We are writing to you as the MetaBrainz Board of Directors following the heartbreaking news of @rob’s passing.
We know that for many of you Rob was not just an employer or collaborator — he was a friend, a mentor, and in many ways the reason you are part of this community. This is an enormous loss for you and for us, and we want to acknowledge it openly.
We also want you to know that the Board is fully engaged and has taken the immediate steps necessary to ensure that MetaBrainz and MusicBrainz continue to operate without interruption. We are committed to guiding this transition in a way that honours Rob’s legacy and protects the organisation he built together with all of us.
As the people closest to this work - those who have been living and breathing what Rob started twenty-five years ago - your voices matter enormously. We want to hear from you as we consider what the Foundation needs to continue building and growing.
We plan to hold a full team meeting within the next couple of weeks and will be in touch shortly with proposed dates. Please bring your questions, your concerns, and your ideas about what MetaBrainz needs to thrive in the years ahead.
“If you seek his monument – look around you.” So many public benefit projects are planted, blossom, linger, and then wither in far less than 25 years. I have always been tremendously impressed that Rob created a community, a structure, and a funding system that not only let the first project thrive, but also sprouted related projects which are blossoming in turn.
So he’s really dead huh ? I first saw the info on Matrix and saw someone post a link to a Rick Astley video so I thought… They’re playing, I’m not going to fall for a rick roll! I was waiting for a few days to comment… Dammit! My condolences to the family, friends and colleagues. Greatful for what he accomplished. We owe to him to keep MetaBrainz going (It’s his baby). Didn’t know him very well but as a MusicBrainz editor for the last 20 years, I interacted a bit with him on IRC. Rest in peace Rob.
