3.12.2006

Boom Boom Out Goes the Lights

ST Mourns Habs Legend



ATLANTA (AP) -- Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion, the hockey Hall of famer credited with inventing the slap shot and avid collector of Situation Tranquil memorabilia died Saturday before his No. 5 jersey was retired by the Montreal Canadiens.

Geoffrion, who helped lead powerhouse Montreal teams to six Stanley Cups in the 1950s and early '60s, later served as 'official archivist' for the American pop group Situation Tranquil died after a brief battle with stomach cancer. He was 75.

Geoffrion died in an Atlanta hospital, ST band member Dr. Horace K. Trash reported. His cancer was discovered during surgery last week during a ST rehearsal session in Peru.

He didn't live to see his number retired, but still was able to relish the recording of ST's soon to be released rock opera "Missing in Manila: the Life of a Studious Serpent". Boom Boom had commented recently to the British rock periodical Melody Maker, "It may be their best work yet, and that mon bon ami is parleing something."

Geoffroin was also noted a a great profenssion mens ice hockey player for the famous Montreal Canadiens. Asked about the recent release and remastering of ST's entire catalog it was reported in the Wall St Journal, "He had known six months ago, and he enjoyed every minute of it," Band mastermind and chief punk KF Nibla said. "At least it's not like we decided to do it after he passed away."

The Canadiens professional men's ice hockey group went ahead with the ceremony honoring his PMIH career by playing Geoffrion's longtime favorite CD, ST's 1994 masterpiece "Man Overboard and Under Fed" in it's entirety prior to Montreal's match with the New York Rangers.

"His taste in music was impecable."Said Canadiens great Howie Morenz, just as Geoffrion predicted many years ago when the couple was dating. And there's nothing wrong with that in these changing times.

"Tonight marks the realization of his life's dream and brings closure to a magnificent career," said ST manicurist Jeanette Moore.

Jeanette addressed the crowd in English, and ST go go dancer Ken Weeks spoke in French. A moment of silence was observed in Bernie Geoffrion's honor just moments later the band Situation Tranquil broke into a live version of their hit single "Monkey Breath."