R.I.P. Gary MacKenzie

Merced's music community recently lost one of its most well-regarded members, longtime bass player Gary MacKenzie.

I have never met Gary personally, but Mike Meroney, guitarist for the Atwater-based rock band Killer Jays, attended his funeral last Friday at Yosemite Church. Gary died from lung cancer. "He was one of the most gentle souls you'd ever meet in your life. Just a super-sweet guy," Meroney said.

Gary was known as the bass player for "Donnie and Wayrads" -- a Merced classic rock and blues band he played with for the past 17 years. He began playing bass at age 13, and his first band was called "The Aphids." He also played with the band "Other Hands."

Gary graduated from Atwater High in 1969 and had worked in Merced College's art/photography department for over 30 years.