So, George Melly has died. Another great British eccentric passes on and our cultural life becomes (although one hopes only temporarily – see below) a bit poorer. I met George once. He was giving a concert that was attended for some reason by the Mayor of Erewash and, because I was a Councillor at the time, I was invited to meet him after the show. He was magnificently flamboyant; as camp as Christmas; irascible yet jolly; risqué. What a character. And his performance was fabulous - classic Melly. Loud, rumbling, stomping, shaking and rocking – he entertained us with his singing and ribald jokes for hours, wearing (of course) his trademark colourful check suit and cheeky fedora. It's always when personalities like George die, that we begin to think that the Golden Age of great performers is coming to an end. I'm sure people said the same thing when Bessie Smith died, or Fats Waller, or countless other larger-than-life entertainers.It probably isn't true; there must be some rising stars out there who can replace the outrageousness and flamboyance of performers like George and Bessie. Although are there? In today's world of instant (and therefore short-lived) fame – à la Warhol – will performers have the kind of longevity required to sustain a career in which they eventually become a legend? I somehow doubt it really. And please, please, please, nobody mention Elton John.
Goodbye George.
2 comments:
Oh that is sad. I met his wife a couple of years ago. She was very sweet but no one told me who she was until after she'd gone. I read her book too, and worries about George dying were one of her big things. They had a very interesting marriage...
I'd say rest in peace, except I'm not sure he'd want to :)
Hey, shots! How are you doing? Long time no speak. Hope you're having fun.
You're right though - George would most definitely not want to RIP :)
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