at the time that Paul played a bass guitar, but he fell in love with the instrument and after moving to Texas at the age of 16, playing bass became his life long pursuit.
Along with touring as a bass player and his studio work, George Reiff also owns The Finishing School—an analog/digital recording studio where Ray Wylie Hubbard, Shinyribs, Lincoln Durham and others have done work. Reiff is also admired around Austin as a pastry chef, and along with working in the business in the past, has been utilized as a food consultant for numerous restaurants in Austin.
A Go Fund Me account has been set up for fans who wish to contribute to George Reiff’s mounting medical expenses, and the Austin music community is rallying to help George in his time of need.
“A good friend of DCX has been diagnosed w/ cancer & needs our help!” —Dixie Chicks
“If you can, please help my good friend and Court Yard Hounds band mate. It’s a sad day,” —Emily Robison Strayer
“PLZ consider donating to help pay George Reiff’s medical expenses. He’s a good friend, and amazing musician.” — Nakia
“Please help George and join me by Donating now.” — Robyn Ludwick
“My friend, I love so dearly, needs our help. He would hate this campaign, but we gotta do it. Spread it, folks.” — Kelly Mickwee
“Our dear friend, badass bass man, and all round beautiful soul, George Reiff, needs our help!” — Carson McHone
“We are devastated by this news. George Reiff has been a staple in Austin music for decades and he needs our help.” — Saxon Pub
July 29, 2016 @ 7:14 am
Very sad news. I know his name from his work with Ray Wylie Hubbard. I believe he’s the producer of Chelle Rose’s new album, which comes out next week.