The ShadowMusic Web Community

It is customary, at the start of a new year, and especially the start of a new decade, to look back - remembering in particular those who are no longer with us. In response to this, plus a post last week on how old various rock stars would be this year, I looked up a few of yesterday's musicians, to see which birthday they would be looking at were they alive today.

(No significance in the list; they were just the first few names I thought of.)

Gary Moore - 68
Rory Gallagher - 72
Carl Wilson - 74
Dennis Wilson - 76
Cilla Black, George Harrison, Tony Meehan - 77
Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, John Rostill - 78
Big Jim Sullivan - 79
Billy Fury, John Lennon - 80
Jet Harris - 81
Eddie Cochran, Kathy Kirby - 82
Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley - 84
Johnny Kidd - 85
Alma Cogan - 88
Bill Haley - 95

Interesting list of artists ,in theory all of those could be alive today sadly not, someone once said there are two things certain in life is death and taxes.

A couple of other famous musicians who spring to mind are:
- John Bonham - 72
- David Bowie - 73
- Keith Moon - 74
- Freddie Mercury - 74

When I was working at Gatwick Airport I saw just about every filmstar and musician who passed through.

Saw and spoke to Cliff, but sadly I was on leave and never saw any members of the Shadows. I was miffed when one of my co-workers said "saw that Hank Marvin bloke the other day".

But one that sticks in my mind was Bernard Jewry (sorry if this not how he spelt his name) AKA Alvin Stardust/Shane Fenton. He just walked past me, on his own, no entourage or minders/security, and I do not think he was noticed by other people.

As Shane Fenton and the Fentones he was the first musician I saw on a stage in 1962. He was about the same age as Cliff, so he would have been about 80? now, but sadly passed away a few years ago.

For some reason I have the knack of never forgetting a face! Which makes it difficult to watch drama on TV - I keep remembering their old performances!

Kindest regards,
Christopher