Obit: Geoff Bodenham (1944-2015)

Subject: Obit: Geoff Bodenham
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Nov 15 - 01:59 PM

No-one has mentioned Geoff Bodenham's passing this year, although there are numerous mudcat threads referring to him.

Subject: Obit: Geoff Bodenham - 1944 - April 2015
From: GUEST,#
Date: 12 Nov 15 - 02:02 PM

Obit at

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2015/04/21/tributes-paid-to-black-country-performer/

Subject: Obit: Geoff Bodenham - 1944 - April 2015
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Nov 15 - 02:46 PM

Until looking at the recently updated thread on his "1812" duo with Derek Craft, I was entirely ignorant of him.

Subject: Obit: Geoff Bodenham - 1944 - April 2015
From: maeve
Date: 12 Nov 15 - 06:29 PM

From #'s link above (Thank you, # ):

"Geoff Bodenham performed in clubs and pubs across the Black Country, Shropshire and the wider and the UK. He died this month aged 71.

Mr Bodenham's early music career saw him appear on The Black and White Minstrel Show and as a contestant on Opportunity Knocks with flautist Derek Craft - finishing runners-up to Bobby Crush.

Geoff later taught English, maths and music in schools and prisons, eventually becoming head of music at Codsall Middle School.

He died at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on April 11 following a short illness, aged 71.

Over a period of 20 years, despite having three open heart operations, he spent a lot of his time singing and running folk clubs.

He was born in Kingswinford and then lived in Codsall, Codsall Wood and eventually settled in Bridgnorth."

Subject: Obit: Geoff Bodenham - 1944 - April 2015
From: maeve
Date: 12 Nov 15 - 06:31 PM

Here's the rest of the obituary from the same link from # :

"Geoff, who was known for his rich voice, fine guitar playing and sense of humour, ran the Summerhouse pub in Kingswood with his wife, Joan, for one year.

They bought the Bell and Talbot pub in Bridgnorth, which they ran for eight years, and he later served as a town councillor from 2007 to 2013.

Geoff was a former president of the Bridgnorth Licensed Victuallers' Association and a member of the Castle Lodge of Freemasons.

He also took part in a triple zip-wire challenge over Snowdonia six months ago for his 70th birthday, with his daughter Helen.

Geoff was still a co-opted member of Bridgnorth Town Council's planning committee when he passed away.

Wife Joan said Geoff was loved by all who knew him.

"Geoff was dearly loved and will be sadly missed by all his family and by everyone who knew him," she said.

Anne Wilson, clerk of Bridgnorth Town Council, added that he was a respected and active member of the community.

"Geoff was valued town councillor during his time in office and a respected co-opted member of the planning committee," she said.

"He always had the town's best interests at heart and cared very much about Bridgnorth."

The funeral was held at St Mary's Church, Bridgnorth, yesterday, before moving on to Bridgnorth Cemetery.

A post funeral reception followed in the Castle Hall where musicians were encouraged to play songs.

Donations will be taken for both the British Heart Foundation and British Lung Foundation.

Geoff is survived by his mother Betty, wife Joan, daughters Liza and Helen, stepchildren Paul, Helen and Stephen, and eight grandchildren."

Subject: Obit: Geoff Bodenham - 1944 - April 2015
From: GUEST,John James
Date: 12 Nov 15 - 06:55 PM

Geoff Bodenham ...what a talent. If Geoff wasn't know to you, just a glance at his obit in one of his local papers, that has been pasted in above, will tell how much he managed to pack into his life. I knew Geoff from the very early 70's,when being booked at a folk club in the Midlands,and Geoff was kind enough to give me accom for the night. At the folk club, 1812 had played,the duo with Derek Craft, and I was knocked out by their repertoire, musicality and pro.performance. I think then they were represented by Finimigig ? something like that...an agency started by John Starkey & Jasper Carrot. They played spoof skits on well known pieces, very well played and very funny. Geoff had a broad musical knowledge,and of course Derek was a v.good musician. Geoff died last April, but I seem to remember him being ill very many years ago. But he was so active in the community, a lesson to us all. I have known many musicians who can just make it from the bar to the stage and back again !
Geoff Bodenham..great contribution...well done Geoff. Fare thee well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Geoff Bodenham-1812
From: GUEST,Pat Jackson
Date: 25 Jul 18 - 11:44 PM

Gosh
Quite upset to hear of Geoff’s passing
I knew him well once
So so sorry
RIP Geoff xpx

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Geoff Bodenham-1812
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jul 18 - 10:08 AM

This is what I found for an obit: https://jakethackray.com/forum/5-off-topic-threads/3559-geoff-bodenham-rip.html. This would make it April 11, 2015.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Geoff Bodenham-1812
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jul 18 - 10:09 AM

And this and https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2015/04/21/tributes-paid-to-black-country-performer/.

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Bodenham - 1944 - April 2015
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Jul 18 - 05:42 AM

Yes Geoff was a great talent. Like a lot of artists who could woo an audience with humorous introductions, his musicianship was probably not given the prominence and recognition that more po-faced contemporaries assumed as a right.

1812 were very funny. There was also a wonderful collaboration with poor John Dunkerley. They were lovely together. I remember in particular a great gig they did at the old Blackthorn folk club in Coleshill.

My abiding impression of Geof was when Denise got hit by rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 26. Geoff had suffered from this and was just so kind and spent ages one night talking to us at Laurie Ward's old club, offering us advice and encouragement. We felt so isolated at the time. And he was kindness itself.

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Bodenham - 1944 - April 2015
From: GUEST,Dave Hunt
Date: 27 Jul 18 - 08:08 AM

Geoff was one of the very early resident singers at the Giffard Folk Club in Wolverhampton - 1963 onwards. Lovely man and great musician.

Subject: RE: Obit: Geoff Bodenham (1944-2015)
From: GUEST,Dennis Littlehales
Date: 21 Jul 23 - 07:07 AM

I thought the forum would like to know that a number of recordings of Geoff have been made available on YouTube, with permission from Joan and Helen Bodenham.

Two Side of Geoff Bodenham

A Class of His Own

Badger's Lea

Black Country Carol

60th Birthday

John Hendley and Geoff Bodenham Live 1978

Geoff Live 1980

Geoff Live 1983

Geoff Live Undated

This is in addition to the recordings that were previously available, that I'll also link for completeness.

The Truth about 1812

Jean Ward - Stay not Late (Geoff Backing)

Dungeon Folk

I hope the members of this forum enjoy them.