There was only one Lyle
[ ANTONIO SANCHEZ ]
What made Lyle such a special musician?
His deep knowledge of music theory combined with an uncanny ability to transform that theory into lyricism. A lot of very competent musicians can’t bridge those two. Lyle was a very special artist.
When you joined the PMG, what were your first impressions interacting and working with Lyle?
That he was an exceptionally bright person equipped with a different set of skills than most of us do. The way his brain worked was very advanced and unique. From musical concepts to programming to philosophy, there was only one Lyle.
Can you share with us one composition that you played on w PMG that you have a beautiful Lyle memory?
I would say The Way Up was the epitome of what the PMG came to represent. Lyle’s complex, yet lyrical spirit was all over it. I remember seeing the dvd we recorded in Seoul, Korea for the first time being blown away by the whole band’s performance but especially Lyle’s. I was always so busy playing that I never fully appreciated visually all he was doing behind the keys. Breathtaking.
What surprised you about Lyle?
His brain power. Above average. His kindness and gentle soul.
All the years touring with PMG, can you share a few funny moments you had with Lyle?
There’s are some many...He was an incredibly competitive person. We had a shared passion for pool. 8 ball. My family used to have a pool table in Mexico and I loved playing so I was a decent player. The first time Lyle and I played we were somewhere on the road and I won most of the games. I could see he was clearly upset and from that moment on, every time we would go and play he would get to the pool hall hours ahead of me so that he could practice and hone his skills. Needless to say he started beating my ass mercilessly and he even made it to the nationals! He hated losing.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from Lyle?
Being able to play with him night after night and talking about music and life were the biggest lessons for me.
As a fan, what is your all-time favorite “Lyle” track?
“Mirror of the Heart.” Just beautiful and moving. It really shows his superb command of the piano as a means of sheer communication. No showing off. Just music.