A Life and Death Devoted to Music! Christopher Earl Gonzaque, My Brother

By Michelle Gonzaque-Watkins

My big “little brother,” Christopher Earl Gonzaque was born on February 20, 1956, at Southern Nevada Memorial, now UMC Medical Center in Las Vegas, NV, and came to a tragic end on June 7, 2022.

Chris was introduced to music at a young age, learning the piano around the age of 5 or 6. His love for the guitar very soon followed. He learned to read music and quickly picked up other instruments in his life such as the drums, trumpet, etc. Early in his music career, he first played country; singing and playing songs by Johnny Rivers. As young as 7 years of age his talents were recognized, winning various talent shows in Las Vegas where he grew up. He also became a town favorite playing at a show at the Mint Hotel, downtown Las Vegas, NV with his band that he formed with friends in his Henderson neighborhood.

Later in life, the family relocated to Pasadena, CA, where Chris discovered other hobbies and talents such as slot car racing, repairing vehicles, model cars, and flying model airplanes. He was highly smart and intelligent; and would mostly build his models from the ground up, especially the planes. His intellect flowed into his academics leading him from the school honor roll to a summer program sponsored by the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in Jr High to passing the CalTech exams for a full scholarship upon enrolling.

Yet his music was never far behind. He had the privilege of marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade in high school. He was asked to join the “The Fourth House” band, where he competed in the Pasadena Battle of the Bands against his schoolmate Eddie Van Halen and his band, who actually wanted Chris as his guitarist! Although receiving second to Van Halen, Chris’s band was offered and played on a tour of Japan followed by the local radio stations back home.

Throughout his life, he played and performed, wrote music, and taught music. His talents surpassed that of many artists local and known, and he loved to share his love of music with crowds and his “gigs.” He was known as “Blues Brother” by close friends and family and lived up to and beyond his nickname. My brother was a Soul Man, and a magnificent entertainer who credited his musical talents and abilities to our mother, Eleanor Graves. He loved and missed his mother dearly for although his death met a tragic end, he was truly heartbroken. Yet know this, he let it be known that when he died, you better throw a party! He wanted to go “2nd line!” If you've been to New Orleans, you know that upon death it meant a party or celebration of life like no one had ever seen! Chris will have his Final Gig to celebrate his life so party on my dear brother, and farewell to you!!

One of my parent's friends went away to Vietnam and left his electric guitar with his small amp at our house.  Chris picked up that guitar, and never put it down. I remember him sitting near the radio, putting cords together with his fingers, his fingers becoming sore and calloused. He would practice day and night. He was determined to learn the guitar, and he did. 

During some of his practicing, my sister and I would unplug his amplifier, as we were getting tired of the twang of his instrument.  It just sounded like alot of noise to us. He would get so mad, (as what he called music went silent), and we would just laugh. He would just plug it back in and keep practicing.   One day, as he was sitting in his room practicing, I said "Mom, listen! Chris is playing the song that's on the radio!" We listened anxiously as he played the song. "Wow," mom said. He's playing along, and he's good too."  I will never forget that moment. He has never stopped playing, and he got better and better.