He was a good bloke. Got to know him a bit a few years ago and he had no airs and graces. He also had a wealth of great stories.While trad jazz may not be everyone’s cup of tea, Chris also helped usher in a change in British music that literally shook the world. He gave Lonnie Donegan his big break, with the skiffle sound inspiring the likes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.He also brought over a lot of blues artists from America, including Muddy Waters (who had a particular way with the ladies, apparently), giving UK audiences their first live exposure to this music. As Bill Wyman once said : ‘without Chris Barber there would be no Rolling Stones’.Chris also co-founded the Marquee Club, mainly because he didn’t like the acoustics at the 100 Club in Oxford Street. The Marquee was a seminal venue for a host of bands in the 60s, not least Ealing’s own Who.
Simon Hayes ● 1122d