Southern California-based singer-songwriter Richard “Rick” Dean Fisher brings a deeply personal story of love, loss, and mourning to his 2026 release, “The Passing.” Rooted in a real-life tragedy, the song captures the emotional journey of someone left behind after losing a loved one.
The inspiration came from the sudden death of Mike “Scooter,” a motorcycle shop owner in Hill City, South Dakota, who passed away from heart failure in October 2025 while recovering from a serious motorcycle accident. His wife, Sue, was a close friend of Fisher’s wife. After spending time with Sue as she struggled with grief, Fisher began writing a song from her perspective, hoping to understand her pain and offer comfort.
As the songwriting progressed, Fisher connected the experience to personal losses within his own family, including his father, brother-in-law, and nephew. These memories helped shape the song’s emotional depth.
“The Passing” is an alternative indie-folk composition that explores sadness, anger, and the emptiness left by death. With heartfelt storytelling and intimate acoustic arrangements, Fisher delivers a moving tribute to those who have passed and the people who continue to mourn them.
