_Anastasio and Hooper on tour in 1994, via Phish’s Facebook_

This past weekend, Chip Hooper, longtime agent and friend of bands like Phish, Dave Matthews Band, moe. and many more, passed away after a four-year battle with brain cancer.

As countless memories came in through social media to remember Hooper, it was made clear that the man was much loved in the music world and beyond. Yesterday, Phish’s Trey Anastasio shared a touching tribute to his late colleague, calling him “a genuinely beautiful soul,” remarking on the man’s strong sense of humor, even to the end, and talking about the profound effect that Hooper had on Phish’s career, saying, “He felt more like a brother than a booking agent.”

Read the full note below, and view a video of a recent tribute Anastasio made at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA, where he shared stories of their relationship before dedicating the song “Show of Life” to Hooper.

In Memory of Chip Hooper

Chip was a genuinely beautiful soul. He had a huge smile, and a heart of gold. He was a true friend. I have so many memories of walking around the corner on the way to the stage, and there would be Chip, and suddenly we’d be cracking up about some ridiculous thing and everyone would have to wait a couple minutes to go to the stage. He was always talking about his family or his work with such pride. He cared. It really hurts that we lost him. Even at the very end, visiting with him in the hospital, he’d be laughing and commanding the room with his huge joyous presence.

It’s impossible to overstate the effect that Chip had on Phish’s journey, and subsequently on the journeys of every Phish fan. He was there every single step of the way. He felt more like a brother than a booking agent. We are really going to miss him. – Trey Anastasio