Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)

Subject: Obit: Dave Shannon
From: alex s
Date: 28 Feb 13 - 05:30 PM

Message from Sam Bracken:

Hello friends.

It is with deep regret that I have to tell you that Dave Shannon passed away peacefully in the early hours of 28th February after a battle with cancer.

Yours aye.
Sam.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon
From: alex s
Date: 28 Feb 13 - 05:31 PM

A lovely feller and a fine musician.

RIP bonny lad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon
From: GUEST,Robbie H Thomas
Date: 28 Feb 13 - 06:38 PM

So sad to hear - a grand man and a fine musician...

Many happy memories (from back in the day) of seeing Therapy in various folk clubs up and down the land..

Dave's guitar and metronome duet still brings a smile to my ears....

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon
From: GUEST,John James
Date: 28 Feb 13 - 07:14 PM

Hearing about Dave dieing was indeed a shock,even though I am having to cope,as indeed we all are, with far too much sad news over the last few years.
Dave Shannon first arrived on the London folk scene playing guitar duets with Sam Bracken .They had a varied rep. Dave would turn up at some of my gigs with Sam & play 12th Street Rag !
Then after the days with Fiona( Therapy) I knew him as a BBC Radio sound/eng./producer in Manchester.
He worked with John Leonard.
Dave Shannon very talented musician, great bloke.
So sad for his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 03:11 AM

It's funny what you recall.
I loved Therapy, and - for some reason - I remember Dave playing a ragtime piece on the piano, and apologising - in advance - to Joshua Rifkin ( the famous player of ragtime music).
Why I remember that particular comment, God only knows.
Anyway, thanks Dave for entertaining me beautifully back in the day.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 04:06 AM

sorry to hear this. i never knew Dave, but I saw Therapy several times. As you say - a good musician. A good solid act - one that could communicate folksong to general audiences.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Graham Bradshaw
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 04:20 AM

Happy memories of Dave and Sam back in the 60s and later with Fiona of course.
Always good fun, and a fine musician.
As JJ says above, far too many just recently.
RIP Dave.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 04:44 AM

I'm proud to have known and played with Dave over the oast few years. I owe him such a lot. A fine musician, an outstanding person and someone who I will really miss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 08:00 AM

Sad news. I booked Sam and Dave at Manchester University Folk Song Society back in 1971, possibly 1972, and afterwards, Dave, with Fiona as Therapy, came to the folk club in Crewe many times.
Derek

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 10:01 AM

As always, it's difficult to know what to say when new such as this reaches you. I've known Dave for as long as I've known anyone else on the folk circuit but our paths didn't cross after he left to become a full time producer. I was told he was ill a couple of years ago but such news always comes as a shock.

Great musician, great wit, who will be sadly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: Bernard
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 10:10 AM

So sad.

It's not that long ago that he and Sam, along with Sam's wife, Elaine, were touring as 'Alternative Therapy'! We had them at the Open Door folk club on 12th October 2008.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Ballyholme
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 02:47 PM

I was saddened to hear of Dave Shannon's passing. An exceptional guitar player, he was one of the stand-out musicians of the Belfast scene in the 1960s – first with Folk Union and then with in a duo with Sam Bracken.

He was also generous with his talent and frequently offered advice to aspiring guitarists – never in a "clever Dick" way but with a modesty and grace typical of Dave.

My condolences to his wife Linda and son Davy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 03:40 PM

Bernard, Loose Change buskers,
Dave was a supporter and player with us for as long as he could, busking and raising thousands of pounds for Cancer Research, and without a doubt raising the bar performance wise. We have a lost an excellent musician and most of us a good friend.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Chris Muriel
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 03:55 PM

Yup- Dave acted as a great musical kingpin for our Loose Change buskers group for CRUK.
He was equally impressive on keyboards or guitar and happy to advise other budding musicians with useful and constructive ideas...

Chris Muriel, Sale, Cheshire

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,col
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 05:03 PM

Dave was a talented and humble musician. He advised folk how to play their own instruments. He also was, more importantly, good company and easy to be around.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Dave Eatock
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 06:21 PM

A lovely guy, great friend and wonderful entertainer who I am very proud to have known.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: alex s
Date: 01 Mar 13 - 07:02 PM

It would be very good if someone could pass these comments on to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,ken jackson
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 03:10 AM

it,s so hard to start to say anything when someone as generous ,warm witty , humourous such as Dave passes . one of the world,s true gentlemen in every sense of the word. Dave will be greatly missed by so many .he was an inspiration to me and many others .
our thoughts go out to Linda and son Dave ,a lovely man .
ken and wendy

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Lynne Holden
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 03:59 AM

Ex-BBC colleagues are deeply saddened at the loss of such a talented, thoroughly decent man. It was a privilege to have known and worked with Dave and the world will be a poorer place without him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Musket sans cookie
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 04:15 AM

One Night Stand was possibly more than any other my inspiration as to how to approach folk. My brother brought the album back after seeing Therapy in the early 70s and the teenage me was fascinated by it.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Dave Arrowsmith
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 05:35 AM

So sorry to hear about Dave.

We met only 3 or 4 times but got on really well.

He was a very friendly guy and I'll miss him.

Hope his charity work buddies continue and is fruitful. He would have wanted that.

Buy Dave

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 05:36 AM

It was a privilege to have known Dave and to spend time in his company everybody has there own personal memories on just how he affected there lives, and mine will remain with me forever,

Patrick O'Connor

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 06:05 AM

Privileged to have have busked with Dave Shannon for Loose Change buskers. A lovely man, laconically funny, effortlessly good on vocals, keyboards and guitar, and a delight to play with. He'll be missed, and remembered.
Steve, a drummer.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 07:35 AM

A very warmhearted, talented musician and man. It was a pleasure to know him and all buskers like myself will miss him.I will play my heart out tomorrow in Knutsford in memory of him-rest in peace or entertain the angels!
Johnny Carr

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Tony Marchell
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 08:16 AM

As we all go through life we sometimes, if we are lucky, meet a human being who has such an impact on us that he or she becomes part of us in one way or an other. Dave was such a man. From the very first time we met he became one of the biggest influences to me both as a musician and a person. Even bumping into him whilst walking the dog round Sale water park one day gave me a buzz that lasted all week. Such a warm hearted and generous soul who is going to be sadly missed but will live in my head and heart for years to come.

Tony

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Pete Royle
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 08:33 AM

Just realized , first met Dave 40 years ago ,last met 2 years ago !
Never heard him say bad word about anybody ,always affable ,friendly
very eager to give helping hand (Played fine piano on two of my
recorded songs ) .I asked , he didn't hesitate , said yes right away.

My sincere condolences to linda and family

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Tony M
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 10:24 AM

Dave was a great musician and a lovely bloke. I have a couple of musical memories; he played a great accompaniment to "Thunder Road", and he was kind enough to play some much-appreciated "lounge lizard" stuff at my 65th. My condolences to Dave's family and friends.

Tony M

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 04:44 PM

Like many others here we booked Dave and Sam, and later Therapy, at our club and have many fond memories of an excellent musician. Very sorry to hear this news.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Guest - Jim Younger
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 06:01 PM

Sorry about this sad news. Mr Shannon was a very fine instrumentalist and arranger (nice singer too) and a decent guy. I remember him particularly from working on Sing High Sing Low (1972), where he wrote out an impromptu part for the BBC oboe player, right there and then, no sweat. Respect.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: Betsy
Date: 02 Mar 13 - 08:17 PM

What a lovely decent man and fine musician. Our hearts go out to his nearest and dearest especially Sam and Fiona.
God Bless

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Ted Taylor
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 08:04 AM

The good always seem to die young.

Dave was a good person, and a good musician. Actually he was a very good person and a very good musician.

I can't find words to surpass what's already been written about him.

I wish I'd been able to share more performances with him; every time I played alongside him it made me up my game!

I'll miss him terribly, both as a musician, as a person, and as a friend.

It was a priviledge to know him.

With a heavy heart,

Ted.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: MikeL2
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 08:35 AM

Hi

I knew Dave in the Therapy days. I admired him both as a man and a musician.

My condolences to Dave's family and friends

MikeL2

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Paul Smith
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 08:38 AM

I was lucky enough to work for Dave, as an engineer at the BBC, recording blues, pop and varying ensembles for Radio 1&2.

After "Therapy", He started the Blues programme for Radio 2 with Paul Jones and quickly made the programme a "must" for anyone interested in the genre. I was lucky enough to record many of the American guests with him for the show.

The Christie Hospital charity, for which he raised lots of funds, would I'm sure, appreciate donations in his name.

http://www.christie.nhs.uk/the-christie-charity/donate.aspx

condolences to Linda and Davy

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: Colin Randall
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 12:12 PM

Of all the fine people who visited the diffeent folk clubs I ran in the North East of England, Therapy mae a special impression - for their musicianship and talent, of course, but also for their wit, friendliness and charm (that applies to Fiona and Sam, too). I'll never forget Dave introducing Blackwaterside at the Spinning Wheel in Darlington, directly after Cat Stevens's Wide World if I remember correctly, with the words: "And now for those who thought they were going into a folk club and wondered what had gone wrong ...."

Wonderful memories of Dave. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Sam Bracken
Date: 04 Mar 13 - 03:54 PM

Dave was born and raised in Belfast, where he attended Queen's University. He graduated with a first in history and history of music. Following his graduation he taught at a Quaker school in Lisburn (Friends School).

His main instruments were piano and guitar and he was interested in all styles of music, including classical, jazz, blues, old-timey and bluegrass. He was especially keen on guitar pickers such as Doc Watson.

One of Dave's first forays into performing was with his brother John's group, The Black Mountain Boys, who played a mix of bluegrass and old-timey music. John was a fine guitar and five string banjo player and he was supplemented by John Boomer (guitar and vocals) and Colin Wilkinson (mandolin and vocals).

Following the demise of the 'Boys', Dave, John (Boomer) and Colin recruited Gillian McPherson (an excellent singer and guitarist) to broaden their sound. They were called Folk Union and covered a wide range of material from bluegrass to contemporary folk music and singer/songwriters. It was here that Dave's talent for arrangements came to the fore. For example, an acoustic treatment of the Jimi Hendrix hit 'Hey Joe', an unlikely song for a folk group but, thanks to Dave's arrangement, it worked. They were extremely successful before disbanding during the late 1960's.

It was around this time that I heard through the grapevine of Dave's talent and virtuosity as a guitar picker. I therefore went to watch Dave play tunes at a gig at the Imperial Hotel in Belfast.   The tunes included Doc Watson's 'Windy and Warm' and Davy Graham's 'Angie'.   I made myself known to Dave and asked him for advice on how to improve my playing, little realising that this meeting would be life changing for both of us.

Dave invited me to his house to play with local guitar hero Mike Adamson. Mike (known on the scene as 'Sez') was an amazing guitarist who played with local electric R&B bands.

Apart from the sheer enjoyment of these sessions, my abiding memory is one of sore fingers. This would recur throughout our musical association, as Dave was a relentless rehearser and an excellent arranger.

We then decided to get a few sets together and play on the local folk scene where we featured a mixture of blues and ragtime, including a multi key arrangement of 12th Street Rag.

It was around this time that Dave met his wife to be, Linda Wright. He always used to say that he had met "Miss Right".

We had the opportunity of playing at all the major clubs in the north of Ireland and appeared on local BBC TV and radio, as well as the commercial station UTV.

Dave then suggested that we try our luck on the British folk scene. We therefore came over to England in October 1969. The love of his life, Linda, came to England to join Dave and soon after they married and settled in the Greater Manchester area.   

There were literally hundreds of folk clubs throughout Britain during the 60's and 70's, so a basic living could be made. We toured extensively before recruiting Fiona Simpson, at which time Therapy came into existence. Therapy was one of the most popular acts on the scene and appeared at the 1971 Cambridge Folk Festival.   We also released an LP 'Almanac' on the CBS label that same year. All the songs on the LP were written and arranged by Dave.

I left Therapy in the autumn of 1971 to concentrate on solo gigs and Dave and Fiona carried on as an extremely successful duo for a number of years, before Dave gave up the rigours of the travelling musician to join the BBC where he produced the Paul Jones R & B Show and also Bob Harris Country, amongst others. During this time he made several trips to the USA to record international country artistes.

After a long and successful career at the 'Beeb', Dave retired at the beginning of the millennium and started to play again with local musicians in his adopted home town of Sale.

The Belfast Reunion Concert held at The Waterfront Hall in 2006 gave Dave the opportunity to play with his old mates from Folk Union. Furthermore, it gave Dave and I an excuse to relive some of our old numbers and enlist my wife, Elaine, in the closing number.

We got such a buzz from the concert that on our return to England, we decided to get together and rehearse material and try for gigs on the northwest folk scene. All we needed was a name and, as a result, 'Alternative Therapy' came into being.

After a few years playing at most of the best folk clubs in the north, Dave had to quit performing due to problems with his health.

Fortunately, Dave was well enough to play duets with his son Davy, an accomplished guitar player, on the occasion of Davy's marriage to Jo in the autumn of 2012.

Musician, arranger, guitarist, pianist, mentor, teacher, composer, singer and most of all, a good friend.   He will be sorely missed by all that knew him. He is survived by his wife Linda and son Davy.

Dave Shannon
Born 7 February 1946 Belfast
Died 28 February 2013 Manchester

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Linda. Miss TSB
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 11:04 AM

Spent many happy hours watching Dave and Fiona as Thearpy when they were on tour with Max Boyce. Such sad news.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: Colin Randall
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 11:41 AM

Sam. Unfortunate to appear on the same thread so many years after we last met and in sad circumstances.

It won't be seen otherwise so I'd be grateful if you could pass on this link (to my own appreciation) to Dave's loved ones, with whom my thought are today:


http://www.salutlive.com/2013/03/dave-shannon-rip.html

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Sam Bracken
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 02:25 PM

Colin - Yes, sad circumstances indeed. Elaine and I have roller coaster emotions at the moment. I hope that you are well. Where do you live and what are you up to these days? Kind regards. Sam

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Guest - Jim Younger
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 04:35 PM

Thanks to Sam Bracken for his words about Dave Shannon.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: Colin Randall
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 05:11 PM

Sam: I'm conscious that this is Dave's thread and rightly so. I cannot send a PM since you're logged on as a guest but drop me a note at [e-mail] and I'll bring you up to date. Fond memories.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Dave Walmsley
Date: 09 Mar 13 - 07:03 AM

Dave Shannon moved to Sale with his wife Linda in the early 1970s and joined the club as a hockey player. He was by then well established on the folk circuit in a duo (formerly a trio including another Irish musician, Sam Bracken) with Fiona Simpson called Therapy. Fiona, with a voice very similar to Joni Mitchell, did most of the lead vocals, with Dave accompanying her on the guitar, harmonising and doing his own vocals. They were musically excellent, but the thing which endeared them further to folk audiences was Dave's easy and witty patter. As with his musical arrangement, Dave managed to make his patter appear natural, unforced and off the cuff. His warm and engaging personality created an intimacy and appeal which made Therapy hugely popular with audiences as well as with other artists on the same circuit – including Mike Harding, Jake Thackeray, Jasper Carrott , Bernard Wrigley, Cosmotheka and 1812 – all of whom Dave brought to the club (at special rates) at different times for a series of folk evenings which packed the ballroom. Dave also appeared in a number of the reviews which I wrote and directed at this time where his brilliance in holding things together musically given an amateur cast and hurried last minute rehearsals not only revealed his fantastic skill (he had perfect pitch)but also his lack of self-importance. He was a gifted but modest and self-effacing man. Many years later, we worked together when I directed 'Oliver'at Sale Grammar School – with his son, Davy, and my sons in the cast – and he played the piano and re-arranged the music to suit the pitch of inexperienced vocalists. Again, he revealed a willingness to roll his sleeves up, work hard and bring his fantastic ability to bear without any hint of superiority.
Meanwhile Dave was a long-serving and gutsy centre half, largely on the hockey second team and later the vets, and in his hockey he again showed his character. He worked tirelessly (he was a keen trainer) and strained every sinew to make a tackle or to reach a pass. He was fiercely competitive – yet utterly sporting, courteous and fair-minded.
Moving from his life as a performer, Dave became a producer with the BBC, working with Mark Lamarr, Paul Jones and the great 'Whispering' Bob Harris. Dave was a through and knowledgeable professional, working long hours to stitch his programmes together and to provide his presenters with the material that made them seem to be founts of knowledge. His greatest pleasure in his long time with Radio 2, was his frequent trips to Nashville where the music he most loved (his tastes were catholic and as well as country he loved classical music, especially renaissance music and jazz) was staged at the Grand Ole Opry. His only fault was his self-critical perfectionism which sometimes stressed him and caused him to drive himself and work long hours.
Fifteen years or so ago, Joe Holt, Tony Roberts and I persuaded Dave to take up tennis and as a relative beginner he joined us nearly every Friday evening for many years (the beginnings of the current Friday night squad.) He soon got the hang of the game and exhibited all the same qualities he had elsewhere. He never gave up on the ball – always chasing it down believing he could get it back – and frequently doing so. He never disputed a line call and always gave praise while accepting it modestly. In the bar, as in any setting, he was a great conversationalist and a ready wit.
Dave Shannon was a fine and admirable man of incredible talent and character. We shall all miss him and feel that he, and we, have been cruelly cheated of his third career. Dave had returned to being a performer, whether jamming informally with like-minded enthusiasts, playing in the streets for charity with Loose Change (they have raised £50,000 for Cancer Research) or playing gigs like the sessions at the club so enjoyed by myself and his other followers – and the larger functions in the ballroom such as those to raise money for the club or for the village school in Nepal. Even for his closest fans, the Monday session crowd, Dave put in a fantastic effort in arrangement and rehearsal, never repeating a number, always a store of knowledge, always humble, grateful for applause, a witty response at hand for any heckle or banter, a quiet satisfaction at a job superbly done. To watch him at close quarters was a privilege – his guitar playing was brilliant as was his work on the key board; he was a musician, and a man, of the highest order – we have been privileged to have our lives touched by him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Ric and Helen Stewart
Date: 10 Mar 13 - 11:32 AM

Happy memories of playing table football at Sale Hockey Club and how he always wanted to win but in a nice way. He came to my 25th Hockey Game at Brooklands which had many very good Hockey players and said he was surprised to be asked but the day was for my friends and not just for Hockey. I am sure that he enjoyed the day meeting and talking to people he had not seen for a while. He and Linda came to my 60th Birthday party and again spoke to many of my friends from Brooklands. He was a great Guy and will be remembered for that.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Dave & Gill Lyon
Date: 11 Mar 13 - 01:06 PM

Dave was indeed a thoroughly decent chap with a great sense of humour. We are proud to have counted him as a friend and have many happy memories. Our hearts go out to Linda and Davy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Mar 13 - 04:51 AM

Iris Shannon

I am writing this on behalf of John, David's older brother
who is very ill and has been in ICU in City Hopsital for
last 7 weeks. I haven't told him yet of David's passing it
will be very difficult as David was his 'wee brother'. David
was such a lovley gentle man and typical of him in his last
weeks he was calling me most nights for an update on John's
condition worrying more about John than himself. He was so
talented musically as were all the Shannon family he was funny,
entertaining and a great musuican. We had the pleasure of
Linda and Daves company at John's 70th Birthday lunch in Bowness
in The Lake District. It was a lovely happy day and John and
Dave sat in the garden and talked for hours. This is the memory
that i will cherish. My thoughts are with Linda and Dave. Iris

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Iris Shannon
Date: 22 Mar 13 - 05:06 AM

Above tribute was from me. Sorry i know this is David's thread
but i did want to say if anyone wants an update on John they can email me on
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Nicki H
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 04:39 PM

Hilarious memories of Dave brightening a very earnest BBC radio production course in the mid-80s. Funny, talented and unassuming. Would there were more like him around.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Chris Muriel
Date: 15 Apr 13 - 08:36 AM

Dave Shannon Tribute gig in Sale, Sunday April 21st 2013...
http://www.facebook.com/events/156217651206905/

A gathering of friends to celebrate the contribution Dave Shannon made to our lives.
Sunday 21st April from 2-00 till late, Dave Shannon Tribute at

Sale Hockey & Tennis Club Clarendon Crescent M33 2DE Sale.
Open mic with backing if required.
All friends, colleagues, musicians are welcome. There will be a drum kit, p.a. guitar and bass amps provided, and a keyboard if required. Put your name on the list when you arrive, there'll be no pre booking and no prioritising. 20 minute slots initially.Solo and bands welcome no doubt there'll be several ad hoc combinations over the event.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Jim Ronayne
Date: 03 Jun 13 - 07:49 AM

Only found out this weekend. Beautiful man, amazing musician. Would loved to have played at the tribute concert. My thoughts with Linda and Davy, Sam, Fiona, and their families God bless you all.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Howard Fullbrook
Date: 25 Jun 13 - 10:55 AM

I've only just heard and I'm really saddened to learn of the passing of Dave Shannon. I first met him when he and Sam Bracken played at the Farnborough Folk Club, in the very early 70's, and thought him a thoroughly nice person and a great musician. It was at Farnborough that Dave and Sam met the very young Fiona Simpson who was a resident at the club back then.
My thoughts are with his family.

Howard Fullbrook

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: Old Grey Wolf
Date: 25 Jun 13 - 01:57 PM

So sorry to hear about Dave's passing. We saw him with Fiona as Therapy at R.A.F. Bruggen, Germany in the early 70's, and bumped into them a few years later when we gave them a lift at the Fleetwood folk festival. They told us they were performing at the festival hotel, and we were most embarressed when they told us who they were - we hadn't recognised them! He lives on in his music.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Terry Gibson
Date: 06 Sep 13 - 06:32 AM

Sad news indeed, I have many happy memories of Sam and Dave in the early years and later Therapy in the North East, particularly remember cramming into the back of their mini van which they travelled around in at that time to take them from Middlesbrough Folk Club to the Town Hall to perform there as well on the same night. Every time I met and talked to Dave he just came over as a great guy, very helpful, friendly and to a singer and guitarist of much lesser ability such as myself always encouraging.
Sadly missed,thoughts are with his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,Ed and Pete - ex-Mary's Folk Club, Durham
Date: 19 Oct 13 - 05:31 PM

Greatly saddened to hear of Dave's passing. We saw Therapy on several occasions at Mary's Folk Club, Durham University, as well as at other venues during the early 70s. He was indeed a most talented musician, and with his wit,humour and warmth, he was a performer of the highest quality who fully engaged with the audience on every occasion. Most of all though he was simply a really good bloke who has given so much pleasure and many good memories to all of us fortunate enough to have met him and/or to have seen him perform. Our sincere condolences to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST,GUEST, Heather Whittaker
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 04:54 PM

I have only just caught up with this very sad news, being, as I am, somewhat removed from the folk scene these days. Shocked and truly saddened to read of Dave's illness and passing.   All that could possibly be said about this lovely, supremely talented and modest man has already been expressed so fully by other contributors, so I shall just add that I hope he continues to be at peace.   In his life on this earth, he gave to those whose paths he crossed so many beautiful and everlasting memories, not just through his musical expertise, but through being a thoroughly decent human being. Thoughts and prayers to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Shannon (UK) (28 Feb 2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Nov 14 - 01:32 PM

Oh my word. Just heard about the passing of dear Dave. He was an incredible inspiration to myself and indeed thousands of other folkies. I personally, toured with Dave & Fiona many times all over the world and as a new bloke on the block, he took me under his wing and literally, showed me the ropes. He was the most incredible guitarist I've worked with or heard and a sense of humour to only dream of, utter brilliance.
I have always missed you Dave, but, even more so now. God bless you dear friend.
Dave (Brandywine Bridge)
Reverend D J Grew