Robinson Eikenberry Memorial Concert

On July 7, Santa Barbarans lost a unique, cherished soul when music engineer/producer Robinson Eikenberry left this world suddenly and much too soon. A beloved behind-the-scenes fixture in our town’s arts sphere, Eikenberry worked with a who’s who of the Santa Barbara music scene for decades, enriching all those who knew him.

“I met Robinson at age 17 in a cultural anthropology class at SBCC,” said singer/songwriter Glen Phillips. “He changed my life pretty quickly — introducing me to the woman who was my partner for 25 years, reminding me that the life of the spirit was more important than the life of things — and continued to have a huge impact until his passing …. He was a mystic, a loyal friend, and a source of what seemed to be an inexhaustible amount of generosity and love. He was an excellent [music] engineer and producer who was able to take on anything — from a person’s first attempts at writing to the work of a lifelong professional and treat them both with equal utter reverence. He sought to help anyone who came to him to express their true nature and to do so with delight …. He will inspire me through the rest of my life.”

With kindness and largesse of spirit, Eikenberry nurtured and inspired both from behind the mixing board and in conversation, and so to honor his life, his musical friends are taking over the stage at Lobero Theatre (33. E. Canon Perdido St.) on Sunday, July 30, at 7 p.m. for Fueled by Love, a Concert for Robinson. The evening, which includes performances by Phillips, Alastair Greene, and Karla Bonoff, among many others, is free, but donations are encouraged for family expenses, with extra proceeds going to Girls Rock S.B.