01-03-2010, 01:40
Hi Everyone
Thanks for all of your thoughts I know Rod would be smiling on you all.
I won't be able to make it to his funeral as I am in Melbourne. I'm sure the music community in Melbourne will get together in some way.
My memories of Rod (and Shirley) are fond ones. I first met them in 1990. I had seen Rod on TV doing the "Jazz as now" series and I was blown away. The Blues scene in Australia wasn't noted for it's great singers, but Rod was one. I went to see a gig when he came in 1990 and it was a bit too jazzy for my liking, but then he turned up to a legendary blues jam ran by Dutch Tilders and Rod blew everyone away. The power of his voice, his range and his arrangements. We soon became good friends as I was involved in a lot of blues stuff, magazines, radio, gigs etc I stayed with them for the Lithgow Blues Festival and got to know them even better.
The sad thing for me was that they both lived very close to the poverty line for some time. What a shame such a brilliant artist couldn't get the monetary rewards he was due. I'm sure if he was in Europe he might have had a bigger market to work with. Despite that though they were never one's to complain and enjoyed each other's company and the company of friends (and their animals!!).
I last saw Rod last year. Shirley had passed and it was Rod's birthday so I decided to surprise him at his gig in Canberra. He didn't know I was coming and was taken aback by my appearance. That great big hug and tears we shed I won't forget. I know his soul was in torment, Shirley meant so much to him. To think they are together sitting in some nice comfy chairs, sharing a scotch, makes Rod's passing a little easier to deal with.
Once again thanks for all your heartfelt thoughts.
Cheers
Rooster
PS: I posted a song form that surprise birthday Rod had, it is on my youtube site.
YouTube - ROD "BEACHHEAD" JEFFERY "Bring it on home to me"
Thanks for all of your thoughts I know Rod would be smiling on you all.
I won't be able to make it to his funeral as I am in Melbourne. I'm sure the music community in Melbourne will get together in some way.
My memories of Rod (and Shirley) are fond ones. I first met them in 1990. I had seen Rod on TV doing the "Jazz as now" series and I was blown away. The Blues scene in Australia wasn't noted for it's great singers, but Rod was one. I went to see a gig when he came in 1990 and it was a bit too jazzy for my liking, but then he turned up to a legendary blues jam ran by Dutch Tilders and Rod blew everyone away. The power of his voice, his range and his arrangements. We soon became good friends as I was involved in a lot of blues stuff, magazines, radio, gigs etc I stayed with them for the Lithgow Blues Festival and got to know them even better.
The sad thing for me was that they both lived very close to the poverty line for some time. What a shame such a brilliant artist couldn't get the monetary rewards he was due. I'm sure if he was in Europe he might have had a bigger market to work with. Despite that though they were never one's to complain and enjoyed each other's company and the company of friends (and their animals!!).
I last saw Rod last year. Shirley had passed and it was Rod's birthday so I decided to surprise him at his gig in Canberra. He didn't know I was coming and was taken aback by my appearance. That great big hug and tears we shed I won't forget. I know his soul was in torment, Shirley meant so much to him. To think they are together sitting in some nice comfy chairs, sharing a scotch, makes Rod's passing a little easier to deal with.
Once again thanks for all your heartfelt thoughts.
Cheers
Rooster
PS: I posted a song form that surprise birthday Rod had, it is on my youtube site.
YouTube - ROD "BEACHHEAD" JEFFERY "Bring it on home to me"