Paul Colegrove Kamanski, II, beloved husband, father, brother, friend and songwriter, said goodbye to his family on October 5, 2024 and went fearlessly into that unknown perfect place that awaits us all. One of his greatest joys in life had been to lead his companions deeper, farther and higher into the terrific wilderness, both of mind and mountain. Now he reaches beyond our perception to skies brighter, streams clearer, fields softer and songs more sweetly sung.
“You’ve become what you imagined, love eclipses all time, you’ve returned far more than you’ve taken, this is what He had in mind” -Full Circle (Comanche Moon – Dreams In Rewind)
Paul was born on December 16, 1955 to Chuck and Robin Kamanski and raised in Los Angeles. He had a passion for stories, a penchant for adventure and a song in his heart. He left L.A with his cat and his guitar and landed in San Diego. Paul continually pursued songwriting and thrived in the chaotic energy and camaraderie of original rock bands including Inhibited Life, The Heard, Electric Sons and The Fingers. He penned hit Beat Farmers anthems Hollywood Hills, Bigger Stones and Blue Chevrolet among others. He created a personal body of work alongside his wife Caren Campbell-Kamanski with his decades long project, Comanche Moon, winning the San Diego Music Awards Best Local Recording in 1994 for the album Electric Lizardland.
“She just whispered, my ears jangled, there’s a million souls been broke and mangled, there’s a million hearts that have never felt, stay for the winter just till the snow melts” -Indigo Rider (Comanche Moon – Electric Lizardland)
When a career in music sometimes became more frustrating than cathartic, Paul reenergized with his lifetime hobby of restoring vintage motorcycles, resulting in a remarkable collection of antique Bultacos, Yamahas, Husquvarnas and other brilliant hot rods.
Paul and Caren enjoyed over 30 years of creativity, laughter, music and adventure. They welcomed their daughter, Tennessee Snow Cree in 1997. Each summer, Paul shared his love of the High Sierra with his family, spending unforgettable days camping, fishing, strumming and squeezing out the last juicy drops of every wonderful moment.
“We can take life where we want to, we can lay it down by a broken road, we can lay it down by the river we can watch the sky just explode” – Tennessee Hit (Comanche Moon – Derailed)
In 2020, he fulfilled his dream of settling in the High Sierra permanently, relocating to Walker California. Shortly after moving to Walker, Paul and Caren lost their new home to the Mountain View Fire that devastated the area. Paul’s spirit of resilience and tenacity drove him not only to carry on and create his paradise, but was the catalyst for the beginning of many everlasting friendships within the close knit community. He was Santa Claus for the town’s Giving Tree annual community outreach event.
Paul delighted in hosting Tennessee’s wedding celebration and marriage to Aaron Hunter Dennis in May of 2024, on his property, in the pavilion he designed for the occasion. He walked her down the aisle and they danced, even though they were both remarkably bad at it (guitar players can’t dance).
One heart beat out of four, I couldn’t hold you, two heartbeats out of four, you’re halfway gone, three heartbeats out of four, I never told you, four heartbeats out of four, I’m yours.” -One Heartbeat (Comanche Moon – Dreams In Rewind)
Paul was an enigmatic man. His fearlessness not only opened doors to lifelong friendships, but protected his loved ones. His brutal honestly may have gotten him into some trouble, but it was also the vehicle to an exchange of ideas and meaningful change. His distinctly oddball sense of humor will never be replicated on this earth, try as we might. He was not only generous, he was excited at the chance to help, and it came to him so naturally to give of himself and to share. He faced each day with curiosity and intensity, never slowing down. He relentlessly worked to improve his life and the lives of those around him.
“It takes a young man’s life and it probably will, mining for gold in them Hollywood Hills” -Hollywood Hills (Comanche Moon – Old Dogs)
Paul’s unexpected departure leaves a chasm in the hearts of his friends and family. Now untethered and beyond time, you can find him all around, in the songs and records he left behind, in the East Fork of the Carson, in the maple board of his beloved Stratocaster, and in the endless stories of a well lived life, told late-night around the campfire, debauched and saintly, with a wink and a smile, forever more.
“Tell me the dream’s not over, God can save our soul, spent my life hungover, playin’ rock’n’roll.” -Hawk On My Heart (Comanche Moon – Old Dogs)
