Local musician Mark Pannier passed away July 7 from cancer at the age of 49. Known for his work with his band, The BBs, as well as work on albums from artists like Rick Forkes, his guitar skills made him an inspiration to Milwaukee area musicians.
Recently, he hosted open jam nights with Bobby Way and OC Woods at Cali’s Grille Room in Brookfield every Thursday. The open jam nights gave anyone with the hope of playing with a Milwaukee music institution the chance to do so. In the past, the BBs opened for Chuck Berry, Joe Walsh and others.
Pannier, a Waukesha native, built a strong following through years of playing local venues and festivals. He was scheduled to play on the last day of Summerfest this year, but died two days before.
He had played at the Big Gig the last six years in a row. Pannier started playing music over 30 years ago, and never stopped until the end. Friends and family mourned him Tuesday at a funeral service at the Krause Funeral Home.
Recently, he hosted open jam nights with Bobby Way and OC Woods at Cali’s Grille Room in Brookfield every Thursday. The open jam nights gave anyone with the hope of playing with a Milwaukee music institution the chance to do so. In the past, the BBs opened for Chuck Berry, Joe Walsh and others.
Pannier, a Waukesha native, built a strong following through years of playing local venues and festivals. He was scheduled to play on the last day of Summerfest this year, but died two days before.
He had played at the Big Gig the last six years in a row. Pannier started playing music over 30 years ago, and never stopped until the end. Friends and family mourned him Tuesday at a funeral service at the Krause Funeral Home.
Tyler Casey was born and raised in the Twin Cities, but hes lived in Milwaukee for the last four years working and going to school. A senior at UWM with one semester left before he gets his print journalism degree, Tylers grown incredibly fond of his new city and hopes to stay here for good. Hes been with OnMilwaukee.com since June 2006.
Despite retaining certain customs of his fatherland (Tyler bleeds purple and gold), he considers Milwaukee his home. Spending most of his time on the East Side, Riverwest and Downtown (as well as wherever the nearest bus line can take him), Tylers always looking to experience what the city has to offer.
