Obit: Brian Jacques (15June 1939 - 5 Feb 2011)

Subject: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 09:02 AM

I've just heard that Brian passed away in the early hours of Saturday 5th Feb from a heart attack.

Although more recently well-known as an author (Redwall series, etc), Brian was very well-known on the Liverpool folk scene in the 60s and 70s, as a solo artiste and as a member of The Liverpool Fishermen. My enduring memory of the Fishermen is their performance of "The Octopus Reel", where each played with one hand on his own instrument and his other hand on the next instrument in the line! Brian also played in a duo with Liz (I'm sure someone will remind me of the duo's name - I remember it was something nautical).

He was a very engaging and humorous performer, and I have many happy memories of him.

R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: banjoman
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 09:34 AM

Very sad news as we knew Brian quite well in his earlier days with the Liverpool Fishermen and we also knew his partner Liz.
No doubt there will be a lot of people arounf the Liverpool scene who will be sad to hear this news

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: GUEST,Roy Clinging
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 12:18 PM

I think the duo name (although I'm fairly sure it was a trio when i saw them) was 'Brigantine.'

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques
From: Gibbo
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 12:30 PM

Only heard the sad news today. I had some wonderful times with Brian - we first met at the Hale Road Labour Club in Walton 1970 and over the years did a few things together, notably playing at R.A.F. Sealand along with the Ian Campbell Folk Group. In the early 1980's we recorded a cassette together at Radio Merseyside. The tape was called " Trekatape " and it was an audio guide to Liverpool - way ahead of it's time !! I still have my copy which I treasure. On the night we recorded it the sound engineer was out on the Liverpool Coach bringing the team home after winning the European Cup ( lucky sods !! ) and while we waited for the engineer Brian suggested we go for a drink in the Eagle pub in Paradise Street - four hours later we went back to the studio and recorded the whole thing in one night. You can't really tell we'd had a few - honest. Lots of fond memories of the great man - my sympathy to all his family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 12:38 PM

So sad to hear. ‎Our family loved the Redwall series. With all the little songs in the books, it makes sense to learn he was an active folkie.

We met him at a book signing at a favorite children's books/toys store in Arizona once.

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 12:42 PM

Brian Jacques official web site.

Redwall author Brian Jacques dies aged 71

7 February 2011
BBC

A former merchant sailor whose children's books sold millions worldwide has died aged 71.

Brian Jacques' Redwall series of books were translated into 29 languages and sold 20m globally.

He first wrote the series, set in an abbey populated by animals, for children at the Royal Wavertree School for the Blind in Liverpool.

The Liverpool-born writer's weekly show, Jakestown, ran on BBC Radio Merseyside for more than 20 years.

He died after a heart attack at the weekend and leaves a wife and two grown up sons.

Literary talent

Mr Jacques grew up near to the docks in Liverpool and when he left school at 15, travelled the world as a merchant seaman.

In the sixties, with his two brothers, he formed a folk group called The Liverpool Fishermen.

He wrote 21 novels in the Redwall series, which were also turned into a TV series and an opera.

Some critics compared them to JRR Tolkein's Lord Of The Rings and Watership Down by Richard Adams.

Even as a child he showed literary talent.

He was caned by a teacher who could not believe that a 10-year-old could write so well when he penned a short story about a bird who cleaned a crocodile's teeth.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 05:29 PM

I've been picking up copies of the "Redwall" series over the past few years, having recognised the author as the same person I had seen (once only!) leading the Liverpool Fishermen on a visit to the Taverners' club at the King's Arms in Blackpool - must have been early seventies. I can't remember if they did the "Octopus Reel", but there was certainly that level of showmanship about them - a real lively evening.

Sorry to hear of Brian's death.

Ross

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: Noreen
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 07:08 PM

Sad news.

I remember Brian well from his Radio Merseyside broadcasts- I had some of his monologues recorded on tape and remember one in particular -about the Romans landing at Gladstone dock. The dockers told them where to go because they didn't have their Union cards, so they went to Chester which then became a port before Liverpool.

The only bit I can remember now is:

"...and then we'll build a cathedral, and we won't be praying for YOU!
Ah, go sling yer 'ook" said the dock gate cop,
"We've already got two!"

(I'd love to hear the rest of it again)

It was a great surprise to find him as the author of the Redwall books in later years when my son started reading them.

Rest in Peace, Brian.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: Janie
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 07:57 PM

I'm sad to hear this. Had no idea he was a folk musician. older teenage son, who is sitting here with me, expresses his sadness also. Says the Redwall series are his favorite books of all he ever read and/or that we read together in those lovely old days when he let me read to him every night.

Our condolences to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: GUEST,Fan
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 09:11 PM

Brigantine was the trio name. RIP =(
http://redwall.wikia.com/wiki/A_Gig_wid_Brig

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: GUEST,Chris from Wigan
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 09:37 PM

A sad loss to the folk community and the to writing community. My thoughts are with all those who were close to him.

R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: Paul Reade
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 12:54 PM

Brian appeared a couple of times with "Brigantine" at our club in Sale, Manchester in the 70s and always went down a storm.

Later on I remember reading the "Redwall" novels as bedtime stories for my young son

A sad loss

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 02:05 PM

It was Brigantine, thanks for jogging my memory. And yes, Roy, I seem to remember it started out as a trio, but after a bit it became just Brian and Liz.

I also remember Brian being a collector of short anecdotes of the ilk of schoolchildren's answers to exam questions, and part way through a gig he would read out a list of them. Hilarious!

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 10:29 PM

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: Janie
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 11:06 PM

Information about what is apparently the only album recorded by The Liverpool Fishermen.

Swallow the Anchor.

Brian Jacques wrote the title song.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: GUEST,Fan
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 01:04 AM

Does anyone know why some of the news articles refer to Brian's wife as "Maureen"??

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 10:57 AM

NY Times obituary

Here is a relatively lengthy story in the NY Times from 2001.

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 20 Feb 11 - 03:06 PM

The funeral was for close friends and family only, but there will be a memorial service in the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool at 11am on Friday 4 March, to which all are welcome. (Info from Eddie Morris of Parkgate Folk Club via John Owen of Folk North West magazine.)

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: GUEST,Alan H
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 10:34 AM

New Brian and Liz ( Crampton ) from folk Days all through the 70's. Followed them around to many folk venues, always a pleasure to listen to. Remember his monologues well and Liz's rendition of Amazing Grace , although not strictly folk, was magical, still the best version I've heard. Liz and Brian were partners for many years but seems to have been airbrushed out of his official life story, even wikipedia was changed recently to leave her out. They were a lovely couple. God bless Brian.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: Mrrzy
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 12:11 PM

Yes, I was very sad to read this, as was one of my sons, not so much for Redwall (my sorrow) but for his Flying Dutchman series...

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 10 May 11 - 06:34 PM

Brians wife is called Maureen Jaques and they have two sons.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: GUEST,GUEST2
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 12:11 PM

Could someone differentiate between Maureen Jacques and Liz Crampton please?

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jul 14 - 05:39 AM

Liz Crampton was his "mistress" I suppose. Brian and Maureen never divorced but were not "together" in that sense for a long time.

Brian didn't want to upset the family life his kids had and then in the end I think everyone just got used to Liz and he not being married so I don't believe a marriage ever happened.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Feb 16 - 08:29 PM

Brian was the love of Liz's life. She met him in the mid 60s, when she was about 16.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques 5 Feb 2011
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 05 Feb 16 - 08:50 PM

Very sorry to hear this. the Redwall books were wonderful.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques (15June 1939 - 5 Feb 2011)
From: GUEST,Paddy
Date: 01 Aug 16 - 02:59 PM

Hi, this is super late but I was reminded of it and did a google search.

Liz is my dad's sister (though I've not been on contact with my dad's family for 25 years).

I'm under the impression the "Mistress" version of events is the right one.

My mum told me that even when Liz and Brian were together, Brian still lived with his wife and didn't want to break up their family life, to protect the kids. Maureen is said wife. I'm unsure if they ever did divorce/Brian and Liz ever married, but I suspect that lots of people assume he and Liz were married which is why you see obituaries mentioning His wife Liz and their two sons (even though the sons are not Liz's children).

Then it looks like in some cases people have read and "fact checked" obituaries because very similar wordings come out with "his wife Maureen, and their two sons"

Subject: RE: Obit: Brian Jacques (15June 1939 - 5 Feb 2011)
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 02 Aug 16 - 12:32 PM

I've searched Youtube, but I can't find any examples of Brian singing.
Any suggestions where to look?