“What?” “What” is what I said, when I got the call last night. My longtime friend David (always with an ear to the ground), called to let me know, although it hadn’t been officially confirmed, he said “Charles Cross has died”.

My immediate thoughts went to Nancy Wilson of Heart and Karmann Sloane (Artist with Wilson’s Roadcase Management Company & my good friend). I put a call into Karmann, went right to voicemail.

My next call was to Tim Branom (Gypsy Rose). Tim & I were going to meet with Charley during the Layne Staley Tribute week. My plan was to bring Karmann with so she could hear more about the history with us; especially Charley. Voicemail again. Karmann does call me back, she already knew. She felt fortunate that she’d met him while she was here in Seattle for Heart’s home show concert during the New Year’s holiday. She flew from her home state of Texas to attend. Something Karmann said stuck with me because it was similar for me. She said when Charley told a story, he told it in a way that you were there.

For me, Charley showed me how to organize my thoughts in a way that I could write them into something, like I am now. Maybe it was just the way that when he spoke to me made me feel like I was the only one in the room; like I was important. Although I could talk about this man for hours, I want to share with you what Charley told me about the Rocket weekly music newspaper getting digitized. Charley served as editor from 1986 until the very last pressing in 2000.

Thanks to Charles R. Cross “Charley” and his best friend, John Keister (Almost Live), the Seattle Rocket was archived & available on the Washington State Library and the University of Washington Library.

Charley, along with approximately 20 others hunted down every last issue of the Rocket; starting with its first issue in 1979 to its very last in 2000. to have each one digitalized. I had actually stumbled upon the digitalization accidentally (Oct. 2023) through a paid newspaper archive subscription. That service had given its subscribers early access and before it had been officially announced.

When I saw Charley comment in this group about a project he was working on (regarding the Rocket), I commented about already knowing about it . Charley immediately contacted me and swore me to secrecy. The Rocket “Cat” was not to be let out of the bag…..at least not yet.

He also explained why it was important and the full extent of what was happening. He said that everyone should have access to history without paying for it, no

matter if it’s political or musical. He further explained that the project took approximately 3 years to complete and he had felt a huge sense of completion/relief after locating the last issue he’d been on the hunt for.

A few days later, Charley asked me if I wanted to help him with research and pulling archives for a new book he was working on regarding Seattle’s 90’s music. I was honored and immediately accepted. I had one meeting with him & countless of calls and texts. On Saturday (8/10), I sent him a text to find out what day/time he wanted to meet this week or early next week. I never got a response. What I would give to have had him answer. He had so much left to do still. Thank you for the opportunity Charley.

You can find all 333 issues of the zine here:
http://bit.ly/rocketarchives

I can say without hesitation that Charley was not in the least way finished. He had a million ideas; I wholeheartedly believe he intended to get as much as he could get finished.

I can wholeheartedly state that I felt absolutely lucky I got to meet such a beloved man. He accomplished more in 67 years then I and 25 others could in an entire lifetime. Charley was Seattle. He was the voice of Seattle; his voice now replays in my head. One thing I’ve been left to confront, what else could I have learned from him? The answer, the only one there could ever be? A LOT!

Charlie was a young 67 years. From the outpouring of love over the past 5 days, I can say with all certainty, Seattle lost its heart, Seattle lost its soul, Seattle lost its friend.

Until we meet again Charley, “thank you” doesn’t seem enough. My sincerest condolences to Charley’s son Ashland, the rest of his family, his friends and those he impacted.

Credit to all the photographers who images are used in this article.