Former Coral Reefer Harry Dailey Dies

Post by **phjim** » April 25, 2003 6:35 am

From the Washington Post:
Harry M. Dailey, 51, a bass guitarist who played and sang with Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band and was a co-author of the Buffett hit "Volcano," died of an apparent heart attack April 18 at his home in Falls Church. He had suffered over the years with illnesses that included the Epstein-Barr viral ailment.

Mr. Dailey worked with Buffett from 1975 to 1982. He contributed to Buffett recordings that included "Havana Daydreamin'," "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes," "Son of a Son of a Sailor," "You Had To Be There," "Volcano," "Coconut Telegraph" and "Somewhere Over China." He last recorded with Buffett at a Coral Reefer reunion concert two years ago.

The band was originally a fictitious group Buffett would refer to onstage when he worked solo. He formed a touring group in the mid-1970s that included Mr. Dailey.

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Burny Charles · Post by **Burny Charles** » April 25, 2003 10:01 am

Sail on Harry

Come To The Moon · Post by **Come To The Moon** » April 25, 2003 10:30 am

Sail on Harry!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » April 25, 2003 2:14 pm

Thank you so much, phjim. Having this community to keep in touch with Buffett stuff is really a godsend. Sometimes I learn good stuff - like the time a couple of months ago when someone had posted the tracklist from Meet Me In Margaritaville and I saw the wonderful words "School Boy Heart". As the co-writer of that song, you can imagine how much fun that was as I had absolutely no expectation of having a song on a greatest hits compilation. Sometimes I learn of distinctly less happy things. Harry was on the band when I came on board as drummer in 1980-81. His supportive attitude toward the "new kid" was tremendously helpful to me. You have only to listen to the early records to know what a talented musician he was, although they hardly reveal the breadth of his gift. His contribution to the Buffett sound in those formative years was inestimable. Also, Harry was the only guy who could remember the words to all of Jimmy's songs. Jimmy would often turn to Harry during a show for a cue as to the next line. He was and remains a sweet kid and a kind-hearted man and a bit of a leprechaun (a mischievous elf). I join in the chorus: Sail on, Harry.

backbeat · Post by **backbeat** » April 25, 2003 2:16 pm

That last one was from me. Forgot to log in.

changingchannels · Post by **changingchannels** » April 25, 2003 4:12 pm

SAIL ON HARRY! Thanks for some great music!

Post by **SMLCHNG** » April 25, 2003 4:22 pm

Thank you Back Beat for sharing your memories... Rest In Peace, Harry!

veja du · Post by **veja du** » April 25, 2003 9:20 pm

I met Harry at ParrotStock two years ago when he was reunited with a lot of his former band members (I think this is the reunion the newspaper was actually talking about...Buffett was not there). I always liked Harry when he played with Jimmy and it was such a thrill to actually spend some time talking to him. He was a really sweet guy. He will definitely be missed.

Fragile Magic · Post by **Fragile Magic** » April 26, 2003 6:26 am

Sail on Harry...I also met him at Parrotstock 2 yrs. ago...very down to earth and sweet. We will miss you ...

PHat Matt · Post by **PHat Matt** » April 26, 2003 9:46 pm

I am very sad about this loss.
SAIL ON HARRY

quietlymakingnoise · Post by **quietlymakingnoise** » April 27, 2003 1:00 am

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quietlymakingnoise · Post by **quietlymakingnoise** » April 27, 2003 1:10 am

Does Jimmy Buffett have a knack for teaming up with extremely talented guitar players with wild, red hair? I think so!

The first time I ever went to a Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band show was in May of '75 at The Back Door at San Diego State. I paid my $3.00 and filed into that very intimate venue with about 200 others and we sat on the floor. I had picked up my first Buffett album about a week before after hearing Come Monday on the local country radio station. Little did I know that that first show would be a life changing experience. Here was a singer that actually interacted with the crowd and made the show a real party.

Up on that same stage was a Muppet like ~ think Animal with a bass instead of drums ~ bass player that had it going on. His name was Harry Dailey. They sang, played, goofed off (I can still see Roger Bartlett gliding across the stage in that Carmen Miranda hat) and we all had a blast. I often listen to the early albums ~ yes, I still have vinyl ~ just to experience Harry's bass runs.

It was a sad day when I heard of his passing last Saturday. It's a hard reality to imagine that us old "war babies" have to think about our own mortality this soon. At 51, his passing came too soon. I can still see him up there with his wonderful mane of red hair, red beard and mustache. That radiant smile and his tongue up and running along the edge of his mustache picking that bass like nothing I had ever heard before. What a great memory! I'm so glad I have the early stuff to remind me of this extraordinary talent that I had the extreme pleasure of sitting across the footlights from.

Play on Harry ~ you will be missed!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » April 28, 2003 12:02 pm

Harry Daily was a wonderful man, not to mention an acomplished musician. I had the opportunity to sit next to Harry at a show at The Nissan Pavilion a few years back. The stories that he took the time to share, will last in my memory for the rest of my life. "Twenty four hours maybe sixty good years it's really not that long a stay". In Harry Daily's case it was much to soon. We'll miss you Harry, but I'll assure you, that we will never forget the "soul pumpkin" from Falls Chuch Virginia. Sail on sailor.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » April 28, 2003 12:38 pm

Fair winds and smooth seas Harry! You will be missed. I was fortunate enough to meet Harry over 20 years ago at a Manatee fundraiser concert in Miami at the Gussman Cultural Center. A friend knew Harry and said she could get us into the show to take some photos and get a chance to say hello to him. Sure enough, she got us in (after some fast talking) and after the show we were fortunate enough to go backstage and meet the band. Harry took the time to talk with us and introduce us to everyone and I will always be thankful and as you can see, 20 years later it still means a lot.

sailingagain · Post by **sailingagain** » April 28, 2003 12:47 pm

PHINS UP, HARRY!!!!

TheSecretsInTheCrust · Post by **TheSecretsInTheCrust** » April 28, 2003 1:21 pm

I'm sure that saturday night in Vegas...Lovely Cruise was meant for Harry....Sail On Harry and thank you for so many great hours of entertainment.

coachboggs · Post by **coachboggs** » November 7, 2004 11:40 pm

Greetings all! I Live across the street for the Dailey"s. Harry was a great neighbor. I have looked after his parents before Harry moved home, and continue to do so today. This past September 20, 2004, Harry's Father passed away. At the service all expressed how he died of a broken heart after losing Harry. Their only child. Now Mary Dailey is alone. Her sister from Fla. is staying with her but both are getting up in age and its kinda of hard for them. Mary has a generous heart and has run up some debt to gypsy scam artists. She now has a guardian looking after here finances. Here is the problem. She cannot afford to stay in the house and afford a part time visiting nurse. We are having a Yard Sale the 13th of November to raise some money for her. The guardian plans to relocate Mary to assisted living in January. All proceeds go to Mary Dailey. Many in the community have donated items and cash. I just wanted to let everyone know that this wonderful woman who rasised a great musician is going through a tough time. Those of you that live in the Falls Church area should try and stop by and say Hi to Mary and maybe help her out. I will not post the address, I will provide the info only to phone numbers with local area codes that are sent via e-mail. Please drop me a line if your are intrested. Any others wishing to help can e-mail me as well. Thank you.

Matt

Beachbum_29 · Post by **Beachbum_29** » November 8, 2004 12:53 am

Sail On Harry!!!

Prthd119 · Post by **Prthd119** » November 8, 2004 5:52 am

Sail on Harry....

Backbeat? Thank you so much for the memories...

BuffettNews.com

Former Coral Reefer Harry Dailey Dies

Former Coral Reefer Harry Dailey Dies

The soul pumpkin...

Harry's Father Passes Away, Harry's Mother May Have To Move.