Gareth 'Gaz' Hill, rehearsing, 1981

First Gig

How it all began…

Thursday 29th October 1981, it is early evening and I stand huddled in a small attic bathroom, together with six of my mid-teenage compadres. We are jocularly nervous as we prepare ourselves for the next 70 minutes in front of an already jeering, but friendly, invited audience. There is a drum solo at the end of the first song but unlike today, I have little or no fear about displaying my crude, raw talent. In fact, before the night is over, I will have shamelessly performed no less than three solo indulgences without a hint of reticence, or the restrictive self-awareness that will later come to plague me throughout adulthood. Later on that evening, I return home quietly ecstatic, telling my mum Continue reading “First Gig”

Red-Rocks-Hoylake-1982

Phil Sung, My Personal Obituary

Remembering Phil Sung, My Partner From Schooldays Photography

This is such tragic news, I can’t believe I’m actually writing this; but from personal experience, I know only too well that hearing about your loved one from the viewpoint of non-family members can enhance the memories that will become the lasting link to the life they lived.

I first got to know Phil at Hilbre Secondary school, a larger than life character who stood in the playground at break times, moving from side to side on his feet, hands in trouser pockets with an infectious and almost mischievous smile on his face. Phil was a natural observer with a gentle karma, happy to stand and watch playground life go by, stopping people to talk as they made their way to whatever destination the school day demanded. The first thing anyone noticed about Phil, was his obvious Continue reading “Phil Sung, My Personal Obituary”