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In May 2001 my brother Tommy died from cancer of the esophagus.
Anyone
who knew him will tell you what a remarkable and unique guy he was and I'd
like to dedicate this part of my site to this wonderful man, fine musician
and dear brother.
He was such a good musical influence on me and always tried to point me in good directions. I remember when I was 13 years old, playing along to my Slade LP and he'd say "Er.....No" and hand me a Weather Report or Mahavishnu Orchestra album.
Tommy taught me the importance of ear development and musical versatility, how to extend and reharmonise chords to achieve different, subtle musicaI colours.
He always stressed the importance of being a good and sympathetic accompanist and he was always supportive and full of encouragement.
Tommy was the text book "child prodigy" he began piano lessons at the age of 4 and galloped through the classical grades with ease but "sold his soul to rock and roll" in his teens when he also began playing guitar.
Our Dad was a pub pianist and Tommy would often play gigs with him but being underage in the 60s, he wasn't allowed in so he would stand playing guitar in the car park with a long cable going through the window to his amp and a long plastic pipe leading to me Dad's pint!!
He joined his first pro band at age 16 playing the overseas American Airbases as a fully fledged guitar player.
On returning to Sheffield, it wasn't long before he was snapped up by Joe Cocker's original Grease Band, arranging and playing organ on "With a Little Help from my Friends" when he was just 19.
In 1968, he moved to London and was soon involved with a succession of "Jazz Rock" bands including Mark-Almond, Riff Raff and Zzebra as well as more commercial acts, playing on Gerry Rafferty's albums including "Baker Street" also touring and recording with "The Sensational Alex Harvey Band".
Tommy
was much in demand by producers for his innate musicianship and ability to
quickly play exactly what was right for the song while still adding his own
distinct style.
In the 80s, Tommy became musical director for George Michael's "Wham" playing on all their hits "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go", "Club Tropicana" "Freedom", etc. This was followed by Tommy's "Heavy Metal" period when he toured and recorded with Greg Lake, Ian Gillan, Michael Schenker and Gary Moore among others as well as keeping a busy session schedule.
Tommy relocated to the USA in 1990, living first in New York and finally in Los Angeles.He very quickly found his feet in America and it wasn't long before he was getting called for album sessions with BB King, Mick Jagger, Tracy Chapman and Darryl Hall.
Tommy and I did quite a bit of session work and touring together and it was always a pleasure and an education (and a hangover) I miss those days.
They don't make 'em like Tommy anymore; he was a no-bullshit Yorkshireman with the soul of a Rock and Roller and the harmonic sophistication and intellect of the best Jazzmen.
He was the ultimate accompanist and an exciting and inspired soloist.
He loved Thelonius Monk, Bela Bartok and Chuck Berry in equal measures.
A total and complete musician, his playing was always an event and his compositions could chill you to the bone, melt your heart or just make you wanna get up and dance.
He drank a lot, laughed a lot and he loved life, his family and his many friends, I miss him every day.
Sweet Dreams T.
A full biog and discography of Tommy's full and varied career can be found here:
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palladium/2214/teyre_b.htm
