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Post by winchesterclub on May 4, 2020 16:18:34 GMT
David Paul Greenfield (29/03/49-03/05/20)
We are deeply and profoundly saddened to announce the untimely passing of keyboard legend Dave Greenfield on the evening of 3rd May 2020. Following a stay in hospital for heart problems, Dave tested positive for the Covid-19 virus last Sunday but he sadly lost his battle last night. Dave had been an ever present in the band since joining in late 1975 and his keyboard wizardry was world-renowned over his 45 year career in The Stranglers. Dave was a lovable, friendly and eccentric character who always had time to chat.
We have received the following tributes from Dave's fellow band members JJ, Jet and Baz as well as Sil the band's manager:
“On the evening of Sunday May 3rd my great friend and longstanding colleague of 45 years, the musical genius that was Dave Greenfield, passed away as one of the victims of the Great Pandemic of 2020. All of us in the worldwide Stranglers’ family grieve and send our sincerest condolences to Pam.” - JJ Burnel
“We have just lost a dear friend and music genius, and so has the whole world. Dave was a complete natural in music. Together, we toured the globe endlessly and it was clear he was adored by millions. A huge talent, a great loss, he is dearly missed.” - Jet Black
“We lost a true innovator, musical legend, and one of my dearest friends today. The word genius is bandied around far too easily in this day and age, but Dave Greenfield certainly was one. We stood together on the same side of the stage for 20 years, laughed, joked and shared our lives in the way that only band mates can. I'll miss him forever. Our thoughts and hearts are with his wife Pam, and to the millions of fans who worshipped at his altar, he'll never be equalled.” - Baz Warne
“We are all in shock, Dave was a kind, generous soul who had time for anyone and everyone and it has been my privilege to have known him as both a close friend, his tech and manager for over 40 years. Our thoughts are with Pam at this sad time” - Sil Willcox
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Post by fordcapri on May 4, 2020 17:52:51 GMT
Terrible shame. I remember hearing 'No More Heroes' for the first time, back in '77, and it was definitely the keyboards that made that song for me. Same with 'Golden Brown' a few years later. I bought a box set of the Stranglers albums only a year or so ago. Definitely a brilliant keyboard player and an integral part of the band. Impossible to replace.
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Post by Shot By Both Sides on May 4, 2020 20:25:53 GMT
Just seen this on my Twitter feed.
If we think of the early hits like Something Better Change the keyboards we're so prominent.
71 is no age nowadays and obvs Dave will be greatly missed.
The Stranglers, like The Jam played an extremely important part in my musical education.
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Post by jno on May 5, 2020 4:07:53 GMT
Love The Stranglers, especially 'Rattus Norvegicus' which is utterly superb.
Them keyboards were a defining part of their music, and I've learnt a few of those lines on the guitar over the years, solely because of how good they are.
This a sad news. RIP.
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Post by Portland Road on May 6, 2020 8:03:04 GMT
I bought most of the albums and the distinctive keyboards of Dave definitely gave them an edge over 'run of the mill' new wave bands.
R.I.P. Dave Greenfield - can't believe he was aged 71.
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Post by ltd on May 6, 2020 8:41:06 GMT
The intro to Hanging Around still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up every time I hear it. Pure genius.
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Post by daz on May 6, 2020 15:42:50 GMT
He certainly added a lot to the groups sound with his abilities, possibly why their songs still stand out so much in 2020.
Clint Boon, of Inspiral Carpets fame, was on the radio speaking about Dave Greenfield on Tuesday and said he got offered the chance to join the Stranglers for a spell in 97, as Dave was unwell and couldn't do a tour, he asked for Clint to replace him, but turned it down and admitted to not being good enough to stand in for him and Clint is an excellent musician in his own right.
Big boots to fill and you would hope they will now retire the group as he was such an important part of them that it wouldn't be right to carry on now with only JJ being the only original member still at it 100% and Jet of course when health allows, which isn't very often.
RIP Dave
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Post by brinylonshirt on May 6, 2020 20:32:35 GMT
A great musician in a great band. Having him in the line up was one factor in making The Stranglers stand out from other bands. It also got them more attention early on from record buyers even when the music press hated them. Their debut was the first punk/new wave album some of my school friends bought and not just because it was one of the first to be released. They were a great live band back in their prime. RIP
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Post by daz on May 7, 2020 15:41:12 GMT
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Post by thecraftyleek on May 8, 2020 6:57:16 GMT
I saw the Stranglers in Dubai in 2017. Dave was in great form behind the keyboards. A great musician who made the band stand out from others at the time of new wave and punk. Golden Brown and Strange Little Girl demonstrated his real talent. The solo in Get A Grip On Yourself is absolutely burning. What a guy.
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Post by chopper on May 8, 2020 13:13:33 GMT
Lost two great musicians this week, The Stranglers really are the pick of the UK Punk / new wave bands. They offered more than any of the others, they are not held up in such high regard as Sex Pistols and The Clash, but are that bit better. Only the Rockpile Collective Of Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds & Elvis Costello challenged them for superiority
RIP Dave, a real unique talent. as commented - the two singles from 1982 of Golden Brown & The even better (IMO) Strange Little Girl (which was actually first penned in 1974) showed that.
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Post by Portland Road on May 12, 2020 8:20:14 GMT
chopper - yes, I always think that The Stranglers never quite get the same reverence as e.g. The Pistols, The Jam, The Clash, or even The Buzzcocks.
Not sure why - maybe because they didn't start as a New Wave band and could be more melodious, also the keyboard maybe made them sound more cheesy, and in their later chart days they became a bit of a parody, doing 60s covers or pastiches.
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Post by daz on May 12, 2020 11:20:21 GMT
chopper - yes, I always think that The Stranglers never quite get the same reverence as e.g. The Pistols, The Jam, The Clash, or even The Buzzcocks. Not sure why - maybe because they didn't start as a New Wave band and could be more melodious, also the keyboard maybe made them sound more cheesy, and in their later chart days they became a bit of a parody, doing 60s covers or pastiches. Possibly because they were still going that they don't/didn't get the same sort of reverence, most groups only get that reverance you speak of once they have split up and leaving punters wanting more. Like most things in life, you only appreciate things when they are no more. |
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gareth
Winchester Regular
Posts: 34
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Post by gareth on May 13, 2020 17:48:10 GMT
As a young las I went to see the Stranglers in Guildford @ 1990
I gather this is where they started playing at the Old ship and such like.
Like one of the previous posters as soon as I heard No More Heroes coupled with the unique keyboard sound I was totally hooked.
If you get a chance to see Straighten Out ( An imitation Stranglers Band) well worth a look.
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Post by brinylonshirt on May 14, 2020 12:28:39 GMT
chopper - yes, I always think that The Stranglers never quite get the same reverence as e.g. The Pistols, The Jam, The Clash, or even The Buzzcocks. Not sure why - maybe because they didn't start as a New Wave band and could be more melodious, also the keyboard maybe made them sound more cheesy, and in their later chart days they became a bit of a parody, doing 60s covers or pastiches. Back in the day they had a VERY bad relationship with the ‘serious’ music press. Also even though all the band members were educated intelligent people they did not express the kind of left wing politics that would have been favoured by music journalists like say The Clash did. John Peel loved them and played ‘Black And White’ in its entirety on his show when it came out in 1978 and I think he may have referred it as the first post punk album which looking back now is true. The epic ‘Toiler On The Sea’ is prog rock and great prog rock! There was definitely an air of menace about them live and they did not seek to be matey with the audience back in the late 70s. They were also not forgiven by the press for being older and better musicians than most of their punk peers. The obituary for Dave Greenfield in The Guardian gave a good account of why they were considered ‘problematic’. www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/05/dave-greenfield-putting-beauty-at-the-rotten-heart-of-the-stranglers |
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Post by Shot By Both Sides on May 16, 2020 4:18:33 GMT
Great memories and well worth another butchers...
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Post by thewoodster on Jun 12, 2020 11:11:22 GMT
RIP David.
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