Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP (12 March 2004)

Subject: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: Lanfranc
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 05:45 AM

It was with great sadness that I discovered from the Ralph McTell/Steeleye Down Under thread that Cliff Aungier passed away on Friday 12th March.

I remember him as a fine Blues singer and guitarist, and have a couple of his albums in my collection. It is many years since I last saw him, and I have not seen his name on any guest lists for ages - the last time I booked him was probably back in the '80s. I wonder if any Mudcatter can fill me and others in on the story of his later years.

He was a regular (and organiser?) at the Half Moon in Putney way back when, and I recall many entertaining gigs there.

Another one gone!

Alan

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,JOHN FROM ELSIE`S BAND
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 06:09 AM

It is with much sadness that I learn of the passing of Cliff Aungier. We first met at the "Railway Tavern", Catford where he was a regular guest along with Royd Rivers. We have a lot to thank him for. When I was a member of Four Square Circle it was Cliff who recommended us and introduced us to Francis Line at BBC Light Entertainment from where we featured on "Country Meets Folk" a number of times. Our condolences go out to all Cliff`s family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: mooman
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 09:53 AM

I am very sad to hear of his passing. He was the first live folk performer I ever saw.

May he rest in peace.

moo

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 01:55 PM

Gosh this one really hits me close, I used to go to the Half Moon at Putney every week back in the 60s. Cliff and Royd,along with Lisa Turner were the residents in those days, and many a swinging night was had in those days when I could have a couple of drinks and still drive back home to Richmond. That was the first place I saw Jo Ann Kelly among others. Cliff had a flat somewhere in south London [I think] and we used to go back there after Country Swamps Folk, and the Dungeon Club for drinks etc. In fact I was coming back from there one night with Sandy Glennon when he got breathalysed, and taken to the local cop shop, they allowed me to drive him home to Chelsea where he lived, and I had to walk home to Richmond at 3 0-clock in the morning, a long walk. Oh happy daze!
Rest in peace Cliff
John

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: mooman
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 02:49 PM

Dear John

I was also a denizen of the Half Moon and The Dungeon, and lived in Richmond. Jo-Ann was also a personal friend.

Ironic how a sadness like Cliff's passing reveals previously unknown connections.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,eddi reader
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 07:44 PM

shock about cliffs passing ... he was one of the stars of the folk scene in london when I got off the train from scotland and headed to the Half Moon club in the 80's on the recommendation of Hamish Imlach ...
GOD BLESS YOU CLIFF....
eddi
xxx

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: Bob Hitchcock
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 08:10 PM

This is very sad news, I remember Cliff playing in a club in Berkshire back in 1974 or 75 and I had a short conversation with him after his set. He was a very nice bloke, and a wonderfull performer.

RIP Cliff.

Bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 04:33 AM

I have just discovered 'among my souvenirs' a publicity shot of a very young Cliff Aungier, it gives his address as Heber Rd London N2, and his phone number as GLA 6790/6217, so that would indicate how old it is, before STD. Also in the same folder are similar pix of Steve Benbow, and Alan Young, there is also a list of the people I booked at my club,The Coach and Horses, Kew Green, and what I paid them for the gig. Examples from 1968 are, Noel Murphy 8 Guineas, Johnny Silvo £15:00, Hedy West £20:00, and Derek Brimstone £10:00 etc.
Oh for the halcyon days of my youth.
John

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: mooman
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 04:51 AM

Also interesting John. The Coach and Horses was my local and "luncheon cafeteria" when I worked at the Jodrell Lab, Kew, in the 70s!

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 05:16 AM

A wonderful guy. I warmed to him because he did bluesy stuff when there wasn't much of it around.

The thread has certainly awoken memories of a hazy yesteryear, peopled by the likes of Alex Campbell, Murphy, Denver, etc, and you could book Christy Moore for less than a tenner. I was helping to run a folk club in Newark in the 60s and the Half-Moon was just a distant Mecca. I did eventually get there, catching an earlyish Fairport set there among others.

That is the land of lost content,         5
I see it shining plain,
The happy highways where I went
And cannot come again.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: scouse
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 05:51 AM

Well,the "Half-Moon." will be awash with Whiskey on the 31st of this month.. with the RIP concert for Jonah (John.) Jones being held and now this sad news..both regulars of the place in years past. God, I wish I could be there to raise a dram to them both.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 08:34 AM

I was at the Chase Folk Club's St. Patrick's Day gig with Murf last Wednesday when Noel told me about Cliff's passing. Apparently he had been ill for some time. Very sad. I saw him quite a lot back in the 70's. Remember his guitar? A D28 with "Cliff Aungier" inlayed along the fretboard. He once told the story of how a French student pinched it and later took it in to Ivor Mairant's guitar shop to see how much she could get for it. About six months, Ivor was thinking, as he phoned the cops!

Pete

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: Nick
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 10:34 AM

Sorry to hear that.

When my wife and I first started going out in 1979/1980 we used to go to a pub close to Richmond station (I forget the name of it but it was the smaller of two pubs that had regular music) and fall in love on friday evenings listening to music in very cosy surroundings - it was a small pub and the musicians were about four feet away from the bar. There was a trio who played regularly but occasionally other musicians would come one of whom was Cliff.

We had many a pleasant evening listening to him singing and playing. Often he would appear with a bass player and occasionally turn up with friends - I believe he arrived with Gordon Giltrap one evening though that may be my memory playing tricks.

I remember him as a cheerful guy and a good singer and player who always had time for everyone for a chat.

Lot of warm feelings about those times - sorry that the circumstances that prompt such fond memories for me must be giving others grief.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 11:32 AM

Sad news indeed. Giok - Benbow and Alan Young are still kicking at the Brewery Tap and the Coach & Horses in Brentford every week though
Benbow had a nasty accident on his smallholding in Feb. Better now though. I don't know whether it got posted on this site but Johnny Joyce also passed away in February. I understand that Cliff was getting a web site set up and I believe that some of the photos from his personal archive that were to be on it are real gems, with many old faces. Sad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 11:47 AM

Gosh Johnny Joyce too, I was just telling some people at the weekend how he acquired a pretty little pre-war black Gibson 6 string. Makes you think that your name is going to come up on the list any minute now.
Regretfully....John

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,Mike Aungier
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 10:31 AM

Thanks to you all for your comments and memories. It's comforting to know a lot of people remember him fondly, often from way back. I'm planning to do a website in the near furture and will start collecting images, stories, etc. If anybody can send me any stuff I'd be very grateful: [e-mail]

Cheers,
Cliff's eldest, Mike.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 02:11 PM

Mooman did you get my PM?
John

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,JIMI KAZAK
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 02:27 PM

A GREAT MAN WHOM I SHALL MISS VERY MUCH!
INSPARATIONAL AND A LEGEND ON THE GUITAR.
I WAS THERE WHEN HE WAS RECORDING HIS LAST ALBUM HE MADE.
"LIVING THE BLUES" HE WAS BRILLIANT NO REHERSAL OR SET LIST.
CLAMPING HIMSELF ONTO THE GUITAR,PLAYING TUNES HE HAD NOT PLAYED IN YEARS AND BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE WITH SINGING.
RECORDED ON THE SUNDAY AFTERNOON NO REHERSAL OR PLANNING JUST PASSION.
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN...
YO CLIFFO, I MISS YOU MAN.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 05:26 AM

Hi Mike Aungier, you should also check out the BBC radio 2 folk and acoustic message board, Cliff got quite a feww mentions on that too.
I remember him from my early days of listening to folk music on the radio, he is well remembered.
eric

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: mooman
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 10:29 AM

John,

Have received your PM and PMed back...

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 10:39 AM

Mike Aungier I tried to e-mail you but got it back.
John

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 08:07 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,wendy aungier
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 06:35 AM

Mike Aungier is away at the moment. i am Cliff's widow, thanks for tip...will try to see BBC radio 2 folk and accoustic message board...Cliff's so sadly missed; and at the moment, it's hard to bear, but his old pals/musos have been so kind to me, and I thank all of them so much. Will phone Jimi when I can
Wendy Aungier

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,Wolfgang
Date: 08 Apr 04 - 08:45 AM

Cliff played at my club in Germany in 1987. The show lasted for at least three hours. Cliff talked more than he played, most of the time about Crystal Palace FC and English beer, which he liked much better than the German beers. Anyway - it was very entertaining and people loved it. A very nice guy and a great guitar player. I will never forget that gig.
Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,Bob
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 06:15 PM

I had the great privilege of not only socialising with Cliffo and squaffing the pints at The Half Moon with him and the lads, but also gigging with him on numerous occasions.
He was great company and a supurb musician, possibly the best right thumb in the buisness.
He toured the West of Ireland a few years ago, where I now live and it was great to catch up with him again and see him doing the biz on the frets.
Cliff with be sadly missed by all who knew him.
But the comfort is, he Jonah and Mick with probably be organising a few gigs upstairs.
Good on yer Cliffo.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,Stuart Cowell
Date: 10 Apr 04 - 02:39 PM

I had the pleasure of playing/socialising with Cliff during the 70s,at the Half Moon,Borch and Cheers on a regular basis(He also lived at my house for a while).He introduced me to Ralph McTell,with whom I toured prior to leaving for Australia.He was kind enough to play at my farewell at the Half Moon in winter 1980.I still have the video,I hope it still is in one piece!There are a few other "usual suspects"on it.Jonah was there that night,sorry to hear he is also no longer around.
Thanks for the good times Cliff,stuart.............

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,Jean Rivett Gregory
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 10:49 AM

Hi Mike, Was shocked to hear about you dad my cousin Cliff. Had an e-mail from Wendy. Cliffs dad Bill and my mum Joan are brother and sister. I moved to USA in 1960 and didn't have much contact with Cliff until last year when I finally found him and had a long long talk with him about childhood days. Cliff was one year younger than me so we grew up together. I still have the 45 of Lady from Baltimore that he gave me before I left for America. Cliff sent me a cassette of him playing the guitar a few months ago.What a great player he was, realy put his heart and soul into it. If you want a copy of it let me know. I am so glad I got to know him again after all those years. Love and fond memories Cliff. Love your cous Jean. Have been trying to contact his brother Dave on the phone but no answer. Please give him my e-mail address. Love to you all.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,wendy aungier
Date: 18 Apr 04 - 08:30 AM

Amazing that Stuart Cowell has sent a message....just months before Cliff died, he was desparately trying to contact Stuart, and we had poured all possible tel numbers in NSW Australia, trying to find him!! We had watched Stuart's farewell video, just before Cliff went into hospital. So, Hi, Stuart, found at last!!...
Wendy Aungier

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Apr 04 - 08:56 AM

Any news yet on the web site that Mike mentioned? The reason I tried to e-mail him [see above] is because I have this old publicity photo of Cliff from about 30+ years ago, and if he didn't have it I can send him a scanned copy for possible inclusion.
John

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From:
Date: 05 May 04 - 05:23 PM

Hi Wendy,Sorry to meet under these circumstances,I have lived in Ireland for sometime,So terribly sorry to hear about Cliff.Sadly,due to my moving habit,we lost touch.I am long gone from NSW,now living near Galway,
Stuart Cowell

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,GARETH
Date: 06 May 04 - 07:14 AM

It was with great sadness that I learnt of Cliff's death. He was a friend whom i first met in the 70s but lost touch and met again by accident in the mid 80s when we performed a number of gigs together.
Cliff was a wonderful, warm human being and a great musician as well, may he rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,Halfmoon
Date: 06 May 04 - 07:30 AM

Cliff is going to be remembered and celebrated at the Halfmoon on Wednesday 16th June. Guest performers will include Gordon Giltrap, Ralph McTell, Paul Millns, Ian Hunt, Willay Finlayson and supergourp The Full Moon Band - of which Cliff was an impromptu member on occasion. For more information and tickets (which are in limited supply) please visit www.halfmoon.co.uk

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,Steve Dominey
Date: 15 May 04 - 03:40 PM

I just got an e-mail from Wend, I was flabbergasted, ah the nights in the half moon, he introduced me to Paul Brady, Billy Connolly, Scottie, et al. Always remember c'mon you diamond you. He and Wend flew to LA to have a birthday drink with me afew years ago, but Cliffo got a toothache and so he went home. Or the bell in Hillgrove Street, "here Mick can you sausage me a gregory",. miss him already

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,Catherine
Date: 17 May 04 - 10:34 AM

Sitting here in my home in North Devon I have just now learned with great sadness about Cliff's death. I have been sitting in the garden with a coffee and have cried some tears and smiled lots too from the wonderful memories that I have of Cliff. As a teenager I lived next door to him and his family when they lived in North Devon, specifically the village of Instow. Mid 1970's. I baby sat for his sons many times, do you remember me Mike? Also I thnk I met Wendy once when Cliff visited the area. A good friend of Cliff's also lived here in the area, Carl Hamer. I remember lots of jam sessions and good times. My love and best wishes to his family
Catherine ......formerly Catherine Yeo

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: MAJ
Date: 20 May 04 - 09:35 AM

Quote from Half Moon above: Cliff is going to be remembered and celebrated at the Halfmoon on Wednesday 16th June. Guest performers will include Gordon Giltrap, Ralph McTell, Paul Millns, Ian Hunt, Willay Finlayson and supergourp The Full Moon Band - of which Cliff was an impromptu member on occasion.

I have one spare ticket for sale for this event. Cost £15.50 (which includes the Ticketmaster admin fee).

If anyone's interested please send me a PM.

Cheers,

MAJ

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: Amos
Date: 20 May 04 - 01:35 PM

Dang.

A

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: MAJ
Date: 22 May 04 - 10:43 AM

Don't understand your message Amos...

Price for this ticket is now £12.50. Any takers welcome.....?!

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,Pete Nutting
Date: 25 May 04 - 05:02 PM

Very sorry to hear the news. Cliff was a good friend through the seventies until he moved back to Devon. Caroline )nee) Nightingale, David Nightingale and Richard North will be equally sad. We had many good nights at the French Connection and also Sutton. We will all miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: MAJ
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 08:37 AM

Spare ticket is now down to £10 - anyone want it?

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,Pete Shroff
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 08:15 AM

So sorry to here about Cliff, I remember him so well back in th 70,s in north Devon in the days when we both worked with Bernard Greenaway.

I have fond memories of both him and his then Wife and remeber helping him move from Croydon to Devon,

Thanks for the memories Cliff.

great Voice, Great Guitarist, Great bloke.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,Sue Tuckey
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 05:00 PM

I booked Cliff to play at Orpington Friday Folk 3,or 4 times before he moved. In those days we were in the bar of the Liberal Club, and had to contend with chat,the till, the fruit machine etc. I can't remember if we had our p.a. or not. Cliff would mark off a stage area under the window that no non-performer was allowed to cross,
except for the floor singers who always got to jam with him at the end of the evening. I never paid much money in those days, basically what went in the collection. I never heard him complain.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,Pete Shroff
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 08:18 AM

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP
From: GUEST,Jeff Aungier
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 06:25 PM

Hi Mike, we spoke some years ago. i also spoke to uncle cliff just before he played the fairfield halls with rick parfet and francis rossi, i so wish i had taken him up on his offer to come and see his gig !! The last time i saw him play was down orpington above a pub.
He was such a massive talent. i have so many memorys of seeing him play at the pub in down, Kent. I recently lost my dad harry who was cliffs cousin. they were always together with gerry through the 60's and 70's. His records are now in mine and my sisters record collection still in imaculate condition. i also managed to get lady from baltimore on cd. was right happy about that.
By Lucky mate and RIP uncle cliff

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP (12 March 2004)
From: GUEST,David Wilkinson
Date: 15 Feb 08 - 10:17 AM

I used to run two folk clubs back in the early Sixties; The Crown in Reading and Bridge House at Bracknell. Gerry and Royd used to be among my regulars. One day they brought Clff down to The Crown. As a result I gave him a solo gig a few weeks later. We met up again at a gig he did in Newbury sometime in the Seventies. He told me - to my eternal pride - that the Crown was his first ever solo spot and that (ever a modest, retiring gentleman) he was panic-stricken.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP (12 March 2004)
From: GUEST,RS
Date: 15 Feb 08 - 12:11 PM

David Wilkinson - The Crown was the first folk club I ever went to, c '65, to see Derek Hall, one of the best guitarists-that-no-one's-
ever-heard-of; he was up there with Graham, Jansch & Renbourn, IMO. but apart from a couple of things with Mike Cooper, I don't beleve he ever recorded, wonder whatever happened to him? - after the Crown, the Shades in Gun St became THE folk hangout, remember seeing Cliff Aungier there..

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP (12 March 2004)
From: GUEST,Jill, the mother of Cliffs youngest son, Rob
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 05:39 PM

Cliff, it was wonderful to see you towards the end of your life. You weremy one true love, and I will lways think of youu with such love. It was lovely to meet Wendy at last, and I offer her my sncere condolences.
I remember Stuart Cowell, Cliff and I conceived Robert in that house of yours in Harrow, Stuart..

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP (12 March 2004)
From: GUEST,Steve Payne
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 11:14 PM

I was just goin' through some old photos .. here's great pic of Cliffo and me in our usual state of disrepair ..ha ! ..c ya later mate ..SP

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP (12 March 2004)
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 09 - 04:45 PM

I was just googling Carl Hamer and came across this thread (I used to be on Mudcat a lot around 1999).

Knew Cliff too. So sad.

Wonder if I know any of you North Devon people - I was there in them days.

Jo Taylor

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP (12 March 2004)
From: Jo Taylor
Date: 22 Nov 09 - 05:00 PM

Oh, that's better, I have my name back.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cliff Aungier RIP (12 March 2004)
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Nov 09 - 06:42 PM

yes I saw Cliff afew times at Downe Folk club,I was only about 14,the guy that ran the club used to play 12 string guitar,name of Geoff Dale,yeah Cliff was a fine performer.