Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend and partner.
I've worked with similar characters and they're all out of the business, whatever is left of it, now. But in retrospect good memories.

Your story reminds me of an "entertainer" I used to go see in the past and wondered how he was so popular. Played, or really banged on a Hammond and beat his foot on one pedal all night, couldn't sing but tried, and had a drummer so bad he had to keep a drum machine going with just the bass drum sound on to keep the beat. His name was "Crazy Hugie" and he packed a Holiday Inn six nights a week. His secret? "Its not always how well you play but what you play when--know your audience" He was a big jogger and we were all shocked when he died of lung cancer. No more like him.
Again, sorry for your loss and thanks for the memory

Bill in NJ