Patrick Lamb: The Life of Legendary Linda Hornbuckle

Thursday, October 09, 2014

Patrick Lamb, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Linda Hornbuckle

Local music legend Linda Hornbuckle died Saturday, Oct. 4. The “soul diva” was beloved by many and was a big influence in the Northwest music scene and considered by many as the patron saint of gospel music. In 2010 she was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.

One of her biggest fans, and most frequent collaborators, was saxophonist Patrick Lamb. In fact, Lamb had been working on an Oct. 14 benefit concert for Linda at the Crystal Ballroom. The benefit will now be a celebration of Linda’s life and love of music.

GoLocalPDX asked Lamb if he would be willing to say a few words about his good friend and music colleague.

Here is what Patrick had to say:

Losing an artist like Linda Hornbuckle has an incalculable effect.

How can you measure inspiration? How can put a value on that which comes straight from the source? How can you calculate that which powers the spirit?

How can you define what is indefinable and that which professional songwriters try unsuccessfully every day to put into words?

It’s impossible.

What I can tell you about Linda that she worked in many musical arenas and moved between them with elegance and grace. Linda was known for encouraging our young people and helping others.

Linda Hornbuckle with Patrick Lamb (far left) backstage at Blues Fest.

I saw her perform gospel. I saw her perform blues. I got to work with her in the context of an incredible symphony with world-class arrangers Charles Floyd and Dave Metzger and had experiences that I’ll never forget.

When I first came to Portland I would go see her amazing band perform at the Candlelight Room, and she was an artist who inspired me.

Inspired me to want what it was that she had, both spiritually and musically, and to work hard at my own music. When I listened to her I got the sense that she was connected to the source, and to the good, raw stuff that I grew up listening to in Mississippi, steeped in the blues.

I loved it. I related to it. Looking back, it was so important to me to have people like Linda here early on who set a standard and who were studied practitioners of their craft. After you work at music for a little while you learn that there are no shortcuts. It’s a lot of hard work. It can't be faked. It commands respect.

You get this from years and years of practice and honing your craft. She was an inspiration.

There is so much about Linda that cannot be explained in 50, 500, or 50,000 words, but I can tell you what I know.

The city loved her. Every time she sang it moved your heart. She cared about everybody.

We will miss her greatly.

—Patrick Lamb

“More Love for Linda,” a benefit concert, will feature an all-star lineup including Quarterflash, Linda Hornbuckle Band, Patrick Lamb. Liv Warfield, Andy Stokes, LaRhonda Steele, Soul Vaccination, Norman Sylvester, Eddie Martinez, with many other guest artists. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14. Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St. Tickets are $20 and available at http://www.cascadetickets.com, at all McMenamins outlets, and at the Crystal Ballroom Box Office.