Tommy’s dear friend Bob Mehr won his Grammy for the Replacements album notes and we’re thrilled for him and honored at his mention of Tommy. We love you and are terribly proud of you Bob!
Well, this was quite a moment and, honestly, a genuine surprise. But I couldn’t be happier or prouder to have a brought a Grammy – even in a roundabout way – to The Replacements for “Dead Man’s Pop.” Was especially honored to be the company of so many esteemed writers and historians, especially my friend Scott B. Bomar.
Given the short amount of time I had to accept the award, it would have been impossible to thank everyone who contributed to “Dead Man’s Pop.” Among those I didn’t get a chance to acknowledge properly but who deserve all the credit for their work back in the day are Michael Hill, the Replacements long-serving A&R man, and also Tony Berg whose music and adventures with the band at Bearsville were such a key part of this story.
We are all forever indebted to Paul Westerberg, Tommy Stinson, Chris Mars, Slim Dunlap – and also Bob Stinson, Steve Foley and Peter Jesperson – without whom none of this great music would exist. The sonic dream team behind DMP deserves much credit: Brian Kehew, Justin Perkins, Chris Bellman, and of course Matt Wallace who waited 30 years to get his shot to finish what he started, and if you listen to his mix of “Don’t Tell a Soul,” it truly is a masterpiece.
Special thanks to the people behind the scenes – especially Chrissie Dunlap (!!!), Darren Hill, John Kastner , DMP co-producer Jason Jones, Sheryl Farber, Jason Elzy, Mark Pinkus, Brian Dodd, Kent Liu, Susanne Savage, Kristin Attaway, John Srebalus, Brian Hay, Jason Reynolds, and everyone else at Rhino, past and present, Mike Joyce at Stereotype and my ever patient wife Coco Hames. Forgive me if I’ve left anyone out.
This project began as an escape for me after the loss of two of my closest friends, Tommy Keene and Ali Borghei, and it was completed just as I lost my dear Uncle Shirzad Bozorgmehr. Those three guys would’ve been happier than anyone for me. I sure hope they’re proud, wherever they are. – Bob Mehr
