Hello friends out there in Excitable nation. In honor of it being 8/16, I’ve written a fan spotlight on my friend Keith Cedrone, who unfortunately passed away in June. He loved 311 and I’m sad we didn’t get to do this before he left us. With the help of his wife, my good friend Kelly, we have put together a tribute to him to honor the day and their wedding anniversary.
Keith got into 311 because of his wife Kelly since they are her favorite band. He started listening to their eclectic catalog at home. Then when he saw them live, he couldn’t believe how hard they could go but also have great overall musicality.
Keith attended around 15 shows. First show for him was at Great Woods (AKA now Xfinity Center) in Mansfield, Massachusetts, with Sublime with Rome, in 2010. His favorite event was the cruise to Jamaica in 2015. He loved being on vacation with Kelly and seeing all the bands that were on the ship.
The song “Unity” was Keith’s favorite song. Kelly said it’s what sealed the deal for him becoming a real fan. As for favorite lyrics, Kelly and Keith had lines from “1,2,3” and “Speak Easy” read at their wedding. The lyrics they chose were, “It’s all right to feel good, it’s all right for nothing to be wrong. The deepest dream that we have could be tomorrow’s song,” and “I search for something to compare you to, thought long and hard for a simile true. Now I’m suddenly aware end the quest you’re beyond compare.”
Keith was born in March of 1987 and was raised in Massachusetts, residing most recently in Norwood with his wife Kelly and their three beautiful daughters, Harper, Fiona, and Lorelai. Keith absolutely loved his wife Kelly and he loved being a girl dad. They made him smile more than anything.
Keith & Kelly’s wedding song was “Hard to Concentrate” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kelly said everyone should give this song a listen today in honor of Keith and to “appreciate how the guitar plays like a bass line.”
Something that was really interesting about Keith is that he was a black belt in Karate and Tai Chi. He also was a Journeyman Electrician in the IBEW Local 103, and he loved his job. Keith also loved being outdoors, traveling to Maine and ice fishing with his daughters, something that was passed down to him from his own dad.
Keith was exceptionally good at puzzles and math. As well as being a super dad to his girls. Which is probably why his guilty pleasures were kids movies and cartoons, such as the Hotel Transylvania series.
Kelly was Keith’s forever concert buddy. They enjoyed going and seeing many different bands including his absolute favorite band, Shinedown. Aside from them and 311, Keith loved music from Tropidelic, Passafire, The Movement, Seether, NF, and Jelly Roll.
Keith was quiet, but one of the nicest people on this Earth. Anyone who’s life he touched knew there was something special about him. He always had a smile on his face and was generally interested when he asked how you were. He bonded with many of Kelly’s friends, including me. Our birthdays were only 2 days apart, so we always seemed to find a concert to go to around that time. I just wish we had many more to celebrate together.
Some of Keith’s friends happily shared some memories of him and the impact of his amazingly positive personality and niceness:
“Keith and I used to have deep conversations about songs and why they meant so much to us. After his passing, Keiths words in one of those conversations are what gave me the strength and courage to finally make some pretty big changes in my life.” – Lisa Parker Swane
“Keith was a kind, soft spoken, guy who clearly loved his family. Fatherhood appeared to come easy to him. Seeing him with his girls, he was a natural. He also had the best humor. I remember telling him how upset I was about all these tiny cars my then 3y/o son had all over our floors and how I desperately wanted rid the house of them (haha). His response was something to the effect of, “Vacuum them up. Kind of like when I get a crayon. It’s like whoops.” That was one of the first most realistic parenting comments I recall hearing. It still makes me laugh. We miss you, Keith. Shine on over us all.” – Christina Cross
“Keith was the kind of guy that was a friendly soft spoken kinda dude with a ferocious sense of humor. He always had a secretly absurdly funny comment to say about things that would make you chuckle. Always liked that about him – it’s great when there’s something fun hiding behind “the curtains”.” – Max Cross
“Keith was the sweetest and most caring person I ever met. He put his family first but always knew how to have a good time. I remember our times watching the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (not by his own choice 😉 ) and joking about a variety of cartoons at any given chance while quoting movies and laughing all the time. He made sure Kelly and I always had a good time when we would hang out. I will miss our times together but know you are keeping a close eye on your family and friends from above.” – Caitlin Nash
To say there is a huge hole in the world without Keith is an understatement. Whenever he was around you, the world was full of light & love. I know he lives on in another dimension, but we miss you in this one my sweet friend. Until we meet again.
Much Love – The Runt