Best of the Best

[ MIKE METHENY ]

Lyle Mays has been an important part of the Metheny family for several decades, even before the Pat Metheny Group began in 1977. I was always in awe of Lyle. I even sat in with Pat and the group a few times over the years, when we all knew it was a “bandleader's brother” kind of thing. But Lyle was encouraging and diplomatic each time. And to be on the same stage with the majestic Pat Metheny Group of that era was special beyond words.

Here are two scrapbook photos from the summer of '76, when Pat and Lyle (with bassist Mike Richmond and drummer Bob Moses) were gigging at the old River Quay in KC. One day they took the afternoon off to play wiffle ball in the backyard of the house where Pat and I grew up, and for a few hot and sweaty hours in Lee's Summit MO, we all became kids again.

Rest in peace, Lyle. You were the best of the best.