Thursday 8 August 2013

17

He gave me one of those first ever cassette recorders on the proviso that I would tape the 'Top 30' every Sunday afternoon. I would hover over the Play & Pause buttons in between the ads, waiting for the start of the next song and trying to miss the last second of the DJ's voice. That's when I knew I would have to be in a band! I was 12 years old, he was my brother in law, he was in a band.

A year later I was in a band, although it was a marching band, a pipe band, and I loved it. And still he encouraged me to learn a more modern instrument, or learn to sing.
When I did become a singer, in my early twenties, he would come along to gigs with my sis, and give me tips afterwards about sound, levels, projection, how to be more confident.

He had a reputation for being a ladies man, a flirt, something I have been accused of many times since I entered this world of show. And yes, I do find flirting with the audience to be part of the job. Sadly he took it further.

And unfortunately, one of the 'ladies' he chose to have a dalliance with was the estranged wife of a not very nice scumbag.

17 years ago today he was shot a number of times on his doorstep as he returned home from one of his gigs. He died in the arms of his youngest son.

Our family was shot that night.

5 comments:

  1. Wow.

    I'm sorry for your family's pain. But I'm glad you have a gift which you use to make others happy.

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  2. i can't imagine what that night must have felt like for your family! xoxoxo

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  3. You became a singer? Have I been away that long?

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  4. hope; Not a gift, just something that keeps me sane. :¬)

    xxx

    sav; It changed me, that's for sure. :¬)

    xoxoxox

    Chef; Too long my friend, too feckin' long. :¬/

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  5. Chef; I may be in Paradise on the 28th, or not. If you are, watch out for the little singin' fella & the Plumber eh? :¬)

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