Obit: Mac McGann (18 Feb 2011)

Subject: Obit: Mac McGann
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Feb 11 - 08:26 PM

West London has lost one of its better known characters with the death of Guitarist and Piano player Mac McGann on Friday 18th February 2011 .

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann
From: evansakes
Date: 19 Feb 11 - 09:28 AM

Sorry to hear the news about Mac. I didn't know him well but our paths crossed every now and again in the session scene around Richmond, Brentford and Isleworth.

Someone has put a 'tribute' You tube up in the last few hours filmed (I think) at the Watermans Arms Monday singaround session

Rain and Roadkill Mac McGann with his old mucker, Alan Young

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 19 Feb 11 - 09:52 AM

Sad to hear it. I remember Mac well from the Waterman's.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann
From: GUEST,paul stewart
Date: 19 Feb 11 - 10:14 AM

sorry about mac death remember him well good guitarist played and had drinks at the red lion isleworth,use to play with east of ealing ect. rest in peace

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 19 Feb 11 - 12:46 PM

Sad to hear this. He was in one of the '50s skiffle groups Levee Breakers and when I was looking for the lyrics to his "I'm Leaving you" which they recorded, Mudcatter "Steve Benbow's protege" (Pete Oliver)asked him and he kindly wrote them out for me & Pete passed them on.

RtS

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann
From: GUEST,John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Feb 11 - 12:58 PM

I remember him from oh so many gigs and his many musical incarnations. I first saw him with the Levee Breakers. In later years he backed Ralph McTell on his first 2 albums, maybe more. He was the first person I ever saw with a double necked guitar. He also had this odd habit of crossing his legs at the knee when sitting, and tapping the foot of the top leg on the stage to keep time. I could never manage that trick :)
He'll be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann (18 Feb 2012)
From: GUEST,Wendy AUngier
Date: 19 Feb 11 - 08:39 PM

Just heard tonight....ah, poor old Mac
RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann (18 Feb 2012)
From: michaelr
Date: 19 Feb 11 - 08:58 PM

er...hello...it's 2011...

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann (18 Feb 2012)
From: GUEST,Mik P EoE
Date: 20 Feb 11 - 02:03 PM

Nice to see some people remembering the old git!
I had the 'pleasure' of sharing a lot of hotel rooms, crosswords, the occasional beer/whiskey, stupid ideas, writing a few tunes and a lot of good times with Mac (& Doris) whilst East of Ealing were out and about.

He always had a better story to tell than anyone I've ever known!

I don't think he ever made it to Easter Island, the only ambition he ever revealed to me, which is a damned shame!

Let's not forget he was also a great artist, he added my name to a few "barred from one barred from all" lists out in the sticks and I've got one of his paintings hanging on my wall, Doris was so glad to get that one out of the house (it's a bit weird).

Diamond geezer, he will be missed.

Mik P (The other EoE guitarist)

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann (18 Feb 2012)
From: GUEST,Michelle
Date: 20 Feb 11 - 10:23 PM

Mac will be so sadly missed. Even though he had a good 45yrs on me he could still party me under the table. Had a great time in his house drinking Whiskey and going through all his photos and art work....He used to scare the Bejayzuss out of me but became a good friend.
RIP Macadoodle
Xxxx

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann (18 Feb 2012)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Feb 11 - 11:41 AM

MY fault the year is incorrect ! I have requested it to bo changed !

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann (18 Feb 2011)
From: GUEST,Damian Tasker
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 04:24 PM

This is very upsetting news indeed. The Brewery Tap has lost one of its strongest characters. He will be thoroughly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann (18 Feb 2011)
From: GUEST,JonR
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 12:53 AM

I just heard - sad news.

He was one of my first folk heroes, when I saw him in a concert at my old school in Ealing in 1966 (the first live gig I ever saw in my life) - with that same double-neck acoustic. Him and the equally late, great (and under-rated) Cliff Aungier.

Here's his myspace, if anyone doesn't know it:
http://www.myspace.com/bigmacandthesmallfries

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann (18 Feb 2011)
From: GUEST,Paul C EoE
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 08:47 AM

Had some great laughs with Mac on various tours. Many a time I was doubled up at one of his stories in the back of the Bus! My favourite is Mac removing all of the Wallpaper in his Hotel room because it "just didn't look right!" He left it all in a big pile in the middle of the room and checked out!

R.I.P Mac

Paul (EoE Drummer)

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann (18 Feb 2011)
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 07 Mar 11 - 07:04 PM

Bloody hell thats a shock.

Mac Initiated me into East of Ealing as washboard Pete.

We spent many drunk nights in the Ailsa with Dorris, Johnny Joyce and the "formation drinking club" and then back to McGann towers to listen to some old blues record or an unrelased tape of Dorris.

We always had a good laugh and he was always keen to know how my wife and kids were, how old they were and how many the count was up to...

His wit crippled me up at times and he will be sorely missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann (18 Feb 2011)
From: GUEST,Bob Love
Date: 08 Mar 11 - 08:59 AM

Sad to hear of Mac's death. What happened? Was he ill? I hadn't seen him for a couple of years but we did hundreds of gigs together in the 1990's as The Bog Standards (often with Dorris as special guest). Half expecting this to be a publicity stunt and for him to be telling me "yeh, the rumours of my death have been greatly exhagerated" Mac taught me loads of useful stuff for which I'm eternally grateful and was always pleasant company. He seemed to do everything so effortlessly and with great taste, style, humour and artistic flair. I loved him but not in a gay way. That's a good title for a song...

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann (18 Feb 2011)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Mar 11 - 08:07 PM

Mac had a bloody good send off !! Mortlake Crem was Standing Room only , and the wake at the Red Lion was definately up to Par

Subject: RE: Obit: Mac McGann (18 Feb 2011)
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 12:45 PM

Mac's obit was in today's 'Independent'.