Riverside musician Orlando Sims died Friday, Feb. 21 after a decade-long battle with cancer. (Contributed Image)
Riverside musician Orlando “Lanny” Sims, who traveled beyond the Inland music scene to perform around the world, died on Feb. 21 after a decade-long battle with cancer. He was 58.
Mr. Sims, who was born in Riverside, played bass and sang in the alternative rock band Chalk FarM, which was featured in the film “Coyote Ugly.”
He grew up inspired by AM radio, the music of the Southern Baptist Church, records and his great grandfather, who was a blues musician from the south.
After he saw Jimi Hendrix perform live, Mr. Sims performed all over town with local bands until he enlisted in the Air Force when he was 18. While he was in the service, the played with his friends he was stationed with until he returned to Riverside.
Upon his return, he became part of the local bands Rampage, Ice, Stranger, Taboo Zoo and Money, which went on to inspire dozens of local musicians.
Mr. Sims eventually moved to Hollywood and he performed with artists including Jermaine Stewart, Debby Holiday and Ian Astbury of The Cult.
He then joined forces with Michael Duff and they formed Chalk FarM, which went on to open for artists as diverse as Joe Walsh and Seal.
Musicians in the Inland area and beyond shared memories about Sims’ and praised his music on social media.
“Heaven just came into some bad… bass grooves,” Vintage Trouble singer Ty Taylor of Vintage Trouble wrote on Facebook.
Musician Jay Nash posted “So very sad to hear about the passing of Orlando Sims. Such a bright, generous and talented soul” on Twitter.
Mr. Sims is survived by his wife, Colleen, and his children Julian, Izzy and Rosalie. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations for his children to continue music lessons in his memory.
Visit www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/z524 for more information.
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