The ShadowMusic Web Community

There have been a lot of "R.I.P." posts over the last few days, but the most heartbreaking one of all is the news that a good friend, Rob "Arpeggio" Bradford, passed away this morning (Friday 2nd December).

It wasn't unexpected. I had been in conversation with Rob over the past couple of months and he faced the future bravely, accepting that he would be, as he put it, lucky to see Christmas. Well, that was not to be.

My deepest condolences go to Di, Suzi and Michaela Bradford - lovely people I have known for several decades.

I will write more about Rob and his part in our lives when I have been able to better compose myself.

R.I.P. Rob... a good friend.

This is sad news indeed. Certainly his posts had become increasingly infrequent in more recent times, and I shall always remember and think of Rob as a leading authority in so many aspects of the music we hold so dear. Condolences to his family and all who knew him well.

Bill

Words are not enough... so sad.
Love to his family...
He will not be forgotten...

Like Jim, I had been friends with Rob for many years. Our first face-to-face meeting was in 1995 when I attended my first (of many) Pipeline Conventions. Rob shared his knowledge freely and enthusiastically in conversation, in magazine articles and in sleeve notes.

To use one of Rob's favourite words, I have lost a 'twangtastic' friend. To Di and the family, sincere condolences. Rest in peace, my friend.

George

Very sorry to hear this. Had a small amount of correspondence with Rob over the years and was well aware of just how hard he worked on various projects to keep the Shadows name alive and out there. Probably true to say that we have all got CDs, records, books, magazines that bear his name. A terrible loss to the Shadows community and to his family and friends.

Rob was one of the leading lights in the “behind the scenes” Shads community. He got lots of things done for our benefit. His biography of John Rostill was an excellent piece of research. His sleeve notes were well-informed. He was tireless in his efforts to get rare material released. Joe Meek fans will also be mourning his loss. He knew his time was short but remained cheerful. He was a darn good bloke. All sympathy to his nearest and dearest.
Iain

Very sad news, he has done a lot of valuable work for the Shads community. All my condolences to family and friends.

Didier

Such sad news. Rob was the 'main man' for liner notes, compilations and inside information on all things Shadows, Joe Meek and other instrumental issues.

I've had the pleasure of bumping into him at Pipeline conventions, Shadowmania (where we were once seated at the same table) and once at a Joe Meek exhibition in Newent. He was always interesting to talk to and I always learned something new.

Only a few weeks ago I ordered a couple of cds from his sale list via Pipeline. They seemed to be taking a long time to arrive but I put that down to the current vagaries of Royal Mail. On enquiring if they had been posted, Rob assured me they had and the next day refunded my money, which surprised me as I had not requested it. I responded by offering to pay again if and when the cds turned up. He replied saying "No more payments please".

Now, in the light of what Jim has told us, I understand better the reasoning behind that and it saddens me more to know why he was selling much of his collection.

My sincere condolences to his family. We will all feel the loss of such an active and influential member of the Shadows community.

Keith

What sad news! I had the chance to meet him a few times and still
remember the fruitful discussions we had about Shadows recordings and releases.
He will be greatly missed.
My sincere condolences to his family.
Ulrich

What lovely man he was Rest in peace Rob xx