Remembering Rodger Swan (1986-2010)

The J-Vlogger Community has been deeply sadden by the loss of one its long term and prolific members, Rodger Swan. He passed away suddenly on January 26th from acute pancreatitis. He was only 23. Rodger touched the lives of so many people, people who he never met or knew about but such was his charm and character.

I'm fortunate to have met him at least on two occasions. Once at the Youtube Hanami Gathering and once at a Penis Festival. Rodger was a decent all around good guy and he will be sorely missed.

http://www.youtube.com/user/rodgerswan

Here I was at a local shrine to pay my respects and talk a little bit about Rodger, his interests, his influence, and how we can honor his memory. You'll have to forgive me if I rambled on too long.

The music I used in the background is from two bands. The first two songs are from a band formerly in Nagoya, The Sushi Cabaret Club, who I did a mini-documentary on sometime back and the last song is from one of my favorite bands, The Eels. The song talks about dealing with death and one poignant line at the end says - "...and maybe it's time to live..." which is what Rodger who loved life to the fullest would want us all to do. I just hope they don't stick an ad on this because I used music from a signed band (can I turn those off?)

The amazing thing in all this tragedy is the amount of love that has been pouring into his channel and videos and the video tributes being made. Rodger did not leave unnoticed or unloved. Take care, Rodger! See you next time!

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Japan
• Rodger-Swan
• Tokyo-Swan
• Iwate-Swan
• death
• sadness
• Iwate
• Tokyo
• JVloggers
• vlogging

[thecomfortisnow]

what's the name of the song? i love it.. i had never heard of this guy........stumbled upon him through a video from At the drive in-1980.

[RoninDave]

@thecomfortisnow which song? Two of them are from a band formerly in Nagoya and the last one is from the Eels

[thecomfortisnow]

@RoninDave the first one with the piano.it's awesome!!!!! I'm looking for it.i like it cause it reminds me of the early 90's when music was awesome.

[RoninDave]

@thecomfortisnow It's from the Sushi Cabaret Club. I have a video doc on them with a link to their homepages. Just search my video files for it

[TkyoSam]

Thanks for the vid Dave, I watched it when you made it before, but I just watched it again and I think that through out all the tribute vids that were made for him I have to say this one made me feel the best about this whole stupid fuckin situation. You stay black buddy.

[RoninDave]

@TkyoSam thanks! it was a video I wished I nor anyone else had to make but I wanted to comment on the impact Rodger had before and still has. stay black, stay strong

[tokyocooney]

I think this was one of the most eloquently put videos. Thanks for sharing.

[StarDr0ps]

I agree with everything you said here. It was because of Rodger's positive personality that had drawn me into his videos and his life. Now that I think about it, I think the reason why Rodger was here on earth was to touch the lives of many people. After he had done that, it was time for him to go unfortunately. He had touched and impacted my life quite a bit and it made me cry after hearing about his death. He tought me to enjoy life to fullest and appriciate what's around us. Thanks for this!

[Apophlc]

*smh* T.T...

[Horrorlord1]

Who could dislike this?

[NickBFilms]

Or maybe a time machine and save rodger! Also, Rodger doesn't feel dead to me, it still feels like he's out there in the world

[NickBFilms]

Somebody needs to make a machine that can bring people back to life. Bring back Rodger!

[thextortionist]

very well put man sure put a tear in my eyes thank you 

[thecomfortisnow]

@RoninDave the first one..is awesome.cant find it on youtube.need the nam eof the song.thanks. :)