Stuart Gordon R.i.p.

[Symptoms]

Got a shock when I got to The Guardian's obituary page (link below) this morning to discover that my old school friend Stuart Gordon had died of cancer recently, he was 63.  Stuart was at the 'Top End' Primary School with me then he went to the Grammar becoming Head Boy.  When I joined the 6th Form there he welcomed me by introducing me to everybody ... a true gent.  He was a brilliant musician and played in local bands, like me, throughout the mid to late sixties ... we were in rival bands but would often loan equipment to each other for gigs. His dad was the undertaker at the top of Front St and his band would practice in the hearse garage at the back of his house; I sometimes jammed with him there.  I think his twin brother Keith still lives in the Bedders area.

 

When I went to Uni in London in 69 we went our separate ways but in 1970 I met him by chance in Kensington Market (a hippy hangout full of joss sticks and Kaftan coats) in London.  I spotted him across the hall and yelled "Smella" (his nickname at school was Smella Gordon) and we embraced like long-lost brothers.  He was living just around the corner from me in Kensington Church St and was playing with the Incredible String Band; we stayed in contact until I went off travelling after Uni.  We lost contact after my return.

 

Google "Stuart Gordon Musician" for his history.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/09/stuart-gordon-obituary

 

The obituary isn't accurate about his schooling.

[Maggie/915]

Sad end, cancer does not respect age.

What a career, the article is a celebration of a unique lad.

Wonder where Wallsend came into his life story.

The Undertakers at the Top End are now the Grenville 's.

When they smile at you in Tescos you have to work out how poorly you look before smiling back.

Poorly should have read 'how hard up you look' in local speak

However Kensington Market was great in 1970.

A friends brother was ripping up T Shirts and selling them.

You could buy most things, no high street chain goods.

[Symptoms]

Try "Stuart Gordon Violin" on Google for even more stuff about Stuart.

[willy j.]

Syptoms, you say you were In a rival band to the Lynx, what was the band called that you were in? We knew them well in the late 60's, even though they were very Small Faces orientated, and we were very Zep/Hendrix orientated, we knew each other very well. They regularily came to our rehearsals, and there was a mutual respect there,

 

Can you remember their bands name before they changed it to 'The Lynx'.

 

They were all good guys, and Stuart will be fondly remembered.

[Ovalteeny]

Very sad news, albeit a little late as I understand Stuart passed away in August.

Therefore, I feel very fortunate to have seen him perform with Steve Tiston earlier this year at The Portland Hotel (Ashington Folk Club), on April 17th. He played with such passion and enjoyment, with a brilliant, permanent smile on his face. Apparantly, he has played with Steve Tilston over the years and when he discovered that Steve had a gig booked at The Portland he insisted that he accompany his pal so that he could re-visit one of the venues that he played at as teenager.  Such a shame that his talent is no longer with us.

During the 1960's I saw him countless times with his twin brother Keith plus Davey & Duncan cut their teeth as The Lynx, initially around Youth Clubs and then Clubs & Pubs around Bedlington and across Northumberland. 

[willy j.]

Ovalteeny, didn't Lynx change their name to 'Middle Earth' or was it the other way round?

[Ovalteeny]

I think you are correct, from The Lynx to Middle Earth, probably to reflect the changing times (more Hippyish)

[Maggie/915]

Once again it would be great to rewind and go to the Portland last April.

I wonder if he knew he was dying.

RIP

[willy j.]

Ah Maggie, what we would give for a time machine.

[Symptoms]

The Lynx DID morph into Middle Earth ... must have been 67/68ish. Yep, my initial post was a little late but I only spotted the news in The Guardian yesterday.

 

When I was 14 (1965) I joined a band called Lou and The Lions led by Malcolm Farquhar (he was much older than me) and we used to practice in his bedroom in Clovelly Gardens;  I was only in the band a very short time.  Mal was a canny lead guitarist and singer and I played rhythm guitar.  Our first gig was playing for the Scouts & Guides dance in the Hall at the start of Clovelly Gdns.  Another pal of mine asked if I'd join his group, The Iron Ties, playing guitar and piano (but only if the venue had one, although Hammond organs were quite common in clubs so these were often used by me) - think of me as a very poor mans Jools Holland.  We were on the books of a booking agent in the Toon so got quite a bit of work in the clubs. Goodness knows how I managed to balance this with my school work!!! I stayed in this band until I went down to Uni in London in 69.

[willy j.]

Nice piece of local embryonic musical history there Symptoms. Can't say I heard of the bands you mentioned apart from The Lynx/Middle Earth. really nice guys, we never played on the same bill but knew all about each other.

 

I was the bass player in a band called MERLIN, a 5 piece with Doug Haley, keyboards (Hammond Organ) & vocals, Harry Bryzinski, lead guitar. myself...Bill Johnson, bass, Colin Hall, vocals, Des Long, drums. We played everywhere in the North East ie: Mayfair, Oxford Galleries, Quayside, Rex Hotel, Whitley Bay, Freemasons,Stanley. etc.etc. But never Bedlington, apart from the early day's debacle. There were just no gig's in Bedlington at that time (late 60's) for groups like us. The clubs wanted the Vance Clayton Trio type group.

 

However, we did go down to London in 1970, with the promise of a recording contract which never came to anything. What we did gain from our year down there was the chance to play some of the most famous places in the music business. The Marquee, Ronnie Scott's, The Temple, Hatchets. Residencies at The Factory in Leicester Square and The Scotch of St. James. And many more, also some nice tours, the last one being a tour of the North East to allow me to wind down and leave the band after the last gig at the Domino. Anyone who doesn't believe any of this can look it up on Google or Wikepedia.

 

By the way Symptons, the agent you went through in Newcastle at that time was probably 'Tappy Wright'.

[Symptoms]

The really big thing in London in the late 60s and early 70s was the college circuit.  From the big colleges, like the LSE and Goldsmiths, through to the smaller ones like Gypsy Hill all had weekly gigs.  The whole thing was well organised and some of the colleges had really big halls, complete with proper stages and theatre lightling sets.  Some amazingly famous bands played on the circuit and the advertising, via the National Union of Student network, always ensured big crowds;  you had to show your NUS card to get in when paying your entrance fee (Joe Public wasn't allowed in 'cos of the seriously subsidised bars).  At the Freshers' Fair (held at the start of the academic year) all the new students would sign-up for various societies and clubs,  I signed up and joined the Social Committee which organised gigs and as a result got to meet lots of these bands in the Green Room where much 'hospitality' was shared.

 

Plenty of tales to tell but maybe the Forum isn't the place.

[Maggie/915]

Do not be shy Symptoms.

Tell all!

Start a new thread in Members Only.

'Dodgy tales of the Seventies'

[BedlingtonLass]

Malcolm Farquhar was my godfather - more like a dad to me

[Maggie/915]

A lot of people from local groups were brought together for a funeral yesterday.

An amazing tribute to one individual from Bedlington.

[Ovalteeny]

Too true Maggie/915.

For those not in the know the funeral for the very popular Eddie Thain was held at St. Cuthberts yesterday. Eddie was a close friend of Stuart Gordon and in fact the last time I saw Eddie was at the gig, in April, at the Portland when Stuart played with Steve Tilston. The Big C took them both far too early. The packed church and then packed Market Place Club Concert Room was testimony to Eddies popularity. In fact, as I was parking my car behind Tesco's my Uncle (who did not know Eddie) called me over to say hello and he enquired whose funeral it was, he said "it must be someone important, as I've never seen so many people heading for St. Cuthberts". You know what? That was spot on, Eddie Thain was someone very important to a huge number of people. May he (and Stuart) find mercy now and rest in peace.  

[rick65]

Hi, folks, I've just registered after hearing of the passing of Stuart a couple of months ago & I'm afraid to have to pass on the sad news that his Mother, Joyce died yesterday. I am related to the family through my father's side & remember visiting them in the early to mid-sixties. I was always very envious of the musical abilities of all three of them, a talent that skipped my generation completely, but re-surfaced in my children's era, they are both accomplished musicians, my son for enjoyment & my daughter in a professional capacity. The last time I met Stuart was at my brother's wedding in 1978 & Joyce 13 years ago when she was a guest at my father's 80th birthday celebrations. Joyce's sister Muriel is still with us & we'll be sending a suitable card to her. Although I wasn't present, Joyce, Muriel & Stuart's twin brother Keith attended my Dad's 90th birthday celebration in Alnwick Castle Tree House in Feb 2012 & other members of my family were present.

Sad day for the family.

Best Rgds,

Rick Davies

[Maggie/915]

Sorry to hear of your loss rick65.

You belong to a very interesting family, they have made a worthwhile contribution to our local history in Bedlington.

[Keith Davies Gordon]

hello everyone, Its Keith, Stuarts Twin brother,  Thanks for all the lovely comments made about Stuart , a much loved and missed brother but some beautiful memories. The progression of band names was  Ariels Lynx then Middle Earth.  The Wallsend connection in the Guardian was a small error

made by Keith Warmington and not picked up by Dawn- Stuarts wife- when reading the draft.  Stuart and I were born in the Green hospital Wallsend.

Was at Eddies funeral at Bedlington together with Duncan Tyler ( drums) and Dave Dobson (base) What a great turnout  As mentioned Eddie was at Stuarts last gig at the Portland with Steve Tillson - a great Gig

Thanks for the post Ricky ,mums funeral to take place at Stakeford methodist chapel  Friday 21st Nov 12.15 pm -Stuarts music will  form a major part

of the service . I am sure he would have  played in person if he was still with us

I last saw Stuart in Bristol on the 11th August at home. He was cheerful and bright I believe he knew he had terminal cancer- nothing was said but the looks between us said it all !   thats all for now     Keith

 

[Ovalteeny]

Thanks Keith, for not only clearing up some of the facts, but in being so gracious in such difficult times. 

[Maggie/915]

May be of interest

[Symptoms]

A bit of an update ...

 

I tuned into the ITV iPlayer to view Johnny Kingdom's new shows about Exmoor (they're currently being broadcast live on ITV midweek) and at the beginning of the final credits of the first show of the series was a dedication to Stuart;  that first show, and subsequent shows credit him with the 'original music'.  This 'background' music throughout the shows is lovely and so evocative of the Exmoor landscape.

 

Go to the ITV iPlayer and check out the programmes and the music.

Edited June 18, 2015 by Symptoms