Hi my name is Eric Root. Billy Roots son. I found these posts and want to thank everyone for the kind words. Im sure dad would be happy to know he was fondly remembered. I was also happy to see that someone found a copy of dads last recording date Live at Cappozzolis, I did the photography for that show, Dad was already showing signs of dementia and was really not at his best, he was disappointed by that and never really picked up the horn after .On the recording was also Vinnie Tanno (in my opinion) one of the greatest trumpet players of all time and dads friend since the age of 6 . Vinnie died not long after this date. A few years before this recording Vinni was playing at a casino in Las Vegas with a group called sorta dixy jazz band. I didn't know he was playing when I came in but from across the house I heard a trumpet blasting , cutting the rest of the band to shreds. I thought "damn that sounds like Vinnie" ,,,and it was when he saw me he beamed a smile , hes is one of the kindest men I ever met and I miss them both.(Vinnie is also known for his work with KC and the sunshine band)
If anyone would care to read it Billys elegy along with some photos and a discography it can be found at http://therootsolutions.com/billroot.html , .Also a video of his memorial concert is on you tube Memorial concert
Thank you all