Well today has been one of those days you never forget where you were when you hear about someone passing away. I know exactly where I was when Kennedy was killed, I know where I was when Elvis died and when Princess Diana’s death hit the news.

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For four months now I have been part of a project called Rea Loaded which is a bunch of guys enjoying playing the music of Chris Rea and hopefully playing it well enough for others to enjoy it as well.

 

Today we were in Stage Studios in Halesowen working through the songs in our set. We were playing one of the songs, Josephine, a lovely song which he wrote for his daughter. A sound engineer mate of ours was sitting by me listening to what we were doing and when we finished the song, he was looking at his phone. He looked up and said, “Chris Rea has died.” It didn’t seem real but a few moments later the studio owner, Alan, put his head round the door and said, “Have you heard the news?” I know it’s crazy but it was like losing someone you know and hits you hard. Our drummer Ed met him many times on the F1 circuits but I never have….and sadly now never will. I would have liked to have known that he had heard us and hopefully approved of what we’re trying to do. All I can say is What a superbly talented songwriter and musician he was and I, for one get a great deal of pleasure playing his songs which are so well crafted.

 

RIP Chris. I hope you can jam with the other greats who have left us up there in the great gig in the sky