2026 Obit: Mike Starkey (Bristol UK)

Subject: 2026 Obit: Mike Starkey
From: rosma
Date: 16 Apr 26 - 06:09 PM

Mike Starkey, former MC at the Dragon Folk Club, Bristol, UK and member of the Bristol Shantymen, died on Sunday, 12th April 2026 after a long illness.

I expect to have more details after the weekend.

Mike had been coming along to the Dragon Folk Club for "many, many years", since it was held at The Lamb in Iron Acton. He was a fine unaccompanied singer.

Mike had a long history with music, not just folk music. He sang with Dave Marshall and Amanda as the "Terrible Two and Amanda", and also with the "Westerleigh Wailers" who performed many times at folk clubs and festivals.

Mike sang with the Bristol Shantymen on many sea-going vessels and at shanty festivals in Poland, Liverpool, Whitby, Bristol, and Cardiff, among others.

Here's a short video of Mike and two other members of the shantymen singing at a charity event held by the Dragon Folk Club in 2013.

Here's a video of the shantymen in more usual formation in the same year.