MUSICIANS are wishing Madder Lake drummer and Australian rock pioneer Jac Kreemers love and thanks as he moves on to "jammin' with the universe".
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Ballarat's Kreemers, who grew up in Clunes, died on Friday after a long period living with vascular dementia.
Three years ago, coinciding with his 70th birthday, Kreemers played a defining gig at Sutton's celebrating his life in music and raising awareness for everyone affected by dementia.
Musician Mick Trembath organised a drummer in reserve. He said Kreemers had been in a state of decline, moving between his really good days and really bad days.
Kreemers arrived an hour before the event and jammed for five or six hours with three of his old bands and well into the after-party without missing a beat.
His old band Madder Lake turned up unannounced to play their hit 1970s single 12lb Toothbrush. Madder Lake was one of the first bands signed to Australian music label Mushroom Records and headlined the Sunbury Pop Festival.
WATCH BELOW: Kreemers with Madder Lake before a packed Sutton's crowd in 2017
Kreemers had not professionally played with them in years, aside from some reunion gigs. Trembath said you could not tell.
"The other thing about Jac was he played with everyone. He didn't care if there were massive Queenscliff crowds or 10 bar flies at a pub - he just loved to play," Trembath said.
"Jac was one of the last people in my life with links to old-school hippy Australian rock...He met all the famous bands from the time, 'cool cats' as he would call them, but they were just mates to him.
"Jac was one of the big rock 'n' roll legends of the 70s era but not the hype or Countdown specials."
(Jac) played with everyone. He didn't care if there were massive Queenscliff crowds or 10 bar flies at a pub - he just loved to play.
- Mick Trembath
A simple message from founding Madder Lake member Brenden Mason on Facebook sparked a string of condolences from fans.
Mari Kreemers was known for making sure her husband could get along to any gigs that were happening in Ballarat just so he could listen to live music - any live music.
- READ MORE: Living with dementia, Jac's story
This weekend, Mari said her heart was broken.
"I was truly blessed to have loved and be loved by this beautiful soul," Mari said. Catch you on the flipside, Jac. Big love to you all."
The couple featured in Celebrate Ageing's 100 Stories project for the Museum of Love, made in partnership with Ballarat's Bigger Heart Dementia Alliance.
Kreemers said: "I've been a drummer for more than 40 years. I just want to keep my music. As long as I can keep playing my drums I'll be happy".
Trembath said Kreemers had fashioned some small drumsticks and would drum along, often keeping beat on his walker, to music sessions in his care facility, proudly drumming to the end.
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