Gates of Heaven

Gates’ solid bass guitar skills kept him working, while the bearded
picker’s warmth and affable nature made him a winner with audiences.
Gates, 60, was a member of the Southern Comfort Band at the time
of his death.

“Dave was a great player and singer,” said Southern Comfort guitarist
Eric Will, who played alongside Gates with Little Joe and the
Memphis Beat in the 1970s and the Jessie Derringer Show in
the 1980s. “He was the original bassist in Southern Comfort. He had a
nice disposition, was good natured and outgoing. He never had a bad word
to say about anybody.” 

Gates frequently laughed off the coincidence that he shared his name
with the lead singer of the 1970s pop band Bread. Gates’ wife and two
sons encourage fans and friends to make a charitable contribution in his
memory.

—Kevin Corbett