Today I want to share with you my new song "All The Best", and at the same time tell you about the person I had in mind while creating it. This piece is dedicated to Kim Brown, who passed away at Terhokoti on October 11, 2011. Kim was a close and important person to me.
It’s rare to find someone with whom you can be so comfortable that neither of you needs to say a word – but that was our friendship. We made music together, but even more important was the unspoken understanding between us. Perhaps that’s why Kim was such a great support for me during a difficult time in my life.
The last Christmas time we spent together with my family and Kim in Käpylä was relaxed and fun, but I didn’t realize it would be the last. Kim taught me humility in the face of life, humor, and the importance of being present in the moment, without hurry.
Through our friendship, I also learned a lot about the system, as we fought for Kim to get a pension from Finland. No one at Kela spoke English, yet all the paperwork was in Finnish. It was a long and frustrating process, but I learned so much from it. How alone a person can feel in this country. When I went to see Kim at Meilahti Hospital shortly before he passed, the nurse said, "Well, Raivio, Kim has listed you as his next of kin." I was horrified.
Kim Brown had a profound impact on Finnish music history with his band The Renegades, which was one of the most popular bands in Finland during the 1960s. Their energetic, British beat music sound gathered a large fan base in Finland, and Kim’s influence, along with The Renegades, is still felt in Finnish music culture today. His musical legacy left a lasting impression on many generations, and it continues to do so.
Kim often wrote me text messages, especially after it became impossible for him to speak following his throat surgery. His messages always ended with: "All the best, young man" and were signed off with "The Old Fossile." These words, along with his unique sense of humor, still echo in my mind.
Kim’s friends organized his New Orleans-style funeral at Storyville. It perfectly reflected his outlook on life and his musical background. The funeral was filled with warmth, music, and a celebration of life – just as Kim would have wanted. That moment will always stay with me as a reminder of how important it is to appreciate each day.
What does it mean to let go of someone? It’s about acceptance and kindness, though at the same time it can be painful and difficult. It’s about acknowledging that our paths will eventually diverge. But perhaps the most important part is being able to wish them well – wherever their journey takes them.
Time never moves backward. Life flows forward, into a future that none of us can predict. All we can do is be present in this moment and let it take us where it will.
This song is dedicated to Kim’s memory, played alone at night while thinking of him. I’d love to hear what thoughts and emotions this piece stirs in you.
Link to YouTube: https://youtu.be/MBLytTnz_lw?si=MwDCVvUgVZ3NrndI
All the best, Kim. I will never forget you.
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