The last time Billy took a break from the forums I pm'ed him after a few months and he immediatley answered.  We then exchanged a few pm's.  So if he did that for someone he didn't know, I'd bet the farm that he would certainly answer a pm from someone he knew.

I found Billy's ability to communicate to be outstanding.  He seemed to be able to put his thoughts into words and never come across as anything but a very nice guy willing to help or express an opinion. (Even when he was ticked.)
That is a gift I wish I had.

Whether he is gone from the world or not is not yet confirmed.  But he is gone from the forums and his presence is certainly missed.

sharke

Rain


Well, it does tell us that one Billy Arnell passed away.  But are we sure it's our Billy? 

The man who collaborated w/ Loeb was in his early 20s in the mid-70s.  Meaning he'd be 50 something now. Maybe I have it all wrong, but I imagined Billy a bit younger. I don't know, I'm hesitant to say my goodbyes to our friend before we know for sure.

More like 60. I saw the guy's photo on his website and he doesn't look that old! Plus his music does not sound like that of a 60 year old guy. I wouldn't close the book on this yet, if what you say is true about the deceased man's age. 

I tend to agree (because I'm hoping against hope it ain't true) - I usually listened to Billy's music on the Songs forum, and it ranged from techno to garage to R & B ballads..that doesn't really fit the image of a 60 year old guy to me.


His last log-in was May 13th this year, and his posts from around that time were pretty upbeat, so I'm really hoping this is just a long break.

Well, I wish I had better news for you guys. If the address that Scott Lee posted (260 W72nd st) is of the Billy Arnell in question, he passed away 4 weeks ago. There was no doorman but I spoke to the super through the intercom. From where did this address come from?

Ouch. Thanks for taking the detour Sharke.

Scott provided that address - I guess it was linked to one of the phone numbers he had for Billy.


EDIT - really I have no clue, I'm just bumping this thread, hoping someone will chime in w/ more info.

This is terrible news. I won't pretend Billy and I got on especially well, as you all know we didn't, so I wouldn't want to be dishonest about it. But I'm saddened to hear he might no longer be with us, and I know he was very helpful and generous within this community, indeed far more so than I. We may have clashed a lot, but I respect that he had, or hopefully still has, a good heart and a sharp mind. I would be overjoyed to see him re-appear, I can certainly say that.

I'd really love Billy to see this thread and come out with one of his punchlines just now.

He is sorely missed already.

On that Note: Cheers and here's to You ! sipp ...

Someone do something nice with his avatar.
I'm too lame.

I will miss Billy and think of him every time I drop Pro-Q into an fx bin. 

You see, out of the blue one day Billy went and bought me a copy of Pro-Q - just so I would agree with him that it was the bestest ever. I do, and it is. 

Once I had Pro-Q I could then get a discount on Pro-C. Later on, a few other forum friends let me send them the FF invite so I could afford Pro-L. 

And that's why I have the Fabfilter trilogy today. It all started with Billy and an unexpected act of generosity. I will remember Billy every time I EQ a track.

Awwww...  I've been following this thread hoping that Billy would pop in with a Mark Twain-ish quote and let us know he's OK. Sounds like that's not going to happen, so I'll raise a glass to Billy tonight.....  He'll be missed.