Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: stallion
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 09:01 AM

Malcolm's contribution to this forum through his scholarship and comment was enormous and I miss his insight and Barry was in the same mould miss them both

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 07:52 AM

Thanks for that Ewen. Nice to know his work is still appreciated.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST,Ewen Kirk
Date: 16 May 09 - 05:36 AM

RIP

I just received from Ebay a collection of old "Oink!" comics, and after flicking through them, my brother decided to search online for information concerning one of our favourite childhood artists, JT Dogg (Malcolm Douglas)..

I was devastated when I heard the news of his death. His work was a great inspiration, and many of his famous double-paged posters lined my old bedroom walls. Having discovered that he also shared a love of folk music has made me want to discover even more of his work..

Having found this forum in my search, I thought it would be a good place to show that his earlier work in illustration also inspired and touched peoples lives, and that this was indeed a great loss..

My condolences to his family and friends.

Ewen Kirk

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 07 May 09 - 12:10 PM

Thanks for passing that on Vicki.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 07 May 09 - 10:39 AM

Ron Day (one of the co-writers of the pieces that appeared in the Guardian and the Sheffield Telegraph) has been kind enough to pass along a short note written by Malcolm's mum and brother. It was intended to appear with the Telegraph article, but in the end was not included. We thought that at least some of the people it was written for (and many more as well) would have a chance to see it if it was posted [modified very slightly] here:

Since coming to Sheffield in recent times and meeting Malcolm's friends and acquaintances, we have become aware of the depth of his involvement in the English folk music scene, both practically and academically. Thanks to all who were able to attend on April 2nd at Grenoside -- and afterwards at the Kelham Island Tavern, where we witnessed a celebration of Malcolm's life through his friends' respect and obvious love of performing music -- and also to all those who sent messages, but were unable to attend. We also wish to specifically thank Malcolm's friends who supported him during his illness.

-- Mr Ian Douglas, brother and Mrs Sylph Douglas, mother.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 06:14 PM

Of course Jack.

And I am sure that accommodation will be available to those who wish to conme from afar.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 05:06 PM

Could somebody keep us informed about the October event?

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 04:49 PM

Sorry that Guest was me!

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 04:44 PM

It really is Malcolm! I think his hair is tied back in a pony tail.

Look closer you can see it is him!

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 02:47 PM

Folkiedave, is that pic really Malcolm? It looks nothing like I remember him!

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 01:33 PM

Thanks for that Dave.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 24 Apr 09 - 01:20 PM

This is kind of repeated in today's Sheffield Telegraph linked to the story of the World's Biggest Ceilidh Band attempt later this year.
There is a good piccie of Malcolm taken a while ago, and the illustration off his website

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/Folk-band-play-tribute-.5197617.jp

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 01:02 AM

Thanks for posting the Guardian obit. Well done, fellows.

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: sharyn
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 12:39 AM

How sad.

I loved reading posts from Malcolm, although I never met him. At least we will have his voice here.

Sharyn

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: ex-pat
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 11:20 PM

RIP Malcolm. Read many a post on Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST,Michael Mannix
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 10:08 PM

As Malcolm's scriptwriter and collaborator from Sheffield University days I wish to add my signature to that of those people who mourn his passing.

'Malc' was a major influence on me, and his artwork was one of the iconographical hallmarks of Sheffield University life in the mid-1970s.

I maintain our collaborative 'Mickey Drivel' chararacter as my usual email address: [e-mail].

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 05:36 PM

Excellent,
Well done, Ron, Dave and Raymond!
Over the next couple of weeks we will be looking at what further needs to be done to get Wanton Seed to the publishers.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 10:36 AM

Obituary
Malcolm Douglas

    * Ron Day, Dave Eyre and Raymond Greenoaken
    * The Guardian, Wednesday 15 April 2009

Our friend Malcolm Douglas, who has died from cancer aged 54, had many talents, but two in particular brought him to national prominence. He had a compendious knowledge and understanding of traditional folk song (mainly, but not exclusively, English folk song), and he was a renowned illustrator and comic artist. He fell into these contrasting fields by accident, but he treated them with meticulous attention to detail and a professionalism that belied his lack of formal training.

He became an illustrator after volunteering to illustrate a student union newspaper at Sheffield University, and found that people were prepared to pay him to do what had hitherto been a hobby. His illustrations featured in a wide range of comics, of which the best known was Oink; he was also the illustrator of the footballing devilkin Fred the Red, for five years delighting both young and old readers of Manchester United match programmes.

For the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) he revised the evergreen song collection The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs, originally edited by Ralph Vaughan Williams and AL Lloyd in 1959. In his new edition, published in 2003 as Classic English Folk Songs, he corrected previous errors and brought to the book a wealth of additional detail. He did the same well-researched and comprehensive review of another of the EFDSS's most successful publications, Marrow Bones (2007), a collection of folk songs from Dorset and Hampshire, originally edited by Frank Purslow. He was working on a third, The Wanton Seed, when he succumbed to illness. He was also well-known among folk-music enthusiasts for his contributions to the online forum The Mudcat Café, where he had posted almost 9,000 detailed answers to questions about the most obscure aspects of folk song and music.

Malcolm was born and brought up in south London, and after attending Trinity School of John Whitgift in Croydon, he went to Sheffield University to study French and English and decided to stay on in the city, which he regarded as his home town.

He was committed to the principle of the people's ownership of their cultural heritage and was involved in many grassroots initiatives, even expressing concern about what he saw as the over-professionalisation of the folk arts. He was co-host at the Red Deer folk club in Sheffield for a decade and was active in regional organisations such as the South Riding Folk Network (SRFN) and Yorkshire Folk Arts, maintaining websites for both organisations, editing the SRFN magazine and designing the South Yorkshire folk magazine Stirrings.

Malcolm was also a performer, playing the fiddle, mandolin and cittern with various concert and dance bands, and was a familiar figure at music sessions in and around Sheffield.

He is survived by his mother, Sylph, and his brother, Ian.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST,Sue Coe
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 07:21 AM

Many thanks to Dave, Ron and Raymond for that piece in the Guardian. With their permission we've also use it for our Yorkshire Folk Arts site.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 04:23 AM

Link to Guardian article

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 03:59 AM

The Guardian has published the piece on Malcolm in today's issue (Wed 15 April). Other Lives section of the obituaries page, written by Ron day, Dave Eyre and Raymond Greenoaken.
Derek

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: alanww
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 06:38 AM

I have only just caught up with this tragedy.
Yes, Malcolm was a remarkable man with remarkable knowledge and he will be sorely missed.
His scholarship certainly encouraged me to widen my own knowledge, partly by collecting old song books.
I hope his extensive collection will go to good use elsewhere.
"... for I be free to go abroad ..."
Alan

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 03:34 PM

Thanks for that Johnny it was indeed a fitting send-off. Lots of people including childhood friends and some great stories.

The Guardian "Other Lives" section will be publishing the piece that Raymond Greenoaken and Ron Day and I wrote ASAP. So keep an eye out for that.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST,suzi
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 03:33 PM

Rest well Malcolm. x

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: johnadams
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 03:25 PM

I've just got back from Malcolm's send off.

After Bob Dylan's 'Lay Down Your Weary Tune', Raymond Greenoaken introduced four speakers on four topics.

The Illustrator: Tony Husband (cartoonist)

The Mudcat Hero: Dave Eyre (of this parish)

The Indispensible Quiet Man: Ron Day (South Riding Folk Network)

The Scholar: Malcolm Taylor (Vaughan Williams Memorial Library)

Then Musicians Martin Harwood, Keith Hinchliffe and Cath James played for Tegwen Roberts to sing 'Linden Lea', a piece that Malcolm himself nominated as his funeral music on a Mudcat thread.

Then the assembled company went to the Kelham Island Tavern in Sheffield to play music and sing songs.

It was a fitting send-off for a remarkable man.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: nutty
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 12:04 PM

I've been thinking about him all afternoon. Hope he got a good send-off.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Big Phil
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 04:04 AM

RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 03:30 AM

If he was born in August 1954, then he's only 54, would have turned 55 in 4 months.
Far to young.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: georgeward
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 03:18 AM

I feel as Mouldy does in the post above. It has all been said - eloquently - and I'm just here to mourn with the rest of you.

Then again, is that not one more way that one of our greats has brought us together - in however much sorrow ?

Mourn. Celebrate a life that meant something. Carry it on. Be grateful. Never forget.

All we can do. What we must do.

- G

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: mouldy
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 11:47 PM

I've only just really put my head to thinking if I could add anything to what has already been said. I can't.

I can remember meeting him at the Yorkshire gathering. Superb bloke!

It's already 2nd April here in NZ. Hope his farewell is a good one. (He will never really be gone as long as the knowledge and wisdom he imparted over the years is there).

Andrea

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 11:43 PM

FolkieDave, if you are comfortable posting it, here, I think it would be more than appropriate. If not, then I would definitely like a copy and will PM you with an email addy. Thank you for offering.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 06:59 PM

I don't believe there has been any mention here (yet) of his birthdate or his age, only his date of passing. Such information is, of course, standard in any regular newspaper-type obituary, so it should become available to the public, at least in the area of his home. I would be glad it someone could link us to such an obit, or to pass along a little more biographical data.

The Guardian "Other Lives" column will almost certainly use the stuff we have sent. So it will appear there. I will certainly provide a link once it is on-line.

August 10th 1954 – March 22nd 2009 are the dates.

At the funeral there will be talks about his work as an illustrator, as a mudcatter, as a local musician and his work with the EFDSS.

Once the funeral is over if anyone wants a copy of the "mudcat" talk I am happy to email it.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 04:35 PM

It seems he was only 55 - far too soon to go.

See Desert Dancer's posts in the 'In praise of ...' thread.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: PoppaGator
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 04:16 PM

Sad news.

Since Malcolm was so tremendously knowledgable, and seemed to epitomise the deepest kind of wisdom, I always assumed he was relatively elderly; so, when I first spotted the "Obit" thread title, I was not immediately shocked or taken aback.

However, after reading through the above, after seeing a fairly recent picture, and having learned of his mum's plans to attend his funeral, I am now shocked to realize that he was a relatively young man who died well before his time.

I don't believe there has been any mention here (yet) of his birthdate or his age, only his date of passing. Such information is, of course, standard in any regular newspaper-type obituary, so it should become available to the public, at least in the area of his home. I would be glad it someone could link us to such an obit, or to pass along a little more biographical data.

Again, condolences to his family, of course ~ and also to all the many people around the globe who depended upon Malcolm for answers to questions that no one else could be trusted to answer with such care and in such detail.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 02:47 PM

Malcolm's mum has asked that people do not make a fuss of her.

If you are coming to the funeral please respect this and pass it on.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 29 Mar 09 - 07:15 PM

I have come to this even later. I can't add anything original but I wish to register my agreement with all that has been said. It won't be the same without Malcolm's contributions, but let's do the best we can.

Richard

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 28 Mar 09 - 11:58 AM

Malcolm's contributions to Mudcat were always well informed,clear and to the point. I am grateful for the time that he gave to ensure that it was so. We will miss him.
Geoff Lawes

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 28 Mar 09 - 09:00 AM

I too will greatly miss Malcolm's knowledgable postins on Mudcat

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From:
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 09:06 PM

I'm so sorry to hear that Malcolm has passed on. Wonderful person from what I can see of all of what I could learn here over the years

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 08:07 PM

Sadly I did not know Malcolm but clearly he was held in high regard by friends here so I wish those who knew and loved him the deepest sympathies.

Joe G

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 07:59 PM

RIP Malcolm
A gentleman and a scholar who will be sadly missed
Kenny B

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 07:32 PM

Wyrd Sister, thank you for the link to Malcolm's artwork. I think I've seen the "loaded" badger before, but had no idea of the rest of it. Marvellous and makes the loss even more tragic.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST,Gina Le Faux
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 07:14 PM

It was a shock to hear the news of Malcolms death, I still can't get my head around it.

Gina Le Faux

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: meself
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 02:09 PM

Has there been an "official" obituary notice? If so, could someone post it, or direct us to it on the 'net? Thanks.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 02:03 PM

I am very sorry to hear this..although I have only recently begun to post here, I have been reading Mudcat for many years and always enjoyed and appreciated his vast knowledge...a great loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Trevor
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 09:12 AM

Just arrived late at this thread. I'm so sorry to hear this sad news - RIP Malcolm.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 07:58 PM

No problem Jim,

Sounds about right to me.

Dave

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: MC Fat
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 07:57 PM

Believe Wake/Session will take place at Kelham Island Tavern from 3pm in afternoon Thursday 2nd April. According to Trev at pub correct if wrong.
Jim

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 05:15 PM

What a shock. I was used to Malcolm's frequent rescue of questions no one else could answer, and often benefited from his encyclopedic knowledge.

His vast well of folksong information, as far as I know, was close to endless. He was very nearly as much a master of numerous ins and outs of American folksong as he was of his native British.

He did not suffer fools gladly, and was not afraid to be blunt. I knew if I got a point wrong on a thread, he would sternly set me straight. He expected us to be knowledgeable, even when we weren't, and lost no time in giving us a brusque comeuppance. (Hope nothing inaccurate crept into this one, Malcolm!)

But how we benefited,and how much he gave us! His tart presence was one of the major factors that made Mudcat what it is.

There can be no replacement. Malcolm was unique. This loss is huge for all of us, and I will sorely miss him.

Bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 01:34 PM

A few people have asked about dress code etc, at the funeral. First of all no flowers. Donations to go to the Macmillan Nurses. Dress casually.

Those who knew Malcolm personally will know he rarely appeared without a waistcoat. So if you have a fancy coloured waistcoat then wear it in his memory.