Obit: Charlie Gillett

Subject: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 05:08 PM

I've just heard on the BBC News that Charlie Gillett has died.
I know he has been ill but I wasn't expecting it so soon.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: glueman
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 05:21 PM

That's sad. He's been part of the music scene as long as I can remember.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: Will Fly
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 05:25 PM

What a great shame. I well remember his Radio London shows from the 1970s, and many other broadcasts by him. He was an absolute expert on blues, jazz, ragtime and a whole host of musical formats. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 05:41 PM

Can't believe this.....Bless you old friend.
Bugger.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: GUEST,someonewholistenedalot
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 06:45 PM

Very sad about this. His programmes introduced me to such a lot of good stuff. He seemed like such a lovely man.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 06:55 PM

A link to his latest broadcast (13 March 2010)

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: Emma B
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 06:56 PM

Oh no! I hadn't heard this - I will miss listening to him in those insomniac times on the World Service

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 07:16 PM

Emma
I had the joy of recording hundreds of those World Service programmes with Charlie.
Bless him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: johnadams
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 07:56 PM

I only met him once when Chris Coe and I played live on his Radio London programme about 4 or 5 years ago. He was a very welcoming sort of man and obviously had a huge knowledge of music and even though he didn't seem to be much impressed with English trad folk, he was good to work with. A true broadcast professional.

I know he'll be greatly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 08:05 PM

Very sad news indeed. Charlie was a great champion for music that he felt people needed to hear, and his enthusiasm was utterly infectious.

My condolences to his family.

Matthew

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 09:37 PM

Great affection for African music, and he introdued me to some I wouldn't otherwise have heard.
I too enjoyed listening to him on World Service, in the wee small hours.

RIP Charlie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 03:14 AM

We used to pre record the programmes on a Tuesday morning! What a great job to have.
I don't think that Charlie ever "got" English music, but, we had long discussions about it's relevance etc.
And he appreciated that, although it wasn't his thing, it was important, but doing niceley without his help.
But, he was championing other musical forms that had no voice in the media.
And he did it supremely well.

There will be thousands of World Service listeners in many far distant countries who will mourn his passing.
As do I.
Ralphie

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 05:16 AM

This BBC web page has more links that you can listen to:

http://search.bbc.co.uk/search?suggid=iplayertleo%3Ap002vsns&uri=%2Fradio3%2Fpresenters%2F&go=toolbar&q=Charlie+Gillett%27s+Worl

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 05:28 AM

Thanks for the link topsie.
How poignant that he signs off with "See you next week"
Bless him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: GUEST,Daddy Paul
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 05:53 AM

Just found out the news here, absolutely gutted, no more Radio Ping Pong, I have listened to Charlie from the days when Capital was a proper radio station, it's a huge loss RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 06:07 AM

And don't forget his books: 'The Sound of the City' especially, and his compilation albums. Truly a national treasure.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: Les from Hull
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 10:44 AM

The double CDs of 'world' music he produced every year introduced me to so many good artists right around the world. Thank you Charlie for championing their music.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: GUEST,bernieandred
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 01:43 PM

Sad. So pleased that someone mentioned "Sound of the City', great book.
I think it's still in print, if you haven't read it, make sure you do.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 02:35 PM

Very sad. A great loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 04:51 PM

A great shame. I also read and loved his SOTC book. A champion of much interesting music. RIP Mr. Gillett.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 05:54 PM

Enjoyed the music but also found he was a
Man generous of his time and kind to strangers.
Will miss his enthusiasm and love of music.
Best wishes to his friends and family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: NormanD
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 06:22 PM

I don't know of anyone who is so highly regarded in the music biz, and respected for his openness and honesty. He could have been a very rich man, but integrity got in the way - he only ever played music that he liked himself, and would rarely play anything that didn't meet his own tastes. But he gave so many new and unknown performers a chance, by playing their records or giving them a two or three song slot on his radio show.

I really can't believe he won't be with us any more. He's honestly been part of my listening life for over 35 years.

He was a real mensch, a fine man. I'll miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: Emma B
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 12:16 PM

Just listened to a tribute on BBC Radio 4's weekly obituary programme 'Last Word'

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: Surreysinger
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 01:06 PM

Heard Ian Anderson, Brian Eno et al giving their tributes to him on the World Service in the wee small hours last night, which was exactly the sort of hours when I used to listen to him. He filled many an insomniac hour for me over the last few years, and the impression one got of him was exactly what most people who knew him have been reporting - a gentleman, an enthusiast ,and kindly person who cared about his music, and his audience. The music itself wasn't always to my taste, but what came across was his enthusiasm, which prompted you to know more. I'll miss those early morning World Radio programmes.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: NormanD
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 06:29 AM

Hundreds of comments / tributes / memories on Charlie's website here. Please feel free to add your own.

Subject: RE: Obit: Charlie Gillett
From: GUEST,peter culshaw
Date: 20 Mar 10 - 04:13 PM

http://www.charliegillett.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14084

Amazing outpouring of heart-felt tributes at Charlie's site, above. Everyone including his post-man. Hundreds.
I've put up a small tribute at theartsdesk.com:
http://www.theartsdesk.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1201:charlie-gillett-1942-2010-music-feature&Itemid=29. which includes a version of an interview I did with the man in 2007 for The Daily Telegraph.

A lovely man,with rare integrity.