Richard “Big Stiff” Konwinski
January 17, 1961 – July 18, 2010
Richard Konwinski was a longtime champion of the Tampa, Florida area punk scene. After growing up in Michigan, Konwinski uprooted in 1981 and moved to Florida. He quickly became entrenched in the local punk scene, which actually stretched down to the southern tip of the state. After spending much of his time at concerts by local acts as well as by the bigger acts who toured through the area, Konwinski decided to start his own label, Stiff Pole Records with childhood friend, Tim Hubbard. Over the next decade the label built a following by releasing records by such acts as Pink Lincolns, GoToHells, and No Fraud. Konwinski all but shuttered the label by the end of the ’90s, only to revive it during the latter part of the 2000s. Bands recently signed to the label include Last Great Hope and the Doll Parts. Richard Konsinski’s health was reportedly ailing during his final years. He was 49 when he ultimately passed away on July 18, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released.