I have been friends with Martin Smith for many years. Over the years he has
done a number of nice things for me, but the one I will remember most is
receiving a phone call at work about 6 years ago. Upon answering the phone
I heard a voice say, "I have someone here who wants to say hello." Then I heard
the voice of one of my keyboard heroes, Woolly Wolstenholme. That day I spent
about twenty minutes (at Martin's expense, mind you) speaking to someone who I
had admired for more than 34 years. Woolly was very nice and easy to talk to. I
don't remember everything we talked about but it was something I will never
forget.
Later, in 2009, I was fortunate to work with Woolly and BJH at ROSfest.
From our first greeting he could not have been a warmer, nicer man. Actually,
everyone in the band treated me like a brother. I spent about half the weekend
with the band and I had a chance to have Woolly sit in my hotel room and show me
all sorts of things on the Mellotron (386) that I just happened to have in my
room. We spent time chatting about our lives and his music. He told me that this
was still early in his musical career... That he wasn't winding down or even
just cruising along. He told me that he had written lots of song and had a head
full of ideas. He seem so optimistic. By that time, I was 7 months into my
sobriety. I enjoyed one drink with Woolly. It is the last one I have had and
will remain such.
Woolly and Martin were best friends, so I can imagine the pain Martin and
all of those close to Woolly must be feeling. As you all know, I recently lost
my brother. In a way, we have all lost another. He was truly a decent man and a
great talent.
Some of my treasured memories of a great performer and a very nice
guy.
Frank
In a message dated 12/14/2010 10:12:24 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
tronbros@aol.com writes:
Woolly Wolsenholme, founder member of Barclay James Harvest and one of my dearest friends took his life on Monday after a long bout of depression. http://www.bjharvest.co.uk/Best,Martin