Gordon “Gungi” Paterson, a highly respected and well-liked FOH engineer for acts as diverse as Judas Priest and Tears for Fears, died Monday, Sept. 28 after a three-year battle with lymphoma. As per his wishes, there will be no memorial service in Seattle, where Gungi, his wife Bridget, and their children made their home.
In early August, a number of Gungi’s friends, touring cohorts and members of the extended FOH/PAS family put together a video memorial as it was clear then that his time was getting short. According to Raymond Amico, who spearheaded the friendsofgungi.com Web site, “He and Bridget felt that they went through all of this over the past couple of months — the whole summer has been a wake / remembrance where Gungi was able to take phone calls, emails, postings, etc., and we were all able to celebrate his life with him. Instead of a singular memorial, Gungi will be cremated and his ashes will be spread over St. Andrews in Scotland — his wishes were to be back in his beloved Scotland, where his family is from.”
Several members of the touring brotherhood took the time to put down a few words about their friend.
“His larger-than-life presence will be missed by all who know him, and we wish his family the best.” —Dave Shadoan, Sound Image
“I’m having a real hard time putting words to what he meant, not just to me but the impact he had on all of us. He was a true consummate gentleman and the true definition of a brother… I thank the audio Gods for having him for the time we did, and he left an indelible mark on us all.” —Mical “Mikey” Caterina
“The industry has lost a true legend. I had the pleasure of working with Gungi many times in the past years, even as early as Deep Purple in 1987. He will be greatly missed. God bless you, Gungi. —Paul H. Owen, Thunder Audio
"I met Gungi many years ago, and I had always fondly thought of him as an originator of mixing techniques, some of which I still employ today. The world of live sound was a little in the dark ages in those days and Gungi was a founding member in the fight to make it what we enjoy today. Total respect. God bless, my old friend. Rest in peace." —“Big” Mick Hughes
But perhaps the most apropos sentiment for a time like this came from Gungi himself, and his words were posted on the friendsofgungi.com site:
“No fear. No pity. Only courage and strength.”
