Facebook has a lot to answer for.
In this ever instantaneous world of social media, it seems we’ve taken for granted how we’re all becoming voyeur addicts.
It’s great to peek into other people’s lives and view happy times in bars, beaches and weddings.
So fast, so removed, so forgettable.
Yet, it still can’t deny the real visceral pain of those that left us so unexpectedly. So it was when I saw a face appear who I hadn’t seen since my early twenties, and the post epitaphs were just starting to be given.
Big George Webley was just 53 when he died so suddenly.
Larger than life, he was cut from the same cloth as my other good friend Lee aka ‘The Godfather’ – both were cockney geezers and well know in the muso community in my home town of Milton Keynes.
George would often retort with a dry Sid James laugh, had a drier sense of humor but everyone who knew him, came away knowing he had the biggest heart.
King of the blag, he was a talented musician who made life happen for him by his sheer personality. He was one of those people as George Bernard Shaw stated made circumstances work for them to succeed:
‘People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.’ George Bernard Shaw, “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” (1893) act II
A bit of blag mate!
So suddenly I was jolted from life today to my former past back in England. It made me wonder what I left behind, and the people I grew up with. What I gave up so quickly to start life anew here in Canada. With George demise, it only made me realize that I did leave a whole lot behind, of good people who I shared so much with.
The Blues Collective - Hot Hits Volume 1 (1991)
300 Cabbies gather to celebrate Big George at 2am 11 May 2011
I called my friend Lee – the ‘Godfather; because he really was the one behind the scenes, who literally created a local music scene in the 80’s by sheer passion. He was very proud of his east end London roots. Where just being a ‘..fucking barrow boy mate’ was all you needed to succeed.
If you didn’t have all the credentials, then use a bit bluff, a bit of ‘blag’ and things could happen. Lee and George would do just that. Full of confidence, with an ability to talk to people, they made making connections look easy and made people believe in them. And people did give them chances.
I went to college for 2 years to learn to be a radio dj. Typical, Lee called in 1992 saying he was going into local radio because he asked for air time. And so it was for George who also ended up working for BBC local radio. Since being away he apparently parlayed his skills into a gig for Radio London.
It was so popular with night workers who listened to his late night show, 300 cabbies gathered together in the wee hours to pay tribute to him soon after he died.
George & Robbie Coltrane
I last saw George, of sorts on my TV. BBC Canada showed ‘Robbie Coltrane: B-Road Britain’. Coltrane, Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, drove an open top old Jaguar around the B roads of Britain. He went through a town called Stony Stratford, where he met George.
He proceeded to bore Coltrane relentlessly about the history of the road that runs through this village. George was in fine form, and played up the role of the village know all, much to the chagrin of Coltrane.
George was obviously was talented, as he wrote ‘Handbags and Gladrags,” which became the theme for the UK comedy The Office. Yes – that Office.
This man is answering your questions!
I have an interview (if you can call it an interview – as I was so bad) with George way back in 1989 when he and Lee formed a record label ‘Backbeat’ to promote local talent. Listening to this 3 minute attempt, shows him in fine form as I foundered like a ripe old cod.
At the time, George was riding high on his big break into the meida. He was the musical front band for ‘Jameson Tonight’, a daily chat show on then newly Sky satellite television channel. Derek Jameson (another cockey geezer!) interviewed all sorts and George had to arrange accompaniments to all types of musical acts.
Yes George – ‘This man is answering your questions……’ Please click on the link below to hear my interview via YouTube…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDg9NiMpuSU
It’s over 20 years since I saw him. But like my blood brother Lee (another story!) he made me believe that a bit of ‘blag’ and that typical ‘up yours’ attitude really could take you along way (well, with a smitten of talent as well!). To succeed you just have to believe yourself…..
George was to young, with too much to give, to full of life still to live. I feel for his wife Sheila and their kids. Thanx for the memories. We’ll miss you mate!
peaaaaacccceee out……
skinnyscronnybrit.com 