Martin Lee Stephenson Weblog

Well, John's funeral was yesterday...of course, very sad, but also very dignified and a moving tribute to the man, with many of his musician friends turning out, many wearing football shirts.

Just sadly ironic that such a tragedy should bring together many of his old mates, some of us haven't seen each other for more than a decade {or longer}...nice to see Nick and Joe Diggins, Jono and of course Chris Kelly again.

Got me thinking of the old days around the North East London area, when we were young muso whippersnappers, and the huge array of bands that intermingled and socialised, most with dodgy names, some barely got out of the bedroom writing stage, and some took years and years to finish demos...off the top my head, these are the ones that spring to mind:

So What Next, Armitage Shanks, Two Tears, Ramshackle Ammunition Band, Cuba, History of Gardening...yup, pretty dodgy indeed, but, good fun. 

My dear friend John died last week, after a relapse of the bowel complaint he had last year. 

John was a guitar legend around the covers circuit in Essex, and also a huge Arsenal fan...I have fantastic memories of standing on the North Bank with him, and '89 Anfield will always rate as one of the best nights of my life...he had requested that football shirts be worn at his funeral.

Fantastic guy, will miss him loads.EIE.

R.I.P.