Crombie was finally sent on his way to sleep The Big Sleep. But what a send off! In his oratory, "Bertie" compared the occasion to a State Funeral and he was right! Diana's procession may have been longer but, it didn't seem that much longer!
The parade left the Jazz Café behind two magnificent black horses pulling the hearse. The band struck up with St. James Infirmary and the cortège headed for St. Thomas' Church by a somewhat devious route. We brought the traffic to a standstill but I didn't hear one horn tooted in anger. I don't know how many were in the parade but it seemed to stretch almost to the horizon!
Someone suggested that this was an illegal gathering! I'm sure it wasn't but Keith would have loved it if the police had charged in and broke it up!
As we neared the church the band segued into The Saints and march in we did - taking care to avoid some of the horses' by-products.
The church was crowded - even the gallery was full and we lustily sang When The roll is Called up Yonder.
Jess read Tennyson's Crossing The Bar before we once more gave voice to The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended. They got than one wrong - it had hardly begun!
Next came an "interlude" from Robert who spoke at length - indeed some might say at great length - about Keith with lots of anecdotes finishing off with a letter from Greg Hicks of the RSC who were frequent visitors to the JC (how appropriate are those initials?)
More hymns, then it was outside where the snow was now falling quite heavily. Was this his parting shot? No, a London Dreadnought bus (Number 14 to Putney) had been laid on to ferry us back down to Pink Lane and the Town Wall pub opposite "The Caff".
The walls were bulging as thirsty mourners clamoured for succour. At the far end Peter Gilligan and his team got the ball rolling. Just like last Sunday across the road the guys and gals got up and jammed and sang and had fun. Circumstances decreed I couldn't stay till the end - the laws of gravity were working against me staying upright but believe you me - just like the Long Goodbye Part 1 this was undoubtedly Gig of the Month maybe even the year!
RIP Keith - your like will never pass this way again.
Sky/Tyne and Wear video clip.
Kaveh Emami Photos.
Sky/Tyne and Wear video clip.
Kaveh Emami Photos.
Lance.
Beautiful write up Lance, what a day for Keith's passing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Val, I was quite proud of this myself - I'm sure Keith would have liked it! However, a prophet is without honour etc... Apart from you of course!
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