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It was reported on Facebook on just on Tuesday by Tim’s brother Tucker that Tim was headed for the ICU. This morning, South Pasadena is mourning a local giant.
The family has confirmed that it was not COVID-19.
Quotes from social media below speak volumes about the devastating loss of Tim Fleming.
Our staff here at the South Pasadenan send our deepest condolences for Tim’s family. We are all shaken, and feel the profound loss of a true local friend & talent.
Quotes from social media:
Cathy Cunha Fleming: “It is with great sadness that Dana Fleming and I, along with Tim’s brother and sisters, Tucker Fleming, Tory Fleming and Tracy Leppold, announce the passing of Tim Fleming this morning at 1:45 a.m. Contrary to published reports, and Tim’s initial fears, he did not have COVID-19. This was confirmed this morning by his doctors. We thank each of you for all your love, support and prayers. ❤️“
Eldon Horst “Tim was a quiet man. Once you knew him, you also knew you had a friend for life. Unspeakably sad. ❤️”
Stan DeWitt “Tim Fleming was a very sweet man and a brilliant pedal steel guitarist. I only got to play with him a couple times, but I learned a ton from watching him. Rest In Peace, Tim. Our tight music community is grieving hard today. Be kind, everyone.”
Jeff Kossack “RIP, Tim Fleming , whose talents loom so large in my work (a consummate pedal steel player) and everyone else’s on our LA songwriter scene…. The nicest guy…
Fare the well, brother… So quickly, soooo sad…”
Sharon Hannah “My dear friend, Tim Fleming, was just taken way too quickly by COVID [later reported not COVID]. He posted yesterday that he “had it, it’s NOT the flu and pure Hell.” I texted him asking if there was anything I could do and he replied, “All good. Thanks!” with a smiley face. (I’m told everyone was calling him and he had to turn his ringer off to get some rest.) He checked himself into ICU last night and now he’s gone. He was a mean steel guitar player and so beloved in our sweet music community with plenty of friends and loved ones beyond us.
I have a million pictures of pictures of Tim, mostly on stage with Brad Colerick, but the only one I could find with me in it was taken by our friend, Cynthia. Besides being a great musician, he was so fun to hang out with. He’d let me vent about mostly minor woes and then he’d make me laugh. When I’d host “guac-offs” he’d always beat me getting top prize. He’d even make guacamole for my events he couldn’t attend, dropping off his award winning grub before splitting. Last time I saw him we were all hanging out before Wine & Song on March 11th when social distancing hadn’t yet been mandated. We were all careful not to hug, but bumping elbows was still okay as far as we knew.
His brother was posting updates and I had decided not to check until morning. I woke up at about 1:30, couldn’t go back to sleep and decided to peek. I’m crushed to see the devastating news. I’m still awake going through all my photos over the years… here are just a few to pay tribute to an incredible human being. We’ll miss you, Timbo, as I like to tease him. When we get back to “normal”, things will never be the same.
RIP, dear brother. I’m sure you’ll be playing music somewhere in the sky.”
Dean Bäcklund “It is with profound grief that I announce the passing of a good friend of mine; Tim Fleming. Tim died this morning of the Coronavirus.
Tim was one of the best friends I ever made throughout my 17 years at Southern Wine & Spirits. He was witty, funny, warm, welcoming, and just an overall great, talented guy.
Tim was many things, but moreover he was an incredible musician. He played many instruments very well, including guitar & pedal steel, but it was as a bass guitarist that he shone brightest. Professionally, he toured with singer songwriter Laura Branigan during her most successful tours. I had the pleasure of playing with Tim on several occasions, including at a Southern Wine & Spirits General Sales Meeting, in front of the entire company. Tim left Southern a few years ago, and lately he had been doing what he loved; touring with various singer songwriters, laying down phenomenal pedal steel & bass guitar lines.
It was only two days ago that Tim posted the following to Facebook:
“I’ve GOT IT. And guess what? You DON’T want it. THIS IS A F*****G NIGHTMARE, FOLKS. It’s not just a flu. TRUST me.”
Yesterday he was placed in the ICU… and now, less than one day later, he’s gone.
PLEASE, FOLKS: take this pandemic seriously. Tim was perfectly well four days ago. And now he’s gone. Please STAY THE F—K HOME!!!
All our deepest condolences to the Fleming family from the Backlund family.
RIP Tim 🎸❤️😢🎸❤️😢🎸❤️😢🎸❤️😢”
Tim’s facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/tflemingo
I first met Tim when I was 18 in 1969 when he lived in Covina Ca.Tim was about 2 years? younger then me. We had a cookin little Blues/Rock band called “Despair” that played many local gigs for a few years. Tim played Bass his brother Tuck played drums with me and my brother playing guitar. Even at that early age Tim already had that high musical IQ with an amazing sense of rhythm and near perfect pitch. We had a lot of good times playing music, listening to records or just hanging out. We lived just 2 streets away from one another. It was a special time for all of us and we became very good friends. I will cherish those days forever.
My best to the whole Fleming family.
Chris Clem, Yucca Valley Ca.