General Chat

RIP you fabulous man!

Jazz performer George Melly dies The veteran musician had been suffering from ill health Jazz singer and author George Melly has died at his London home at the age of 80, his wife Diana has announced. The flamboyant performer had been diagnosed with lung cancer and vascular dementia, a condition which affects the brain after small strokes. Despite his illness, the jazz veteran was still appearing on stage in the weeks leading up to his death. In January, the Liverpool-born musician was taken to hospital after collapsing on stage in East Sussex. His final concert took place at the 100 Club in London on 10 June. Melly, who began his career in the Navy, was also a lecturer on art history as well as a film and television critic. Melly combined his jazz career with writing and broadcasting He also wrote the words for the Flook cartoon strips in the Daily Mail, drawn by his friend Wally Fawkes. The son of a wool broker and an actress, Melly was born in Liverpool in 1926 and educated at Stowe. He joined the Navy at the end of World War II before joining jazz trumpeter Mick Mulligan's band, travelling the length and breadth of Britain. 'They were terrific times we had. Hard drinking and squalid digs but absolutely no regrets,' Melly recalled. After quitting music in 1962 to concentrate on writing, he resumed his jazz career in the 1970s and went back on the road with John Chilton's Feetwarmers. Away from show business, his main recreation was fly fishing - a passion he indulged at the mile-long stretch of the River Usk he owned beside his holiday home in Brecon, Gwent.

A fab musician Diana, RIP,George, Caz xxx

Sorry that he died,but I knew the man,as I played in a jazz band in the late 50'/early 60's,and never liked him. He was uncouth and always had young girls around him,and really smarmy! I know he was a flamboyant character,but was full of his own importance,and not at all like the other jazz people I knew. Acker bilk was a character,but in a nicer way,Humph,always a gentleman,as were all the others. He died as he wanted to go,and refused treatment,and for his lifestyle he didn't have such a bad innings. Brenda x x

Wow Brenda you must have some fabulous stories! ;o) I never met the man myself but i always enjoyed his act! xx

Pink halo girl, Yes I do have some stories and fabulous memories,and sorry if I upset you by my comments,but he was just one of those men that you didn't like to stand next to,and of course there were always girls hanging about after the men,I'm talking about 15/16year olds,that he would chat up and fondle,which sickened me! Acker was a nut case,always had a bottle of some sort of spirit in his pocket,especially in the Cavern,as it was not a licensed place,and sometimes so drunk that he couldn't play! Went on a river boat shuffle with his band to the Isle of Man.What a fab time!! I could tell you more,but I'm off to the hairdressers this afternoon. George was singing with Mick Mulligan,at the time I knew him. Brenda x x

As has been said a flamboyant and colourful character and a fabulous musician, but not particularly likeable. About 25 years ago we were having a meal in a Bristol restaurant and he was at the table behind us. Listening to his conversation, which you could not avoid, he was full of his own importance. Brenda, would love to hear some of your stories. I used to work with a girl in the late 50s early 60s who baby sat and was friendly with Johnnie Dankworth and Cleo Lane, another colourfull couple. Ann Glos

Can,t say I,ll miss him or even liked him. He was ( As far as I,m Concerned ) Crude, Lewd and a Louch. I,ve seen and heard far better Jazz Singers than him who did it for fun. Hal.

One

One Queer who won't be missed !!!!!!!!

whoa that's not acceptable no matter how unlikeable he may have been!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!