Bye bye, Ivor

ivor
Originally uploaded by jovike.

Comic genius Ivor Cutler died on Friday. John Junkin died today. Oh no, and Linda Smith has gone too.

Ivor's sessions on the John Peel show were a joy. His honesty and economy of language remain refreshing, as does his careful pronunciation. I would always be there with my cassette recorder, possibly missing a night in the pub to catch his latest radio session in the 1970s. I knew where he lived in Camden Town but I never visited.

On my desk is a plastic bird on a spring, labelled with dymo: 'Fremsley' named after one of his poems.

Ivor's entry on Wikipedia is a bit thin. That will probably change in a few days. (Update: it did.)

Ivor on Flickr: the beautiful kindnesses.

Comedian found dead in Thames

Malcolm Hardee. I remember him on Tiswas, doing his balloon dance.

Also around twenty-five years ago, I remember seeing Motorhead's Bomber tour. They've found the original lighting rig and tickets go on sale tomorrow for the anniversary gigs.