Drew and I were in a band - The Jagged Edge-  almost 60 years ago.  I remember writing one of my first songs called “Lies I Spoke” .   It was a decent song ( not great) but Drew had an idea for the middle  that changed the course of the song.  It was now great.  I can say that because my daughter who is now 51 years old and who is a musician loves that song . She was surprised  ( even shocked) that  I wrote it but I had to confess that it was Drew that made the song .  I think of him often.

Elliot

The family of Andrew is gathering today in Boynton Beach to celebrate his memory. He remains a unique personality and force in our lives.  So many changes will be noted as life goes on this past year. His 9 month grandson, Andrew, and his 3 year old grandson Lincoln will be the center of attention.  Yvonne has made major decisions and has been busy all year adjusting to changes. She is the role model of moving forward with grace and dignity. His three daughters have so much to share about this past year with their father remaining a presence in their life and all they have accomplished. Andre will be part of our gathering from afar. His sister Donnie has kept the memorial rituals throughout the year because Andrew respected them and they remain part of his legacy.  We gather to reaffirm his memory is everlasting.



Just found my way here. Got to express my condolences to Yvonne

Harley described Drew’s influence  on the Jagged Edge. We met on the Pioneer bus in Brooklyn. He had his guitar case and so did I. 
We started to talk and the rest is history.

Drew, old buddy, we shared a unique and special bond. I think of you often and miss you.

Your partner in musical crime,
Artie
 

always fond memory of drew though we did not see each often after
fordham----we could always find a common groove as we played our guitars--he was a talented and creative player and improvisor--

"fuzzy" joe gerardi    lindenhurst ny

For me, Drew is back there at Fordham under a tree by Edwards Parade, deeply entranced and playing the bazouki. I think if anybody goes to heaven, Drew will get there,  he'll just follow the music.


It has been heartwarming to read the many insightful remembrances of Andrew. While we were not longtime friends from the 60’s, Rano and I had the opportunity to spend good time with Andrew here in West Palm Beach and also with his wonderful parents Homer and Sophie, his beautiful wife Yvonne, his extraordinary sister Donnie, and of course his super cousins George and Joy.

Andrew was a unique and brilliant confection of exceptionalities. He was an exceptional husband and father, an exceptional son, an exceptional brother and cousin. While a family man, Andrew was also an exceptional artist, original thinker, and that rare person who exudes calm in a calamitous world. It is our regret that we never heard Andrew play the guitar His was a complete life, a life that circumscribed human experience.  

Andrew was – and remains – one cool dude. He was one of those few folks who came to this earthly plane and left it a better place. 

We join in sorrow for the loss of this remarkable man who led a good life in every way. 


I met Drew through many conversations concerning the accounting responsibilities for the OCL. I was retiring and fortunately for the OCL, he was taking charge. Drew was meticulous in his work, gentle in his speech, and excited to learn about this new accounting system 
But aside from that particular or specific work, I was struck by his demeanor. One day he spoke to me about his father, unexpectedly of course, and it remained with me. His fondness for his Dad , I knew, translated to his devotion to his own family and children. I’m fortunate to have met him and known him. I know how deeply he’ll be missed. May his memory be eternal. 

I met Drew at Fordham. He was one of the “coolest” guys on campus, with his gorgeous eyes and his incredible musical talent. We were all transfixed when he played the guitar. I was able to reconnect with him on Facebook just recently. I loved reading his Trump diatribes and hearing his music again. He  was so kind. I have a semi-funny vignette about our Facebook exchange. One day I tried to post a picture of Chick Corea and wrote “So sad’, referring to Chick’s passing, but I guess only the “So sad” comment showed up without a picture of Chick.  Drew was the only one who commented and wrote something to cheer me up stating that things would get better. He was so thoughtful! He was taken so quickly and so young, but between his devotion to his family and his music, he left a wonderful and enduring legacy. 

And here’s Drew’s A-side single 
“You can’t keep a Good Man Down” found on you tube from 1966
Hear his guitar and he wrote the song too

https://youtu.be/oiU5ZpO1q-4

Here is Drews band and first album in 1966.

I had the great good fortune to meet Drew when he lived in Brooklyn, and he proved to be a good friend, conversationalist  and musical mentor, giving me confidence and showing me enough tricks that have influenced my guitar playing for the past 40 + years. I will always remember the time when he showed up at a party with Yvonne to show off the dance steps that she taught him.  ("What? Drew can dance? We've never seen him do that before!") I will always remember the twinkle in his eyes, especially evident when I expressed his love for his family. Rest in Peace, Maestro and dear friend---you were the "Rock" in many ways. Much love, too, to Yvonne and family.

I first met Drew at the Fordham coffee house. I was playing a borrowed guitar with about a quarter inch between the strings and the neck. I had finally gotten the nerve up to play for an audience and started playing and singing a two song medley of Midnight Hour and the Chambers Brothers’ Uptown in Harlem, not your typical coffee house fare. First Joey Valentinetti came up and started playing bass, and then Drew came up on guitar and that coffee house rocked! To this day, one of my biggest musical thrills. 

Drew’s passing puts me in mind of the reggae song “Johnny Too Bad”: “One of these days you’re gonna hear a voice say ‘Come’. Where you gonna run to, oh, oh oh. You’re gonna run to the Rock for rescue but there will be no Rock. You’re gonna run to the Rock for rescue but there will be No Rock”  

Drew was a memorable part of our lives during our time at Madison HS.  Funny, ironic, and gifted, we spent hours with him probing the secrets of life.  A brilliant musician, I (Steve) remember him showing me the guitar techniques he had just learned from a street guitarist in Washington Square-  Jimi Hendrix.  (Drew played sitar better than Jimi). 
We are glad that Drew was part of our lives.  We are so sorry for your loss.
Steve and Alice Leslie Lawrence 

I also met Drew, aka Rock, thru social media on the music thread. I realize how odd that sounds. While that was the first commonality, many other of Rock’s traits brought us closer. Specifically his absolute pride and love for his family and his unabashed, unceasing devotion for his “Beauty”, whom we now know as Yvonne.  He is the human being we all thought he was, as he stayed true to himself always in all ways. I will truly miss him. I extend my most heartfelt and deepest condolences to the entire family and all of Drew’s closest friends.  
There is a very special place waiting in heaven for you Rock. 💙

Rest In peace Andrew. A wonderful human being in every way..you will be missed and cherished by all who were fortunate to have known you, and whose lives you touched. Rest in eternal peace. Stacy Raptis and family

Dear Andrew (Rock). 
You blessed us with your knowledge and your love of music. As well as your kindness and humour.  Although we never met in person your messages and comments were always cherished. 
You are Sadly Missed and Fondly Remembered. 

Drew was an online friend but was a great, soul a kind man and life coach! 
Made me pick up the guitar after many years!
My deepest condolences to his beautiful family which he loved immensely and talked about often.
He will be missed
“Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.”

Many of my most vivid and treasured memories from my days at Fordham are of Drew.  It was the late sixties.  Need I say more.  One day, sitting in the campus center trying to be oh so cool reading Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me by Richard Farina, I looked up and there was Drew.  Gnossos Pappadopoulis had leapt off the page of the novel and was right there in the Bronx, sitting near me, and I was transfixed.   He was the coolest guy I had ever seen.  I was not cool but just being in Drew’s orbit made me cool adjacent.    He had an aura, which sounds like a ridiculously sixties thing to say, but it’s true.  He did.  He radiated magic.  He had those eyes, the infectious giggle, the curly gorgeous hair, the music, not to mention his incredible brain and soul.  We met and became friends and for the next four years, I was blessed to know one of the most dazzling people to ever grace this life.  Safe travels my friend.  Sending love to Yvonne and your children as they embrace all their memories with you.  

I “met” Rock on Twitter in a music thread. We bonded over all things Brooklyn (our shared birthplace), and James Madison High (my mom is an alumna). When Rock talked about music, I felt as if I were auditing a Master Class. Rock’s razor sharp wit was surpassed only by his love of family, of whom he spoke often. I extend my sincere condolences to all of the family.  He will be sorely missed.  

My family and I would like to send our deepest condolences to you and your family Mrs. Georgopulos on the passing of your husband. 

When we lived in Park slope Brooklyn in a four-story brownstone with about 10 people, drew was the friend who always waited till after midnight to come over.   He’d sit down, light up and have a coffee with Nestlé‘s quick mixed in.  Most times, it was  just that late night sleepy talk, Drew looking out through his beautiful bedroom eyes telling stories,  many times playing music and always laughing.   the story I loved to tell was when he asked me to help his father out at the florist shop delivering flowers for Mother’s Day and he gave me the keys to the panel truck.   one day when I was on the FDR drive - which I was not supposed to be on - I blew the engine on the truck.   I sheepishly called Drew and he never got angry.   then again he never asked me to drive for  Bayberry florist again.     and his father, the Greek patriarch,  Homer was his name.    You could see where Drew got a lot of his dignity and ethics for working hard.    His fingers bruised and calloused from cutting flowers,  getting ripped by rose thorns.
I first met him with the Fordham university crowd where my girlfriend Patty, was attending.    I never went to Fordham but I spent many a day and night there.   the memory I have best is  of Drew playing guitar at the open mic in The coffee house.   he would just sit down,  lower  his head and go into a trance playing the most incredibly complex,  fast rocking music ever.   

 I remember one time playing guitar with him at a party.    who knows what we had before but I thought it was the best music I ever played.   I just let go and entered Drews hypnotic world of music.    I never played so well OR thought I played so well again in my life.   

Drew is a beautiful  man who had fantastic joy with Yvonne and their family and then took one more big breath of joy when he saw his favorite villain, Donald Trump,  get kicked out of the White House.    
we love you Drew And will miss you.   Stop by anytime especially after midnight.
PEACE

Rock (as his Twitter friends knew him) was a lifeforce so strong, one could not help but to gravitate toward him.  He was a smart, funny, true Renaissance man who cared deeply about music, social justice, and loyalty, with his greatest passion reserved for his family; they were his world and he spoke of them often.  I'm a better person for having known him.  I'll miss you, Rock. 

My deepest condolences to his family.

My family and I would like to extend our condolences to you and your family.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Vanessa Rodriguez & Family

My family and I would like to extend our condolences to you and your family. I did not have the privilege to meet your husband, but I do have the privilege to work with you Mrs. Georgopulos and I’m sure if his spirit and personality was anything like yours, then he was a remarkable and loving man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Yari Oms & Family

Rock was a one-of-a-kind intellectual, humorist, realist, and humanitarian. Above all though, he was a loving husband, father, and dotting grandfather. He touched many lives with his wit, humor, and exceptional insights. But, no matter how many lives Rock touched, it wasn’t enough. I will miss him dearly.

One of my favorite memories of Drew occurred when my wife and I were on vacation on Cape Cod. We were in Provincetown, about to enter a dark three story tower to see the view from the top. All of a sudden we hear two young preteen girls screaming and running out of the darkness. Guess who emerges behind them. It was Drew, playing monster with his daughters. I hadn’t seen him since before his daughters were born and we were living in California, so to run into him in Provincetown was an odd occurrence, to say the least. It was was also an indication of his playful nature and his love for his daughters.

It was the year 1964 when Artie and I met in camp, strummed a few tunes together and  formed a little group. But it wasn’t until Drew joined us that we could actually consider ourselves a “Band.“ I remember the day that Artie brought Drew to one of our rehearsals. This tall, good looking guy with short hair walks in and I said to myself, “hmmm. How is this conserve guy going to fit in with us.“ Then he began to play and the answer was clear. I remember how his hands glided over the fret board and strummed the strings of his guitar. I remember his movements with the beat  of music. I believe that Drew grounded us and  truly smoothed out the jagged in “Jagged Edge.“ Not to mention his words and creative ability which were pure genius.

Rest in peace my friend and may your memory be a blessing.

Andrew lived an extraordinary life full of ups and downs and sharp turns. He had a fertile mind and diverse life experiences. He left us many of his thoughts on his story line.  His best decision was marrying Yvonne. ...his soul mate.  He was so proud of his four children and grand son Lincoln.  He marvelled that they were independent and self sufficient.  He loved and respected his two guardian angels his sister Diane and cousin Joy.  They got him through so many of his adventures. 
He remained stadyfast in his values and ways. He was a gentle Christian soul. He truly taught us how to prepare for our last moments. He was unafraid and trusted what awaits us in the world to come. 
May his memory be eternal.


I have only known Andrew for a short period of time but long enough to understand what a worthy person he was.  He managed  the financial operations of OCL.org  and he did so in an excellent manner. He also was well aware of our mission and only enhanced the order and business  of our small organization.  Speaking with him was a sheer delight and I truly believe we became friends since we shared the love of music, church,  and our heritage.  It causes me great sorrow to think I will never hear his positive tone again. I pray for his family which I know he held close.  I  also know that his transition will be a smooth one, into the loving hands of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Memory Eternal              Argo Georgandis Pyle

Drew and and I met on a bus. We both had guitar cases and struck up a  conversation. Turns out we had the same guitar teacher. I was just forming a band with a camp friend. I invited Drew to a rehearsal and the rest is the history of the Jagged Edge.Drew wrote the sides for our singles which are still sought after.
I cherish those times with Drew. They were some of the best times of our lives. Rest In Peace, old friend. 

I remember the first time I met Drew. It was 1966. I was auditioning for the band- at that time called the Jaquars-later to be renamed the Jagged Edge. I remember walking down the steps where they rehearsed.  The first thing I saw was that he had a Gretsch guitar!   I believe it was black. George Harrison had a Gretsch.  I had never been that close to a guitar like that. It was  like a lightning bolt hit me. Then when the band started to play I realized these guys were really good. I was auditioning to be the lead singer and as it turned out I got the job.  

I was fortunate enough to sing many of Drew’s songs. He was an outstanding song writer and well ahead of his time.  Some  of my favorites was our “ big” hit- “You Can’t Keep A Good Man Down “ and “How’s She’s Hurtin’ Me.    I have been singing these songs for many years and I will continue to do so and will think of Drew each and every time.

Rest In Peace My Friend 
             



OBITUARIO

Andrew M. Georgopulos

7 abril, 1949 – 26 diciembre, 2021

Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center & Hillcrest Memorial Park

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