UPDATE 11/14/09: A benefit show has been planned for November 20th in San Francisco to be DJ’ed by Juan MacLean. Click here for further details.

When you saw Jerry Fuchs playing drums in any of the many bands in which he played, you marveled at his skill. When you talked to Jerry, you were disarmed at his complete lack of hubris, wondering how someone with such skill lacked the egotistical leanings of his contemporaries. If you ever saw !!! (Chk Chk Chk), Maserati, Holy Ghost!, Turing Machine or The Juan MacLean (among many others) over these last many years, you definitely saw him behind the drum set, ferociously pounding away in a style that gave signatory sound to each of the bands which he performed with.

Over the last decade of musical changes, Jerry stood out as one of a handful of particularly special young drummers, ones whom you walked away slack-jawed after seeing, positive you’d stood as close to a lightning bolt as you were likely to ever come. His untimely death at age 34 on Saturday night, after falling down an elevator shaft, tragically ends a much-celebrated era in music from a life cut far too short. We at Loudersoft send our prayers & thoughts to his many friends and family at this extremely difficult time.

I don’t love copy-pasta, but this from his long-time publicists provides fitting insight and tribute to Jerry.

Gerhardt “Jerry” Fuchs, beloved and respected drummer for The Juan MacLean, Holy Ghost!, Maserati, !!!, and Turing Machine, amongst others, passed away in the early hours on Sunday, November 8th due to an unfortunate elevator accident that occurred in a Brooklyn loft building. He was pronounced dead at Bellevue Medical Center, a few hours later.

Jerry was born on December 30, 1974 in Marietta, Georgia. After attending the University of Georgia for graphic design, he left for New York in 1995 to join the band Vineland. His achievements were numerous as he became a New York fixture in the music scene, providing incredibly complex and energetic drumbeats that elicited wide praise and excitement from fellow musicians, critics and friends. On the rare occasion that he was not touring, Jerry did graphic design work for publications such as Chunklet and Entertainment Weekly. Throughout all of his endeavors and successes, Jerry remained one of the most humble and down-to-earth artists anyone could meet. His smile, and loving energy will be missed dearly, as will his talent and contributions to the music scene.

Jerry’s family and friends request that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Juan MacLean
Jerry Fuchs was one of my best and most loyal friends. In other situations it might seem trite or misguided to mention someone’s music career in light of such a tragic death, but the truth is that music was an integral part of our relationship. Jerry was with me from the beginning of The Juan MacLean. The band allowed us to travel the world doing something we loved more than anything, and we constantly reminded ourselves how lucky we were, pushing each other to appreciate the life we were living when things got tough.

It is not hyperbole to say that Jerry was the absolute best at what he did. He was a legendary drummer. Other drummers revered him and fans were astounded by his playing. He was always the best part of any band of his which he was a member. And in light of all that, he was relentlessly humble to the point of self-deprecation. He exuded qualities that are are rare in the circles he travelled. He was disarmingly sincere and valued honesty above all else.

I have never played with anyone as great as Jerry. I would be hard pressed to name a more supportive and loyal friend. I hope his family finds some bit of solace in the fact that Jerry touched the lives of so many all across the world, as evidenced by the outpouring of support and condolences come flooding in.

Jonathan Galkin – DFA
Today was a really bad day, Jerry, and I could have used one of those big sweaty hugs you gave after a show, when you were genuinely excited and surprised to see me. “Galkin, what the fuck are YOU doing here?!”, you would exclaim, as if i didn’t ever attend the live shows from bands on my own label. You were truly one of a kind, and whether you knew it or not, people wanted to be in the same room as you, or near the same room as you, because maybe just maybe, some of that radiant joy and in-the-moment spirit you exuded would rub off on them. You didn’t take it all with you, because there are a lot of people today who are going to feel mighty responsible to carry and spread that joy with them for the rest of the time they have here. And who knows now how long that might be. You were a really good drummer, some might say the best we had, but you were a greater friend. I love you and miss you, Jerry.

Brian Long – Yes Know Management
Jerry cast an incredible glow on every situation he entered into. It was an honor to work with him. His drumming skills were truly a gift which he used to connect with many people. This is what musicians are put on earth to do. Jerry embodied this to the fullest. He will be missed but remembered with a smile and a laugh.