You can't really rate funerals as best ever but, if there was such a league table, today's send-off for multi instrumentalist Mike Gilby would certainly be high on the list.
Musicians, friends, fans and family gathered at Whitley Bay Cemetary/Crematoreum. In the current sub-zero climate this could have seemed like the coldest place on Earth but, given the warmth that was exuded twixt the gathered throng, it wasn't cold at all - well not very!.
As we awaited the arrival of the star, Graham Hardy - a former student of Mike's - played a long plaintive, melancholy, unaccompanied version of Days Of Wine And Roses. Somehow it seemed just so right.
Eulogies to Mike were read by his three children, Zoe, Scott and Mike and long time buddy Scott Adair. all four were overtaken by emotion and we respected them all the more for it - if you feel it don't try and hide it.
The formalities over, all adjourned to the Queens Head for drinks, buffet and music. If everyone there had brought their instruments it could have been the greatest big band session ever heard in the north-east!
As it was, Zoe, as was appropriate, kicked things off with Andy Champion on bass and Mark Williams on guitar. Zoe singing a slightly risque song that she assured us her dad would totally have approved of - and he would too!
Beginning to see the light/When Lights Are Low followed and all three performers were at their absolute best.
Graham Hardy, played a delightful Have You Met Miss Jones? and was just easing into Joyspring when I got a call from 'Head Office' which meant I had to leave just as the music was taking hold.
It was a great afternoon and it was with great reluctance that I said goodbye.
Mike wouldn't have been at all grumpy!
Lance.
Well Lance as you know I didn't know this gentleman of music, but your review was spot on, and I felt that "Days of Wine & Roses" was a wonderful choice, we can all identify with those words from our salad days, a great shame that you weren't able to stay
ReplyDeleteLiz.