​BOB MEEHAN

Robert J. Meehan Jr., 56, of the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Friday evening, Sept. 11, 2020,

​The Leer Brothers Band were shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of their talented and loyal set-up, lighting and sound tech Bobby Meehan.
Bob was brought into the band as a Coughlin student by Jay Leer. It didn't take long to recognize that Leer was right: "This kid's got a lot on the ball".
During his time with the band Bob was consistently on top of anything electrical - cables were quiet, no pops or buzzing (except at Gennetti's - we would tease Bob and laugh about changing all those damn rheostats!!) and the PA was always ready and willing to take our abuse.
Bob and Decker were singularly responsible for capturing the most complete live Leer Brothers Band recording at Bishop OReilly High School. It was decided at the spur of the moment and is a testament to the talent, skill and artistry of "our guys". It can be heard below at:
https://soundcloud.com/user-602317201/leerbrosbandbishop-oreilly-hs-feb-1982
Rest in peace Bob - We're sure you'll have things set up when we get there.

Jay Leer, Lars, Mike, Twig​​

MAGIC & LOSS
"...THERE'S A BIT OF MAGIC IN EVERYTHING AND THEN SOME LOSS TO EVEN THINGS OUT " - LOU REED

DENISE POLINCHAK

March 8th 2011

WE GRIEVE WITH OUR BROTHER MIKE OVER THE LOSS OF HIS WIFE DENISE.

DENISE MADE MIKE A BETTER MAN AND MUSICIAN.
HER DEATH AT THE HANDS OF AN "IMPAIRED" TOW TRUCK OPERATOR IS JUST TOO MUCH TO PROCESS.  
PLEASE KEEP THEM BOTH IN YOUR PRAYERS.
The BROTHERS.

UPDATE:   January 3rd 2017

A tow truck driver from Wilkes Barre who had been serving time in prison for homicide by vehicle has died. 
The operator, 60, passed away at a hospital in Wayne County.
He was found guilty in 2012 of driving under the influence when he caused the death of Denise Polinchak.   He was dispatched to her call for assistance.
According to police, he was called to tow Polinchak's car from the Social Security building near Wilkes Barre.  Investigators reported when he backed up, Polinchak was hit by the open driver's side door and thrown to the ground.  She died from the injuries.
He had served four years of a four to eight year sentence.

- info taken from WNEP-TV 16  "Convicted Tow Truck Driver Dies During Prison Sentence", name redacted
Thanks to all for your support of Mike.

2021 WAS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT FOR THE LEER BROTHERS BAND WITH THE PASSING OF OUR FRIEND AND BANDMATE

MIKE POLINCHAK.

BOB SHOWEd us what "being in the groove" really meant.

 "A GREAT GUY,  an original member of the Band, BOB was not only an exceptional musician and arranger,  He was A Master of the Hammond B-3.  It was always a pleasure to work with him onstage or in the Recording Studio.  Words cannot describe our sorrow, nor our respect for all he has given us.  Our sincere condolences to his family."  - Lars Van Leer
"Bob performed on several Mel Wynn and The Rhythm Aces recordings as well as on all the Leer Brothers recordings.  He could conjure up a style and play it like he'd been born with it." - Jay leer

O'connell's contributions are noted by bands, websites, credits and liner notes throughout N.E.P.A.
"I always looked forward to playing drums with bob.  I found he had an encouraging warmth about him and was Fortunate to experience "the groove" when we played...and the smile." -Twig
When asked, Bob agreed to perform with us for Jay Leer's Retirement Concert at Coughlin H.S. on May 19th 2003.  His smile said it all.  Listen to that SOLO!

Jay Leer, Lars and Twig joined Bob and the band when they performed a few songs at Leer's daughter's wedding reception. 

Twig took advantage of his niece's wedding reception to again sit in on Sharon's kit with Bob and the band.

​

We join again to say "Rest In Peace Bob  and thanks for the memories."  - Jay, Lars, & Twig

CHARLIE FACH

The LEER BROTHERS Band sends condolences to the family of CHARLES FACH, JR.  
FACH passed away MONDAY, APRIL 25th 20011 in HERMITAGE, TN, outside NASHVILLE, at age 82.
Fach began his career in the music business in 1952 at RCA in Camden designing business forms. He was quickly promoted to regional sales manager and served as marketing director for several years. In the late 1950's, Fach joined Mercury records and in 1961 he became President of their subsidiary label Smash. As the head of Smash, he worked closely with artists like Roger Miller, Bruce Channel, the Angels, and the Left Bank. 
Fach went on to become Executive VP of A&R at Polygram records where he successfully developed the careers of Bachman-Turner-Overdrive, Kool and the Gang, the Bar-kays, and the Ohio Players. In 1979, Fach moved to Nashville to head Musiverse, a production subsidiary of Polygram, where he was executive producer of several country albums with George Burns, including the single "I Wish I Was 18 Again", written by Sonny Throckmorton. 
He had two top ten hits with the Kendalls on Mercury Records (via MusiVerse) with "Before I Cheat" and "If You're Waiting On Me, You're Backing Up." In the early 1980s, Fach started his own label, Compleat Records, which produced several top ten singles with Vern Gosdin including "I Can Tell By the Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)" and "If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)" . 
Through the years Jay Leer had occasional yet extended phone calls with Charlie.  These calls continued to reveal that Charlie maintained his "ear" for the music, "heart" for the business and the soul of a friend. No obituary can adequately or accurately trace Charlie Fach's influence on those who's lives he touched.  

September 12th 2021

July 15th 2023

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our friend, bandmate and 'brother'
 Bob O'Connell.

  THE LEER BROTHERS BAND

Mike was all about Tone AND SUSTAIN. 

He played with the Confidence, Cooperation, Determination  and Drive that was established by Jay and Lars from the beginning.
We all agree it was A pleasure sharing the stage with him.
"Mike was the best guitar player I ever played with...we never argued." - Jay Leer.
"In every way Mike was a gentleman with a sense of humor and a deep understanding of his instrument and amp." - Lars Van Leer
"Mike was always prepared.  rehearsals were pleasantly intense and efficient as Jerry, Lars and Mike would polish and detail songs until they were "right"...They all Knew "stuff that worked" AND Tuesday rehearsals in the Penn Lake basement were a drummer's delight.  We drove to gigs together and laughed... a LOT." - Twig
Mike's contributions to the Band are documented in our Bio but the depth of his time us is difficult to adequately convey.
"If you were Mike's student he had a genuine and unrelenting desire to make you your best... 
...If you were a peer he loved the time he spent trading solos, riffs and chords with you." - Twig

BOB FELDMAN

The LEER BROTHERS Band sends condolences to the family AND FRIENDS OF BOB FELDMAN.  
FELDMAN passed away  at age 83.
He was part of a songwriting/ production trio with Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer for Bang  Records in the 1960s.

“As a team we go back to the 1960’s and the Brill Building days where we wrote and/or produced classics like ‘My Boyfriend’s Back,’ ‘I Want Candy,’ ‘Hang on Sloopy’ and ‘Sorrow,’ which was eventually recorded and became an everlasting hit by David Bowie. We were even an ‘Australian’ band that called ourselves The Strangeloves." - Richard Gottehrer

WheN JAY LEER AND LARS SIGNED  signed with Intrepid/Mercury Records, Feldman'S "FIREPLACE PRODUCTIONS" INKED a production deal WITH Jay and LARS. 

The Leer Bros. released three singles,  "Love Fever", "MYSTERY OF LOVE" and "I PRAY"  working with Feldman and arranger/conductor Jimmy Wisner.  IT IS FELDMAN WHO IS HEARD RECITING  PSALM 23 AS THE SONG FADES.

FELDMAN'S EXPERIENCE WOULD HELP MOLD BOTH BROTHERS SONG WRITING AND ARRANGEMENT SKILLS.

JAY RECALLS FELDMAN BEING IN A HOSPITAL BED "LISTENING TO TRACKS ON A PHONE  AND CALLING IN THE MIX!"

"Feldman was an amazing character!" "MAY HE R.I.P."