Spencer Gates
July 7th, 2008 at 10:21 am by GerardOnce upon a time before Matador had all sorts of trained specialists doing every little thing, we’d team up on a variety of tasks. After a couple of years in the wilds of the record biz, we finallly broke down and hired a full-time publicity-human.
The hire in question was Spencer Gates, an old pal of ours from the 1980’s boston rock’n'roll scene wars. Though mentally manipulating Spin editors and pursuing TV bookings wasn’t previously Spencer’s forte —- we’d first encountered her via her awesome job co-hosting the Mystery Girls show on Cambridge’s WMBR many years earlier — to say she took to the gig like she’d been doing it all her life was an understatement. The insight, humor and attitude she brought to the office every day not only made her the perfect person for the job, it sometimes felt like we’d all been doing it together forever. And I mean that in a good way.
Spencer played an absolutely pivotal role in the success of Pavement, Liz Phair, JSBX,Bettie Serveert, Pizzicato Five, Guided By Voices, Railroad Jerk and many others you know and love. She was a tremendous friend to the label’s artists and it would not be an exaggeration to say there’s a period in the label’s history that might’ve turned out very differently were it not for her.
Spencer passed away on Sunday, July 6. Our thoughts are with her friends and family.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I remember the nineties.
I was in a band called bettie Serveert.
I remember Spencer so well, we laughed so much, she was such a great friend.
i saw her for the last time a year ago, she looked well.
Bye Spencer, bye bye.
love from Berend
July 7th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I never knew Spencer– indeed, I don’t think I realized she was a she, but the name would be there among the stacks of paper in back rooms or sloppy side counters in many an early ’90s American record store. Thanks for posting this recollection, GC– reminds me too of some of the most interesting parts of the first Carducci book, i.e. just how & by whom records maybe got some attention.
Berend– HUGE fan of “Connie Waves With A Shell”!! I liked Bettie Serveert too but there was something about the language of De Artsen that was totally unique.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
The memorial service for Spencer Gates will be held on Wednesday, July 9 at 11 a.m. at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square (Bennett St.). The event will consist of a service at which any of Spencer’s friends are invited to speak (play, dance, read!) followed by a reception with many of Spencer’s favorite passed hors douvres (deviled eggs will flow). Joanie Lindstrom will DJ, and there will be a table for photos, so bring them if you have them!
More details are here or here.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
i worked with spencer and her brother peter at newbury comics, later answered phones for another radio show at WMBR that took over the mystery girls’ time-slot.
she was just soooo into what she enjoyed. it was inspiring, and i aspire to the same.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
This lovely, lovely woman. I think of her and all the fun, her kindness, our book of days. Wherever she went, she made fun and kindness, so much of it that she
shared it with the rest of us.
Eternal rest grant unto her; and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.
Love from Johan and family
July 8th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Spencer and her brother Peter, were responsible for some of my favorite musical purchases in BOS. Sorry to hear this sad news … she was “good people”.
I have some fond memories of BOS, the Blue Sands, Foleys with her and Sheena way back in the 80’s.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:17 am
In the pretty damn early ’90s, I remember calling Matador to ask for a promo copy of the latest Superchunk album, which I had been assigned to review for ROLLING STONE. I was eventually passed to Spencer, who laughed when I told her what I needed, said “Yeah, right!” and hung up the phone. It took two more tries to convince her that I was indeed serious. That kind of spontaneity and attitude just ain’t appreciated no more; it was, at one time, the essence of ye olde indie spirit, which Spencer embodied. There were none like her, nor will there be. She will be missed.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:22 am
I met Spencer in 1993 when Matador first took out its machete and chopped with eyes averted through the major label jungle. Coming from the indie label world, I recognized and understood the fear Spencer felt opening the tinted glass doors that led into the Atlantic Records reception area. I figured my first job was to make Spencer realize that this was not the set of West World. Typical Spencer, she needed about 3 minutes to make the place her own and had us wrapped around her finger in no time. Usually it was her middle finger, but that’s why we loved her. She was such a character, blasting into the label offices, harried and frantic, yet incredibly organized and focused.Spencer always knew the deal and could see through all people and all situations.She had DEEP love and respect for all of her artists and for the label she represented. What made her such a great publicist was that she was first and foremost a great human, who dealt with everything as a human, everything on the sleeve, but with humor and grace (she’d probably laugh at me for using this word). Spencer was so alive and powerful. A major force. Strange to picture her succumbing to anything.
Eternal peace dear friend.
Love,
Kenny
July 8th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Thank you for this Gerard.
Spencer was not only a champion of her beloved Matador bands, but a great supporter for those of us in the DIY mines. For the then-little zine BUST, Spencer gave us the time of day every day.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Spencer was one of my first friends in Boston. It was always great to be around her; she had such a true love of music. We drifted apart over the years, as people do, but I have such good memories of time spent together. My thoughts and prayers go out to Spencer’s friends and family.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I first met Spencer through Wendy Harte of Ace of Hearts records, but got to know her well when she moved to NY. She was hilarious, and generous, and certainly a force with which to be reckoned. As so many folks have already said, she was a consummate music fan and a great advocate for the bands she loved. My condolences to her family and friends.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Before Spencer hosted the “Mystery Girls” on WMBR she answered phones on my radio show there. I’ll always remember her wild whoop of a laugh, her irony and wit. I remember meeting her on her first night in Boston. Here was Peter Gates’ kid sister, and while I adored Peter, she was so different, yet always dedicated to him. What a great pair of people.
Once, when I was stuck in a going-nowhere job that I kept longer than I should because it was close to my apartment, Spencer said to me “I live across the street from Twin Donuts but you don’t see me working here.” I began working on my resume the next morning.
My best friend Cindy Bailen just reminded me that later Spenser lived in Hoboken, right over Maxwells. Different than a doughnut shop, I guess.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
here’s a few links to others’ memories of Spencer, the first being from Greg (above)
http://blogs.townonline.com/cambridge/?p=18061
http://www.bostongroupienews.com/
Spiral Stairs’ words – http://spiralstairsmusic.blogspot.com/2008/07/lady-talkalot-will-be-missed.html
July 8th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I’m sitting in a hotel lobby in Chicago crying my eyes out and the people around me must think I’m losing it.
What an amazing honor it was to be graced with Spencer’s smile and that damn infectious laugh. I used to run into her probably once a month on her way to the Soho post office and could always count on a hilarious anecdote, a great musical recommendation and a quickey career counseling session in the 3 minutes we spent standing on the corner. She really could make you feel like the center of the universe.
Damn, the world is so unfair.
Donovan
July 9th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
all…
just came back from the “party” in honor of Annie Spencer and it was indeed all she would want it to be. all the boston music glitterati were in the house and you instantly realized Spencer’s impact on the “scene.” I had only met her a couple of times through Peter but I always marveled at her vivacious nature… you simply could not forget her.
regards…
philip kret
July 9th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
It was a very special afternoon. Thanks to all who put it together. For those who missed it, suffice to say, Spenser was certainly there, hooting and hollering along with the rest of us. And that\\\’s where she\\\’ll remain: with all of us.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
In 1985 I was a 19 year old kid who adored Spencer. We worked together in a toy store on Boston’s Newbury Street. She would would breeze into work with a mixtape to play on the store stereo with songs ranging from the Ramones to Dionne Warwick. She invited me to go to the Ballet one day and then sneak me into the Rat the next. She was the first person to teach me that the entire world could indeed be your oyster. She lovingly took time to include and welcome an awkward young girl into her whirlwind world. I learned a lot from her, she shared her spirit in a way that showed me that world was ready and waiting, all you have to do is step up and introduce yourself.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
My wife and I were in attendance at the memorial service in Cambridge today. It was profoundly beautiful and sad at the same time. Just the right mix of tears and laughs, which I’m sure Lady Talkalot would have approved of.
It was really wonderful to connect some of the dots that brought us all together in her life and reminded of the little things that made her such a special person that I hope never to forget.
Rest In Peace, Spoonie.
Kris Gillespie
July 10th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
when we had our greased whiz through the system in th mid 90s..spencer treated us like professionals who needed answers promptly and uncolored by caffeine or candy..she made us feel like we were working w a real record company,,and that scared us..and then we went to th matador xmas parties and beads were strung betwixt decolletage and the rest is history..i had so much fun talking to spencer when she moved up to rhinebeck and looked longingly at my gin and tonic and sipped on her sweet tea telling stories of bitches,pricks and junkies..i spent that time learning th inside of an animal is not as pretty as th outside..and to be happy that there was a sober driver a great cook and superb storyteller at th wheel..i love u and miss u and heres a tear for your near beer…..xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxdanbunny
July 11th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
At the memorial service, Joyce Linehan read a lovely remembrance by Michael Patrick McDonald (who couldn’t be there in person). It’s just been posted here.
July 13th, 2008 at 12:01 am
I am devastated by the news about Spencer. She is in every memory of my years at matador.
Spencer was such an amazing person and it is so sad to know that she’s no longer with us. My heart goes out to her family and friends.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Spencer and I were unlikely roommates in Brighton post Mystery Girls in the late eighties. I happen to be from Buffalo too but didn’t know her there. We met at a (really lame) job we both had at Harvard Extension. She moved in with me, my new husband and her beloved but crazy cat, Phil. When I think of Spencer I think of music, Phil, that throaty laugh, her generosity, her bazillion friends and her roots.
July 18th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Hello Bostonians and other friends of Spencer!
I was vacationing on Cape Cod when I got the news about Spencer. Carmelita came to the house we were renting in Chatham and she and I caught up on old Boston radio days.
Many of you mentioned Spencer’s smile and laugh, I will never forget those or her wry, dry wit, and specacular eye rolls at the ridiculousness of any situation.
She will be missed greatly…
Tami Heide