Obit: Diz Disley (1931-2010)

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley (1931-2010)
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 26 May 19 - 05:16 AM

Hi, I don't know if anyone is still reading this thread, but I'm doing some investigation into my genealogy and believe that Diz may be my biological grandfather. My mother was given up for adoption in the 60s. I would be grateful to hear from anyone who may have any more information about his parents (names etc) as I'm trying to trace their origins in Wales. Any information would be gratefully appreciated. Many thanks, Mark

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 May 10 - 06:08 PM

Stu - You missed an excellent Memorial Concert last Wedneday at The Half Moon ! Revived City Ramblers PLUS Chas McDevitt , Le Hot Club de Londres , Sarb and Carthyand all sorts of other people !

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,Stu Weetman
Date: 29 May 10 - 04:57 PM

I only just found out about Diz having "reached room temperature" as I remember him once saying. A very sad loss. I first encountered Diz at a folk club in Bill Quay, where I joined what I now refer to as "Dizley's collection of shrunken heads". I played a floor spot (a 12 bar blues) and was properly chuffed when Diz asked me to get up and join him on guitar. He then announced that we would play "Basin Street Blues" in Bb. I promptly capoed up so I could use G shapes. We were ready to kick off when Diz declared "we don't need the handcuffs, dear boy!" and confiscated my capo! That was me snookered. My last memory of Diz was when he turned up as a guest at a Gypsy Jazz evening in woodcote, South Oxfordshire, about a year ago. He was, by then, too frail to play, but it was touching that, when Ian Cruickshank, the MC of the evening, introduced him to the audience, he received a standing ovation.

He was a lovely man, and a stunning musician.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 04 May 10 - 02:19 PM

Some more letters about Diz published today in the Guardian.


Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 May 10 - 07:00 PM

Jeremy - E Mail sent

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,Jeremy Riches
Date: 03 May 10 - 06:17 PM

What a loss. There was no character quite like Diz.

I am fortunate in having some unique recordings of Diz from his folk club days and have been asked if I could do a copy or two. Being mindful of copyright, does anyone know who I could contact to seek permission? Please email me on jeremy[at]richesfamily.net

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,Dave Burland
Date: 25 Apr 10 - 01:21 PM

I have quite a few Disley stories, my favourite being, he had just played a roaring guitar solo, finished the song and drank a whole pint of beer in one go, "my next song" he said "was written by W.C. Handy................ and I hope there is" He was a gent and a master.
Safe journey Diz

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,GUEST, Cestrian
Date: 24 Apr 10 - 03:04 PM

In the 1960s, Diz appeared for the first time in the main folk club in Chester. He ended the evening by announcing to the mystified audience that he would now sing the famous "Chester Song". "Don't you know it?" asked Diz. "All together now - Chester song at twilight . . . ."

As the French say: Reservoir . . .

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,addison
Date: 15 Apr 10 - 05:53 PM

Obit in The Guardian, 16 April.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Vic Smith
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 01:19 PM

Here's a story that Diz told about himself at one late night drinking session after he had done a gig for us in Brighton:-

Decades ago, Diz was playing the Officers' Mess at H.M.S Collingwood near Portsmouth and after the gig his hosts broke out the Pursers' Rum. I don't know how many of you have touched that stuff but, believe me, it is lethal.

Much the worse for wear, Diz was later weaving his car up Portsdown Hill when he was stopped by the police. According to Diz, the following exchange took place:-

Policeman Just a check, sir, I'm not sure that you are fully in control of this car.
Diz Just a cheque? Oh! Thank goodness - I thought that you were going to book me! Who do I make it out to?

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 12:32 PM

Telegraph Obit

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,John from "Elsie`s band"
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 11:03 AM

The obituary section in yesterdays "The Daily Telegraph" gave a spendid, informative piece on Diz.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,Pete Berryman
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 10:48 AM

So sad I couldn't get up to London for the funeral, Diz was my wayward mentor in my youth when I slept on his floor and tagged along on his adventures.
Over the Pyrenees in one of his ancient limos, me and Johnny Silvo in the back with the massive detached engine bonnet, Dave [?] driving, trying to keep some momentum, and Diz...sitting on the mudguard pouring water into the boiling radiator as we careered around precipitous hairpin bends.
On one of the last occasions I phoned him in hospital and asked him how it was going he said " Dear Boy, there's 96 tiles on this ceiling!".
Thanks Diz.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 07:06 PM

Did 'Doctor Jazz' for Diz on Thursday - Five string Banjo in F then did it this evening on Guitar , again in F

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,Richard Nelson Dereham Jazz society
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 02:36 PM

Trumpeter/bass Gerry Salisbury ex Mick Mulligan, Freddy Randall and Alex Welsh ran a jazz club in Dereham and was a mate of Diz. We had Diz perform for us on several occasions. I have got tapes of the concerts, the music and chat are a knockout. About requests he said
"we do any requests . . . from the lowly half of bitter request right up to the delux jeroboam of champagne request". Other interludes included, "Pigmys from Africa would travel all the way to North Yorkshire to dip their arrows in my mum's soup". "Are we in tune?, this guitar is in tune with a piano in Bristol" "We are both plugged into the same amp which is reconstituted from an old Yorkshire pie warmer" And perhaps on a serious note, "the two greatest guitarists that ever lived were Teddy Bun and Django Reinhardt – notice that Lonnie Donnegan is not in there"

An original

R Nelson

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,Bob Plews
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 09:11 AM

Disleyisms should be collated somewhere and published - looking back I'm amazed how they were part of many performers' patter. "In case you're wondering {holds up glass of whatever he's drinking}, I drink this stuff on stage because it helps me to relax. Sometimes I am so relaxed I can hardly move...."

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,"Mouse"
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 08:52 AM

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: billybob
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 06:21 AM

Sorry but I also meant to say thank you to Katie and Pauline for arranging such a brilliant tribute and to all the speakers and musicians who made us laugh and celebrate Diz's life with such hilarious memories.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: billybob
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 06:18 AM

A wonderful day saying goodbye to a real treasure. pip pip Diz

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 05:55 AM

New Orleans style Marching Band TO the Chapel , then Didnt He Ramble and The Saints outside after .
A lot of Fun Music in the Devonshire in the evening , nice to touch base with so many mates , old and new !

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: cptsnapper
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 04:11 AM

If ever there was an occasion which captured someone's spirit then as far as I'm concerned yesterday was it. A fantastic celebration of an amazing man. Thanks Diz. May you rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Silas
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 02:14 PM

Further to Guest Ron Winkle's post earlier in this thread, I would just like to thank Ron for his blinding tribute to Diz last night at the Spittalbrook in Stafford.

It was wonderful to hear Ron playing the banjo again, I hope it was not just a 'one off' and that he may visit us more often.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 07:53 AM

Link to Patcat's site - Patrus53 - worth bookmarking !

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,patcat
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 07:33 AM

Informative tribute site at: http://www.patrus53.com/

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,patcat
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 06:09 AM

Yeah, I was at the Stainsby gig where Diz Disley played too - I remember him doing a wonderful solo rendition of Nuages for an encore. At that time the main tent was halfway up the hill so at ceilihds we would have to dance uphill half the time, and when it rained hard, streams would flow throught the tent. Ah bliss!

Pat

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: billybob
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 05:03 AM

Today

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 03:10 PM

And the funeral is tomorrow !

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 01:51 PM

God rest his soul. May he enjoy the eternal gig in the sky

Great One Dad!!

Pete.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,Mo O'Connor
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 11:29 PM

Diz, one of the first I heard playing the music of Django, great guitarist, may you rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,Alan White (the Brighton one.0
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 05:10 PM

Ah Diz - What a great time you gave us all.
First saw him at the Farnborough Folk Club in 1967 when I think he started with Handy Household Help. I was just amazed at the way the jazz guitar progressions lifted the material and of course made it much funnier.
Never played with him but shared the bill on many gigs throughout the 70's when he was incredibly friendly, supportive and always very enthusiastic.
The liberated guitar was surely his Maccafferi...which he seemed to get to be able to sound like just about anything. Remember the line in the parody of English Country Garden - "You've never seen the beetles that have been in my English Country Garden" followed by a pop riff that sounded just like George Harrison's Gretch.

I also remember sharing a Capital Radio recording with him and my dad ringing up to ask why my bit didn't sound as good as the other bloke. I just admitted that it was because the 'other bloke' was about eight times better than me.

I think that many of his one liners were influenced by W.C. Fields and probably Groucho Marx - his gift was to make them sound so British.

My favourite line was the collapsed Arctic explorer, two miles from the North pole who wakes up to see an iceberg floating towards him with a St Bernard sitting on it, a large barrel of barrel of brandy strapped to its collar.
'Ahhhh! man's best friend.... and there's a dog tied to it'.

Brilliant Diz. Pip Pip!

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,The Duchess of Walsall
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 02:54 PM

Diz, you were a lovely, lovely man and I have such happy memories. One of life's eccentrics but such fun and an astonishing musician. Andy thought the world of you too and our biggest regret was that when you used to stay with us on the way to see Grapelli in Paris playing in a bar and you asked us to go with you, we didn't. When you parked Paul Getty's cadillac in our drive, it overhung the pavement!! Like everyone else, so many stories too many to tell but you were a real gentleman and now you can have a natter with Andy. love Barb

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,Charlie
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 11:46 AM

I met him at the Troubadour in Earls Court in the late 1960s. Redd Sullivan, Martin Winsor and he working together were absolutely stunning. All three were great musicians, wits and raconteurs. I miss them all greatly, but Disley was far and away the most talented musician.

Incidentally, the story of his 'liberated' guitar is, to the best of my knowledge, true. It was a particularly fine guitar (the name escapes me) of notable and unusual construction - and was never seen again after it had been lifted. Disley was inconsolable. From that point forwards Disley tended to borrow others' instruments. I guess he never found its equal.

As to his various vehicles, yes they were remarkable. He had a penchant for large, usually old, always luxurious, cars. Sullivan told me the(a) story that Disley had a Rolls with a huge hole in the exhaust - it was incredibly noisy, sounding like a Spitfire on heat. Apparently one evening it ran out of petrol on the Chiswick Flyover, but Disley managed to coast it silently into a nearby petrol station. The pump attendant, suitably impressed by Disley's slightly flamboyant gentility, the car itself, and its remarkably quiet arrival nearly died of a heart attack when Disley fired it up and took off on his way into London.

A lovely man. Rest in Peace, Diz.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,John Morrell
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 08:27 AM

Long before he found fame - and fame found him - Bill (Diz) Disley was a member of a singing act, the Godfrey Brothers, who played a summer season, I think in the mid-50s, in my father's show, The Starlights at Morecambe's Central Pier.
He was new to the performing game but always eager to learn but what shone through even then was his brilliance on the guitar.
He practiced all the time in his dressing room and was obviously driven by a desire to succeed and succeed he did. On top of it all, he was such a nice guy.   
Nobody at that time realised we were in the presence of true musical genius.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Tig
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 10:42 AM

Ooops - forgot to sign in again :-(

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 10:40 AM

One of those times I wish I could be in three places at once! Two Funerals and an At Home. Unfortunately the 'at home' wins due to prior commitments.

Watch out God - Diz Disley and Vicki Williams are both having their final 'send off' on the 7th. That should be some Wake they hold when they get there. :-0

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 09:46 AM

Times Obit

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,addison
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 08:58 AM

Obit in Saturday's Times.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Fidjit
Date: 03 Apr 10 - 04:48 AM

Sad to hear that.
Respected musician. Was great with Grappeli at Cambridge '72.

Another great gone.

The queue is now getting shorter I see.

See ya Diz.

Chas

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,Neil Wayne (guest)
Date: 01 Apr 10 - 11:44 AM

Ahhhh, Diz! - I stared a Cellar Folk club in the bowels of Brum's Bull Ring in '66: I'd seen Diz in London, so called to book him for "The Grotto" as it was called (Striptease Fridays, Gambling Saturdays, Folk on Sundays...) - "yes, Dear Boy! - It'll be eight pounds" - and on the night, I was amazed to see that this fee included his driving up from London in his (then) Rolls Royce!

Back in London in '67 & '68, I also had the honour of booking him at Brunel University Folk Club. - and in 1969, while taking my dear old Mom on a tour of East Anglia, we met Diz in Aldeburgh, complete with Rolls, of course - and what a gent he was to me old Mom!

What a gent he was - sadly missed.

Neil W (Free Reed, Concertina Collector, etc)

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 31 Mar 10 - 07:30 PM

Having 'known' him in the Jazz world ,finding my local club had booked him (I was M C That Night) MY first words were " Hi Diz , You're late - An dwhat are you doinmg in a folk club?"
To which he replied " Sorry I'm late Terry ! And what are YOU doing in a Folk Club?"
Since our last meeting three years before I had (Almost) stopped playing Jazz reeds , and was getting serious about Folk !
That was the first time I jammed with him on Whistle - Summer 1967 !

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Art Thieme
Date: 31 Mar 10 - 04:27 PM

From here in the USA, I do wish I'd known him -- and his music. I'm saddened for you all. But you have made a fine thread for him!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,Peter Baylis
Date: 31 Mar 10 - 01:35 PM

I have just heard the sad news regarding Diz. What a great character he was. I used to compare the Grove Folk Club in the Grove Tavern in Battersea during the 60's. When Diz was on the bill a full house could be guaranteed. He was a regular but somehow his jokes and stories got better with the telling.

Does anyone remember any of the Grove floor singers? Wonderful people like Brixton Bert, Fat Sue, Smelly Dave Ward, Doug Bailey and of course John Garrick with whom I'm still in contact. If anyone remembers the Grove Club, please drop me an email at [e-mail]

Pete

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,Graham Bradshaw
Date: 30 Mar 10 - 10:28 AM

By the late 60s and well into the 70s, Diz was one of the biggest draws on the folkscene. He was one of the very few who could absolutely guarantee a Full House.

This was the heyday of the 'folk entertainers' when folk clubs were packed most weeks.

I remember one occasion shortly after I'd moved to Coventry (early 70s) and Diz was playing at one of the Coventry folk clubs on a Friday. We went along and was greeted by, "Dear Boy. Any chance of staying at your gaffe - I;ve got another gig on Sunday so it'll save going back?" No problem. A great weekend was had. We went on a picnic on the Sunday on Bromyard Downs, and he took us to a cider brewery which he had discovered whilst playing at Bromyard Festival.

You went in this long Nissan hut, they gave you a shot glass as you entered, and all down both sides of the hut were barrels of ciders, perries and country wines. And you could taste as many as you wanted.

We staggered out to the exit where they then persuaded us to buy some of this stuff. We bought 2 5 gallon drums (for about 50p a gallon I think) and took it on our picnic. Marvellous. Then drove back to the said gig and arrived at about 8pm (which was Disley time for arriving at gigs), only to find that he should have been there the week before. We stayed anyway and he played a blinder, as well as the guest who probably felt a bit upstaged.

This was standard for Diz - part of folklore at the time about his non-arrivals - and he regularly turned up the wrong week. Nobody seemed to mind though.

I also remember when I was touring round with Derek Sarjeant, and later as the Trio with Hazel, there was a period where us and Diz seemed to follow each other around the clubs. We used to leave messages for each other on the posters in the clubs. When Diz had preceded us, he'd always leave one of his inimitable quips together with a cartoon. I wonder if any of them still survive?

Diz was of course a staff cartoonist on one of the daily papers in the 50s and 60s, his most famous being the one he did of Louis Armstrong, which was regularly trotted out in the Melody Maker whenever there was any mention of Armstrong.

And then there were the early morning drinking haunts in London. There were several occasions where we would meet up back in town after a provincial gig. Diz always knew where you could get a late drink (this was the days of 11.00 closing in pubs). Some very dodgy dives but always great fun.

Funny how it all revolved around drink. He used to drink strong Barley Wine and whisky or brandy chasers. After a full night that would floor most people, he would go home and drink his famous carrot juice "because it was healthy and good for you", so he said.

An amazing man and the last of the great characters. Reading these posts, it is remarkable what a profound effect he had on so many lives. As Paul Downes said, we all seemed to subconsciously absorb Disleyisms. And you still hear people trotting out some of his lines to this day - a good 40 odd years on. The mark of a true legend.

I do hope somebody puts all these stories down for posterity. The Disley story encapsulates the history of the British Jazz and Folk scenes, and the bohemian lifestyle which is now long gone.

It'll never be the same without him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: breezy
Date: 30 Mar 10 - 09:12 AM

The first time I experienced Diz D was at the Star and Garter folk club in Bromley late 60s

I had recently discovered folk through Sunday night at the Palladium

I went in the hope to hear 'folk-sings'

I got Diz, and confused, and was in stitches with his rendition of Ed M's The Battle of Hastings.


I was to check him out on numerous occasions but I did wonder why John James kept on appearing, now I know.

The first time I heard Chris Flegg play I remarked how much he reminded me of DiZ . It turned out that Chris Flegg knew Diz fairly well in those days . He is also an exponent of that style that Diz played, he can also plays Django 's 'Nudgers' In Flegg the spirit and influence of Diz can be clearly seen   

'Bloody Orkney'

Yes it may have been 'rubbish' etc but he was an energetic and a compelling personality and pulled em in.

I think I would have booked

Todays young pretenders dont make us laugh out loud like Diz could.

Diz was part of a great mix of personalities, and he stood out.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 30 Mar 10 - 06:43 AM

Nice to hear from Jim Douglas, assuming that is the JD who played with Alex Welsh and later the Great British Jazz Band, Pizza Express Allstars etc. Enjoyed his playing for many years at the 100 Club etc.

RtS

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,paul downes
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 07:44 PM

I never realised that Diz had been a great influence on me. I had always thought: Carthy, Jones, Leven, Chapman- but after Dangerous Curves had done a gig with Diz, Jen Ingersoll said to me: "he did your act!" An awful lot had rubbed off.
I had the priviledge to play a second half in Brighton with him once - he thought I might be up to it. Every time he asked me to to take a solo, he said "come on, Chris." I think he mixed every young guitarist with the wonderful Chris Newman - I subsequently saw him call other guitarists "Chris."
An extaordinary night that I recall was at the Stamford Folk Club in Brighton in around 1973, when all the seats were occupied by Chinese Students, all dressed the same, all wearing glasses - 4 numbers into the set - no applause at all- they, as one one, stood up and left. The seats were then occupied by the normal punters and he carried on. Not one word from Diz about this. This situation would have been fruitful pastures for some great banter. No. Not a word. Beyond being a wonderful gentleman, he was possibly politically correct before his time...or, maybe, for once he was flummoxed!
Love you Diz.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Paul Reade
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 04:28 AM

Orson,

I'd love to get a copy of the tape from Diz's performance at Sale. Please see the PM I sent with the contact details.

Paul

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 28 Mar 10 - 06:08 AM

Very saddened to hear of Diz's passing. Great memories of his performances at Chelmsford Folk Club, back in the mid sixties. On one occasion he persuaded me to join him as he played one of his many jazz standards. I was playing mandolin & the piece was in Eb! 'Nurdling' along in the background was not too difficult, but at one point he turned to me & expected a full-blown, improvised jazz solo...on a mandolin...in Eb!! I was absolutely terrified. After we had finished playing, Diz was incredibly gracious & complimentary about my meagre efforts. His prodigious musical skills & generosity of spirit will stay with me for many years to come.
                                    Nigel Paterson.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Mar 10 - 06:20 AM

Refresh - Still a few days before the Funeral

Subject: RE: Obit: Diz Disley - 22 March 2010
From: GUEST,Jim Douglas
Date: 26 Mar 10 - 05:26 AM

One of the first musicians I met on my arrival at the Blue Posts in London as a young would be jazz guitarist was my hero Diz Disley. After sinking enough 'Dutch courage' to introduce myself, the great man replied "Nice to meet you, Dear Boy, could you lend me three pounds?"
My entire fortune was seven but I willingly parted with the dosh. It was never returned per se but I consider his friendship and the experience of playing with him on numerous occasions including ten concerts with Stephane Grapelly more gratifying than any financial recompense. The British jazz scene has once more lost a true character and fine guitarist.