A week ago, the most “superbad”  guy I know, went for a hike. He didn’t return. Matt Chidgey, a Conejo Valley icon, will be forever missed. His energy, love and laughter were infectious. You couldn’t NOT be drawn to him. He had more friends than anyone I know.  Tonight we pay tribute to Matt at the Canyon Club, where, every Thursday since 2006,  you could find Matt playing “Curtis” the bass player for The Spazmatics, the 80s tribute band that rocked our world.

Soon after hearing the news of Matt’s passing last Friday (the story can be found here ) friends and family began a tribute page on facebook. A look back at what a great guy Matt was through the eyes of people that knew him best.

Matt, 40,  a Thousand Oaks native (practically, a young transplant from Houston actually), stomped our grounds from grade school till  now. From Glenwood to Redwood, to Thousand Oaks High School “back in the day”. His icon status started early. If you didn’t “know” Matt, you knew of Matt. In high school (in the 80s) he drove the Suburban you couldn’t miss. Pink, with purple zebra stripes.

Matt stayed close to home for college, attending California State University Northridge, and continued his love for music with local bands Vomit and Theatre in the late 80s and 1990’s. He was also a main “character” in the tribute bands Boogie Knights, Dr. Funkenstein, and lately, The Spazmatics. His charisma was catching, and his ability to play the part of one of these characters, while continuing to be a music genius both on stage and behind the scenes as engineer were amazing.

Most of my memories of Matt come from my brother and sister, good friends of his. My brother Rick loved what a “kid at heart” Matt was. He loved inventing new games out of old board or other “classic” family games. Toss a Cross blindfolded comes to mind. Or the Operation Chidgey game, a personalized version of Operation.

So, with a heavy heart, I join my friends and family tonight to say goodbye to a great guy, who loved life, family, and friends. And who will be sorely missed for his presence, both on and off the stage.

Matt Chidgey, on 1/17/10, performing with The Spazmatics.