I'll Fly Away

The Ragbirds, a beloved local band in Ann Arbor featuring Erin Zindle on lead vocals and brother TJ Zindle on guitar, might not have ever existed if it weren’t for a third Zindle — their older brother, Eddie.

“He was the one who taught TJ how to play the guitar and he’s the one who really paved the way for TJ and I both to be doing what we’re doing,” Erin said between songs as the band performed during Sonic Lunch in Liberty Plaza in downtown Ann Arbor on Aug. 11, 2016. “And the Ragbirds wouldn’t exist without Eddie. He was a fearless pioneer. And being the oldest of three, he was the one we admired most, especially as children growing up. We followed him everywhere, and he was a musician first and he played guitar and sang.”

Sadly, Eddie died last week from a heart attack at the age of 40. The Ragbirds paid tribute to him by performing the song “I’ll Fly Away" during their Sonic Lunch set. Erin has created a webpage to raise funds for Eddie’s wife and five children at www.gofundme.com/zindle.