r.i.p.

Marianne Faithfull dies at 78

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1966 photo © Licentie voor afbeeldingen van de Beeld en Geluidwiki

more information… https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8k931j423o

Red Reddog… Icon indeed.

Colin Bell… Loved her, so sad. RIP talented lovely lady.

Robert Searle… So sad

Joan Ann Cooper-fenner… I loved her too sad loss

Trevor Mepham… RIP Marianne

Roger Ferris… “As Tears Go By”  RIP. Marianne!

Jacquie Hinves… Another sad day for British music

Joanna Marie Mod…

Jim Breeds… Sad news!  Somewhere, I have her autograph from when I saw her at Glastonbury in the late ’90s.

Peter Fairless… ‘As Tears Go By’, written by 20 year-olds Jagger and Richard and performed by 17 year-old Marianne. How special was she?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Stringer passed away (May 2022)

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Martins son has just posted this on Martins facebook page … Dear Friends and Family, As you may know Martin was recently diagnosed with cancer. It is with huge sadness that Vicki and Jonathan are sharing with you that Martin passed away peacefully this morning after a short but brave fight. So proud of him and all the fun he created! Martin will be hugely missed by us all and we will keep you posted on how we will celebrate his life of music, magic and laughter. Sleep tight. x

Huggy Leaver… So sad one of the good guys, RIP x

Alan Esdaile… Very sad news. I probably knew Martin from when I was 16 and our paths would cross over the years. I would bump into him at the NEC in Birmingham, Earls Court, Business Design Centre and all sorts of places. He did come to the SMART meeting awhile ago and did some amazing tricks from his magic show. He always seemed to have a happy smile on his face.  One of the good guys. R.I.P. Martin x

Dave Nattress… Oh my God.  What shocking news! RIP Martin.

Reg Wood… What a shock. So sorry to hear this.

Colin Bell… RIP Martin, God bless

Andy Qunta… Very sad! Lovely guy!

Bernard Goffredo… Sad news! a lovely man

Andrew Clifton… Very sad news. RIP Martin.

John Wilde… Extremely sad news, soar high good Soul.

Margaret Trowell… RIP

Yvonne Cleland… Oh Martin. A sad goodbye my dear xxx

Marilyn Spence… RIP Martin

Alan Matthewsk… Just read this and it has made me so sad. Martin and I were each other’s “best man” when we both got married but we lost touch and I hadn’t seen him for more than 40 years.

John Mayall R.I.P.

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more information… https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c80ej3j9j72o

Chris Meachen… That’s a damned shame, went to see him in London a few years ago and he was still in great form & was very pleasant to chat with.

Patrick Lewis… Saw him a couple of times 20 or so years ago with his then Bluesbreakers. A very talented and pioneering blues man. A genuine great of the UK blues/rock scene.

Jan Warren… Aaahhhhh nooooo xx

Colin Norton… RIP John.

John Wilde… Thank you John for your great Spirit. Rest in Peace

Alan Esdaile… sad news

Gerry Fortsch… Another pioneer of British blues has left the building and will be sadly missed but he certainly left his mark.

Joan Ann Cooper-fenner… Legend

David Jenkins… So sad to hear.

Ricky Adelaide… He had a great life, sad

Rick Baldwin… Very sad. Such an important and influential figure

Steve Glover… Yes very sad, saw John at the Brighton Dome several times in the sixties when the likes of Eric Clapton and John McVie were with him, the Stones and Fleetwood Mac owe him so much, will have to get all my vinyl out and reminisce.

Tony Davis… That’s sad

 

 

Abdul “Duke” Fakir R.I.P.

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photo © Jay Godwin

more information... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4ng8015n2wo

John Gale… Sad news. The Four Tops…you can’t get more Motown than them,,,, RiP Duke

Jacquie Hinves… A wonderful group and my goodness we loved them. Together at last.

Bob Searle… RIP Duke

Graham Sherrington… Saw then in Cardiff in the 1970’s great band so sad

Colin Norton… I worked on a couple of concerts with the Four Tops back in 1971/2. They were really nice guys and absolutely polished and professional. RIP Duke.

Jan Warren… Love the Four Tops, sad they’ve all gone now R. I. P

Peter Houghton… Just loved the Four Tops remember seeing them in the 80s

Nicholas Ball R.I.P.

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Malcolm McDonald… His drama teacher was the same as mine, she really tried to get me into acting but mum couldn’t afford it. She was really proud of Nicholas Ball. Mrs Curtis was her name. Lovely teacher and lady.

Matt Thomas… Malcolm, Mrs Curtis was my neighbour in Hughenden Rd for my first 6 years in life. She really was a lovely lady

Chris Fitzgerald… Malcolm, I remember Mrs Curtis. Lived in Hughenden Rd. She was lovely.

Alan Esdaile… Will always remember him from Hazell.

Peter Brazier… wasn’t he a Grove School pupil like me?

Rosana Maria… Was he a local lad ? Seem to remember his mum living near me somewhere??

Angie Pilbeam… Rosana, I’m sure he lived near me & family on Hollington estate.

Peter Fairless.. Local, too, if I remember correctly?

Diane Leigh… Peter, sat in my mum’s sitting room way back ,say 60s

Lloyd Johnson… He was from Hastings wasn’t he?

Jacqui Gibson… Yes local…..he used to frequent the Pamdor

Stuart Moir… Far too young

Linda Boiling… I have a photo of a panto he was in. It was Dick Whittington taken around 1963. The St Johns Players put on the production in the small church hall at St John the Evangelist Upper Church Road, St Leonards. My sister Carol and I were Fairies in it. A lot of the cast signed the back of the photo and he wrote Best Wishes Nick. His mum was my first ever teacher at Dudley Infants School in 1961. I hope to be at the next Smart meet so will bring it along.

 

 

Terry James R.I.P. (Feb 2022)

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Alan Esdaile… Very sad news, our thoughts go out to Mo and her family x

Malcolm Sharp… Lovely guy, remember terry in the havelock in the 80s, and doing town crier judge, rip my friend, condolences to all

Tim Moose Bruce… I remember Terry and Mo at the social club events.

Linda O’leary… Terry. Used to work in a petrol station near me years ago lovely chats we use to have sorry to hear this sad news

Merv Kennard… First met terry when he first started at c&h early 1970s. Ended up djing with him early 1980s.

Alan Pepper… So sorry to hear this sad news. Our hearts go out to Mo and all the family. Terry was such a great man and a good friend. Will be sadly missed.

Kevin Linstead… I knew Terry when he used to DJ for the kids at the community centre up Harrow Lane. Best Friday nights ever, used to give away records if you answered a pop question or you were the best dancer, what a DJ!

Pete Prescott… A Lovely guy !

 

Joe Knight R.I.P.

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Tim Phillips… RIP Joe Knight a loving father, a kind hearted man who loved his music and football. He will be dearly missed by us all . Sending our love to little Joe and all the family. A sad day

Leigh Mitchell… Oh that is so sad! RIP Joe

Alan Esdaile… Very sad news.

Bernard Goffredo… that’s sad

Paul Crimin… So sad. He was a really nice man, a gentleman. RIP Joe. Condolences to his family and all who knew him.

Eric Harmer… Sad news RIP Joe

Paul Huggett… RIP , Joe . One of the good guys.

Colin Bell… RIP Joe, fly high.

Eric Harmer… Sad times

Frank Ifield R.I.P.

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photo © BBC for more information go to: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0vv1ngrq5yo

Sparrow Baker… … when the angels ask me to recall….

Chris Baker… Sparrow, Well remembered!

Sheila Maile… We used to sing I Remember Yououou up the club. Much to the annoyance of some

Linda Gowans… Frank Ifield died two days ago. I don’t know what comes to mind when you think of his records, but I doubt if many of you know this one, from 1961! I have the 45 rpm single from that year.

Alan Esdaile… Sad news Linda. I expect most people know The Nashville Teens version.

Linda Gowans… Alan, Yes – I’ve always thought Frank Ifield’s recording left it standing.

Janet Rennie… My nan loved him. Great singer

Leigh Mitchell… Sad news

Mick O’Dowd… (S)He taught me to yodel. Sad loss.

Carol Acott… “I remember you” springs to mind…..

Linda Gowans… Carol, Yes, that’s the one we all remember! Fewer people know he recorded ‘Tobacco Road’ – a very different side of his repertoire.

Jimmy James R.I.P.

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John Gale… RiP Jimmy

Colin Bell… So sorry to hear this, had some great times together RIP Jimmy

Alan Esdaile… Great singer, very sad.

Merv Kennard… Have always liked his songs.

Mick O’Dowd… So sad! Brilliant live performer and had some good tunes along the way. First caught on to him in early 60’s. Then had an album called “Live at the Marquee” which featured Jimmy & Vagabonds on one side and The Alan Bown on the other. Great stuff. Saw him last with Edwin Starr at Bognor Butlins on a soul weekender!

Robert Searle… First artist to have a hit with Red Red Wine. Neil Diamond wrote it never to become a hit, Jimmy James RIP

Melanie R.I.P. (23rd January 2024)

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Colin Bell… How very sad, she could truly move me with her voice. RIP x

Nick Bloomfield… Colin, me too.

Janet Rennie… Oh so sad. Loved her voice and songs . Learnt Alexander Beetle off by heart to recite in English poetry class and have taught it to my son and now granddaughter.

Michael Prochak… Sad to hear. I was offerd an opportunity to tour with her in the early 70s. Foolishly turned it down to complete an MA degree instead.

Alan Esdaile… Very sad news. Melanie did some wonderful songs over the years, like ‘Tuning My Guitar’ and Lay Down but the one that always paints the perfect picture is ‘Leftover Wine’

Dave Curtis… very sad … she was great

Steve Dylan… I met Melanie several times. Once in 1975 and on two different occasions in 1983. Last time was at the Lea Cliffs Hall in November, 1983.