by andyg » 20 Jan 2016 22:16
Another great has passed away. I think you all know how much I respected Brian as a musician, friend and colleague. He was one of my 'idols' from when I started out, whom I met and 'clicked' with straight away when he was doing a Gulbransen demo in Worthing one cold winter's evening in 1971. I didn't know that night that I would be working with him closely just six years later, and that we'd even tour Japan together.
There are many, many tales I could tell - and probably will at some point - all good memories, some hilarious.
If Klaus Wunderlich was the 'uncrowned king of the electronic organ' over on the continent, I think there are many who would say that Brian held that title over here. He pioneered the orchestral style of playing and his multi-tracking was immaculately done. I learnt a lot from listening to him play on recordings and in concert.
I haven't seen him for many years and I had heard through the grapevine that he wasn't at all well. So I'm not totally surprised to hear the news of his passing, but it's still a shock to the system.
RIP Brian, I will be one of many, many people who will miss you greatly.