Obit: Brian Hibbard (Flying Pickets) June 2012

Subject: Obit: Brian Hibbard (Flying Pickets)
From: greg stephens
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 07:09 AM

Brian Hibbard, of Flying Pickets fame, has sadly died. He was the lead singer of the group, and had a smash hit with "Only You" which made the Christmas No 1 spot. The group was formed by actors in the 7.84 company, the radical political theatre group, and took their name from actions in the 1970's Heath/miners' strike(not the later Scargill/Thatcher one, as myth would have it). I thought people would like to hear him singing Adrian Mitchell's "Victor Jara of Chile", as a tribute to Brian's ucompromising commitment to radical causes and theatre: and as a tribute to Adrian's commitment, come to think of it! Brian's death is a personal loss to me in many ways, particularly as we had planned to work together this summer, he was going to record Victor Jara for the new Boat Band CD. Alas, that collaboration will not be happening, but he will be remembered. He fought the good fight, and he was a fabulous singer. And of course he had spectacularly impresive sideburns. Nice one, Brian.
Brian Hibbard sings "Victor Jara of Chile"

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Hibbard (Flying Pickets)
From: RWJ
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 07:27 AM

I did not reaise that he did so much for the cause, makes it an even greater loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Hibbard (Flying Pickets)
From: greg stephens
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 07:43 AM

If you would like to be reminded of just how impressive Brian's sidies were in 1983, have a look at "Only You"

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Hibbard (Flying Pickets)
From: GUEST,grumpy
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 01:00 PM

Sad, but the best version of 'Only You' was always the original.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hpkP2mb4SA

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Hibbard (Flying Pickets)
From: GUEST,Mike Feist
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 01:31 PM

Sad - another man done gone. I saw the Pickets many years ago do an excellent gig at a town planners conference. Apart from 'Only you', their versions of 'Masters of War' and 'Working in a coal mine'were brilliant.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Hibbard (Flying Pickets)
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 01:49 PM

I saw the Pickets perform many years ago at Buxton Opera House. We had taken the kids for a short break in Buxton and just happened to notice the poster in a shop window. A great two hour set of music and poetry with plenty of left wing politics thrown in - an invaluable part of the kid's education!

Incidentally we went to watch the olympic torch traverse Knaresborough high street on Tuesday and I noticed that all of the many police vehicles carried a "metropolitan police" logo. I commented to my neighbour that probably the last that they were this far north (or had as much overtime) was during the miner's strike.

R

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Hibbard (Flying Pickets)
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 01:52 PM

should have read "the last time"

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Hibbard (Flying Pickets)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 07:46 PM

They used to do a good version of Psycho Killer (Qu'est que ce?)

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Hibbard (Flying Pickets)
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 11:04 PM

My condolences, greg and thanks for the links. Only You is beautiful. Very sad to hear of such talent now gone.

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Hibbard (Flying Pickets) June 2012
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jun 12 - 11:11 PM

His Victor Jara is stunning with excellent backup...well done. Doubly sad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Hibbard (Flying Pickets) June 2012
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 22 Jun 12 - 03:26 AM

That just reminded me that, after seeing them in Buxton I went out and bought their (vinyl) album that contained psycho killer etc. Having played the vinyl to death years ago I bought the CD version about three months ago.

R