It all still seems very unreal to me, but it is six months today since we lost Alan. Many of you knew him personally and know what a friendly, helpful, intelligent, charming and genuine person he was. I couldn’t write much at the time of his passing, and I won’t write but a small fraction of what I could do now. I was keeping most of you that knew him best informed at the time, so you know how dramatically his health deteriorated and also how bravely he faced his situation.
Most of us knew Alan through his love of TV’s music, myself included. I first met Alan on Friday 26th October 2001. How can I be so specific? It was also the first TV Smith gig I attended. I very nearly didn’t go as I had very bad sunburn on my face – so bad I was getting even more funny looks than usual! Deciding to brave it was one of the very best decisions I ever made. I have many, many happy memories of my friendship with Alan. It began by attending many gigs with him. Often I could only attend them with his help due to the fact I couldn’t drive and have severe arthritis. Nothing was too much trouble to Alan. I remember when I had an accident and had three limbs in plaster. He drove over to set up a new computer my wife had bought for me – but the shop had given her the wrong leads and all the shops were now closed. After almost a two-hour drive in each direction what else was there to do but roar with laughter and have a cuppa?! Not long afterwards he returned to take me to Mansfield to see Tim – on wheels (as the song says!).
I first heard that he was ill when his son, Chris - a fellow TUT - called to tell me he was in hospital and that the situation was uncertain. I was very pleased when Alan himself called the next day. What would he say? Tell me about the circumstances around his admission? What he was been treated for? His prognosis? Well, he did tell me about all of those things – but not before apologising profusely for being unable to attend TV’s forthcoming gig in Nottingham with me! That was Alan all over.
Those of you lucky enough to have known him will smile when you remember
his beaming smile of recognition whenever he saw a familiar face. He was exceptionally amiable and easily made new friends at gigs and events like Rebellion, often cementing them with his encyclopaedic knowledge of bands and recommendations of who to see to the uninitiated. Admittedly, his beloved 999 and TV Smith always got special plugs!
I’ll always genuinely treasure my friendship with Alan and my final meetings with him at the hospital in Leeds and at home two days before he passed away will stay with me forever. Typically of the man, even after his passing, he’s still managing to do us all a power of good. Not only is Charli fundraising in his memory (see links above), but his fantastic YouTube channel is a font of entertainment for fans and exposure for the artists. If you haven’t checked it out, it’s here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/bloater999I’m just so, so sorry there won’t be any more clips from him.
Love to Paula, Chris, Charli and Alan’s parents and sister. Miss you matey!
