Remembering Manny Tripodis, a 'champion of people making music' in metro Phoenix
Manny Tripodis, a longtime fixture on the local music scene, has died at 51.
Tripodis, a musician, owned the Rogue Bar, a popular rock club in Scottsdale that closed in 2019 after a 12-year run.
That same year, Tripodis purchased Linger Longer Lounge, a Phoenix dive bar, with his wife Jade Noble and their friend Cal Cronin.
Two years later, Noble and Tripodis bought Frances, a beloved central Phoenix boutique.
Noble shared the news on social media the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 6, saying her husband had passed away that night after a three-year battle with cancer.
In lieu of flowers, Noble asked that people please send donations in Tripodis' name to Feed Phoenix.
Remembering a man who 'encouraged people to follow their dreams'
Tripodis ran the Rogue for 12 years. When it closed in 2019, he shared a lengthy post on social media.
"Many view it as a rundown property that aids and abets people to make poor decisions and drink to excess. I look at it as giving a stage to people who have something to say or want to showcase and hone their art and talent. That might sound like a bit much, but I think we are more than just a local watering hole."
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As a local journalist focused on covering music, Mitchell Hillman spent a lot of time hanging out at the Rogue.
"He was a generous spirit the likes of which are rare to find," Hillman says.
"He brought people together with a smile, a quick wit, and an eye for talent. He always encouraged people to follow their dreams and talents, whether they were musicians, painters, writers or barflys. He had a keen perception for talent and he just loved finding new music."
Hillman says Tripodis was one of the most supportive people he had ever met.
"If someone he cared about was going through a rough time, he'd help them out," Hillman says. "If they needed money, they'd be working the door at Rogue for a few days. He was an angelic rascal who could sing like an saint, and loved being surrounded by amazing music, loyal friends and good food."
Brandon Decker of decker. shared a heartfelt tribute to Tripodis on Facebook as friends reacted to his death on social media.
"Emmanuel Tripodis was a sweet, loving man and true champion of people making music, who would inevitably become his friend," Decker wrote.
"He made a space for people to come together and share their art and he really gave authentic, loving time to everyone who entered that beautiful dive bar. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and so grateful I had a chance to reconnect with him this year. Sending you big love thru the ethers my friend. Thank you for making our world a good deal brighter."
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'We lost a giant of a human'
Local cinematographer Matty Steinkamp said Tripodis was "a hero to the entire music scene in the southwest" in a Facebook tribute.
"We lost a giant of a human with his passing," Steinkamp wrote.
"He brought so many of us together over the years owning and operating Rogue Bar. He always came out and supported local bands' big nights at bigger venues. I was lucky to call him a friend, but I'm honored to also be an artist he supported."
William Reed, who hosted many nights at the Rogue as a DJ, shared a Facebook post calling Tripodis "a champion of the Arizona live music and small business community — respected and admired by everyone he encountered."
Sarah Chapman also shared a lovely tribute crediting Tripodis with having encouraged her to form her band, Ghost Cat Attack.
"I almost gave up right before it all fell into place and Manny told me to just keep jamming with people in the scene and it would happen — and it did," she wrote.
"I'll be forever grateful to Manny and the Rogue for the community they formed and the art it inspired. Thank you for everything Manny, I hope where you are there is so much music and food and joy."
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A celebration of life at Linger Longer Lounge
Noble shared that a celebration of his life is planned for 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15.
Corey Gomez will host an open mic that night in Tripodis' memory.
Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Manny Tripodis, co-owner of Linger Longer Lounge and Frances, has died
