It saddens us to report that local musician Jesus Acedo passed away on Sunday, March 3. No cause of death is known at this time.
Acedo, a masterful and unique guitarist, performed with his on-and-off psychedelic rock band Black Sun Ensemble (or Black Sun Legion, as it was sometimes called) since its formation in the mid-1980s. Black Sun Ensemble’s releases received fervent praise in magazines such as Rolling Stone and by tastemakers like famed music critic and musicologist Byron Coley, who wrote the liner notes for the 2001 reissue of the band’s 1985 self-titled debut album. The band opened for Camper Van Beethoven on its Key Lime Pie tour in 1989 and performed at showcases at South by Southwest several times.
But, despite his band’s innovative music and the loyal cult-fandom it inspired, Acedo — who often identified himself by an ever-changing list of monikers: Bolt of Apollo, Psycho Master El, Prince Master Blaster, Dada Gaga, etc. — suffered from mental illness that led to substance abuse and landed him in and out of jail and psych wards repeatedly, all of which was difficult to witness for anyone who knew him to be the kind, sensitive soul he was.
These episodes were largely responsible for the on/off nature of Black Sun Ensemble, but longtime fans were encouraged by a recent band reunion. On Saturday, Feb. 23, Black Sun Ensemble performed its last show as part of an art opening at Solar Culture Gallery. Steven Eye, the arts space’s proprietor, who describes Acedo as “a true visionary,” says it was “a magical night” and recounted that one attendee, who was seeing the band for the first time, asked him, “Do these guys know how good they are?!”
Reportedly, Black Sun Ensemble had also recently been working on a new song for which Acedo had already finished his parts. The band plans to finish the recording.
Service arrangements are currently being conducted, and there will, no doubt, be benefits held for the family. We’ll keep you posted about these details as we get them.
In the meantime, at the request of his family, a Facebook page called Jesus Acedo Memorial has been set up for his friends and loved ones to leave their thoughts and memories about Jesus. Please do so, as his family can use the support right now.
We at the Tucson Weekly offer his family our sincerest condolences at this difficult time.
Several links to articles and videos are below the jump.
A Tucson Weekly feature article from 2001 by Curtis McCrary is here.
Jesus Acedo’s Nine Questions is here.
A documentary short directed by Johanna Martinez for Pan Left Productions called I’ll Never Hear the Bells Ring in Heaven is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gno_b_4w3NY&feature=youtu.be.
A music video for Black Sun Ensemble’s “The Shining One,” directed by Jonathan Levitt is here.
A video tribute made and posted today by Al Perry is here.
This article appears in Feb 28 – Mar 6, 2013.
I will miss, Jodie Cosmo, Loki Wolfey, Funny Bunny, The Seven Headed Dragon of ?, Apollo the Destroyer, and the rest… Maybe not The Shiek so much. More than anything I will miss Jesus. He used to talk about wanting to see heaven.
Dada was Gaga
The first time I ever heard Black Sun Ensemble’s music was just over 20 years ago and it stopped me in my tracks. The unique and bizarre mixture of Middle Eastern and hard rock influences were impossible for me to ignore. I was ten times as surprised to find out music this phenomenal was the product of a home town visionary. Local genius!
My condolences not only go out to his friends & family but also to the local music scene for losing a true original. A spirit like his will not die, it will simply transcend from the material world. I can picture a super group in the great beyond that includes him jammin’ along with Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, Cliff Burton, Bon Scott, John Bonham and/or Keith Moon.
Jesus called my old man on Saturday, saying he was suffering from a “panic attack”. Hearing that he passed the day after is heartbreaking. Condolences to all who loved Jesus. Tucson has lost more than its share of local music legends.
I hope one day music historians will write and focus more on this man’s musical genius, songs and records, and of course guitar playing and make only a mere mention of his mental illness and troubles. Most “sane” musicians never have the career or fan base this man has and will continue to foster-which garners admirers from around the globe, and have included members of The Beatles among other well known and talented peers. His prolific and creative output has been incredible when considering his toils. Long before I was in the band or even thought more than a few moments about that town called Tucson, I heard “Lambent Flame” being cranked in a a record store in NYC. I too was stopped in my tracks, and became an instant fan. Then, twelve years later, I was in the band, and it was one of the best times in my life, performing at SXSW with the Black Sun and Jesus. He had a huge and good heart, and I can honestly say that I had a shamanic experience playing next to Jesus at the now just a memory 7 Black Cats. I had one beer in gut, not enough to rip the cosmos, no it was Prince Master Blaster’s playing that caused that rip in space and time for me. He was a fucking incredible musician, more honest and true musically then anyone I’ve ever known. Thank you Prince, you are now an Angel of Light. JPM