dick gaughan - health?

Subject: dick gaughan
From: GUEST,Eric Armstrong
Date: 06 Sep 16 - 01:16 AM

I have heard that Dick Gaughan has recently had some health problems.Does anyone have any further details

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: GUEST,RA
Date: 06 Sep 16 - 04:42 AM

Yes, he has. I'm not sure what the exact nature of them is but he's still gigging so I believe it's not too serious.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Sep 16 - 04:44 AM

Is it really any of your business to pry. Eric?

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 06 Sep 16 - 07:48 AM

There's as much information about Dick's health and other issues as anyone is entitled to know in a thread on the Gaughan Forum, in the section "Gaughan queries/discuss." Don't be so harsh, Guest. It's fine to express concern about the artists we admire when they apparently vanish from the scene. Prying is a whole nother thing entirely.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 06 Sep 16 - 08:32 AM

Saw and interviewed Dick at York's Black Swan FC at the end of last year. It is true he is not on top form, but he is a legend. Some, like me, would pay the entry fee just to be in the same room as him.

I did hear one disgruntled punter say that they would never go to a Gaughan gig again, but I think they expected too much. Dick, like many of us, is knocking on a bit now. His gigs are as much about nostalgia as they are about performance.

After all he has given to the folk scene over the years it would be nice to see organisers continue to book him for as long as he wants to keep performing and as long as he can still draw his fans.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 06 Sep 16 - 08:53 AM

Amen, Uncle Tone.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 06 Sep 16 - 09:11 AM

Have seen him three times. He's a legend live. I took all the albums of his that I'd bought to one gig and he signed the lot! If he sees this (he has been here), all the best from me.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: GUEST,Alex S
Date: 06 Sep 16 - 09:18 AM

A great performer

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: GUEST,Pat Cooksey.
Date: 06 Sep 16 - 05:15 PM

A good friend over a long number of years, we are all getting on a bit but hope Dick can make many more, great singer and songwriter.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: GUEST,gecko
Date: 06 Sep 16 - 09:16 PM

Sorry to hear that Dick G isn't having the best of health. He's been my favourite male folkie for many years and I've been fortunate to see him both here in Australia and in England and Scotland too. Best Wishes to Dick for a return to health in the near future.
YIU
gecko

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Sep 16 - 08:37 PM

Has not updated his site in a bit. WTF

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 08 Sep 16 - 03:24 AM

"Guest ...WTF"

You're right, his www is out of date.*

He does have some 2016 gigs listed on
https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/dick-gaughan


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Maybe you could start a new thread with tips and examples of how you maintain your own websites.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: GUEST,Bloke in Groucho mask
Date: 08 Sep 16 - 03:33 AM

One of the finest musically speaking.

I fully agree with the comment above that seeing him perform these days is as much nostalgia as anything. The last time I saw him, he wasn't firing on all fours but like Martin Carthy doing a local gig whilst full of head cold last year which affected his performance in many ways, it's not just the artistic level, it's the comfort level of exploring your own past.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 08 Sep 16 - 03:44 AM

I rather doubt he'd be flattered to be seen as a nostalgia item.

I could find out more, since I live near Edinburgh and know people in common, but I'm not going to. If DG thought it would be helpful for his private concerns to become public knowledge he'd have publicized them himself.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: GUEST,RA
Date: 08 Sep 16 - 04:03 AM

Well, a friend of mine saw/heard Dick in concert in Edinburgh recently, and apparently he was talking fairly openly onstage about his recent health problems.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Allan Conn
Date: 08 Sep 16 - 12:22 PM

Pretty widely posted on Facebook that there is a concert being held in Belfast with proceeds going to Dick to help him through this period.




https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/289584

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: GUEST,Bloke in Groucho mask
Date: 08 Sep 16 - 02:40 PM

I doubt he would be flattered Jack. He wasn't too impressed many years ago when I told him his overtly narrow political theme running through his work turns many people away from appreciating the artistic brilliance captured within it.

He told me to get f*cked if I recall, which ironically was the reaction I had been fishing for.

Smashing bloke and principled with it.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Sep 16 - 07:21 PM

Yes he is. And yes, his politics are expressly stated in his work. Christy is another chap who does that too. I do like their politics. Woody Guthrie did his politics through people's stories and an especially unaggressive turn of phrase, poetically expressed some might say. Which is the better way of getting your message across? Well, Woody did it by making you forget he had a message to put across...

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 06:15 AM

I like the sound of his music, but his politics can fry in hell.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 06:19 AM

Well let's ask him to do hummed versions of his songs just for you.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Johnny J
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 07:54 AM

I don't agree with all of Dick's political views but he is a very principled man. You know what you are going to get at a Dick Gaughan concert and you can choose whether or not to go.

Having said that, I do miss hearing some of the more traditional songs and tunes( Coppers and Brass was a great album)but many of the "purist traddies" weren't keen in the old days either as I recall.

However, it's a good think to have your own views challenged from time to time even if you still don't change your mind in the end.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 08:16 AM

I love the sound of his music but not of his hideous politics!

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 09:39 AM

Yes, we know. You've told us already.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 09:44 AM

Love the politics too.

The last time I saw him, it was 15 years ago tonight. He was here for 9/11, and I remember he had a concert scheduled that night. I'm pretty sure he played it.

After that tour, I believe it got much more complicated for non-US citizens to get into the country. That's my take on why he never came back, but it's just a guess

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: BanjoRay
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 10:06 AM

Back in the early 70s Dick stayed at our house with Boys of The Lough for an early gig of theirs. Dick spent about 4 hours that night trying to teach me the subtleties of poker without trying to win money off me! Great guy, great singer. His politics is his business but his political songs are worth hearing....
Ray

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 10:11 AM

Steve Shaw, you try posting from an iphone in Spain with intermittent wifi connection!!

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 11:59 AM

I have done, including for ten days this summer. Got back three weeks ago from Almería province in Andalucía. The way round it is to turn off wifi and use 4G, which is really good in Spain. Borrowing a chunk of wifi at hotspots and hotels is bloody useless. As from next summer you'll be able to use your UK data allowance. Up to now I've taken Vodafone Eurotraveller, which allows you to use your UK plan for three quid a day. Sounds a lot, but I use the internet all the time and have to ring my mum back in the UK a lot. Even if you're in a 3G area only, it's better than wifi hotspots. It's great to just pretend you're at home for the cost of just three quid a day! I think I might have just left wifi switched off all the time I was there except when I was at my mate's house logged into his broadband.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 12:31 PM

Thanks for that, we are at Playa San Juan 20 minutes by tram from Alicante, away from the tourist area.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 12:43 PM

Well we were in the Alpujarras, miles from anywhere, tiny hill villages only, staying in a remote cortijo. Not a tourist for miles, just village bars with tapas and wine you had to be careful about. The Cruzcampo is great on hot days though innit! The 4G coverage was pretty good, failing that 3G just about everywhere. It was the same in Puglia in Italy in June. The 4G in Puglia was so good that I was able to watch World Cup matches on the Beeb on my iPhone!

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 03:23 PM

Sounds wonderful!

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Hagman
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 08:50 PM

Quite cool here in Melbourne, some rain, but no sheep weather alert. WiFi is fine at the moment.

Get well, soon, Dick. We need to see you down here again. Every concert is different, but every one has an electrifying moment - greatest one for me was "Song For Ireland" at The Basement in Prahran many many tours ago.

As one other musician remarked, "His interminable tuning-up can be really annoying, but, boy, is it worth it!"

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: GUEST,Sol
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 07:50 AM

Some folk may not resonate with politics, tuning up time or the team he supports but hey, two out of three's okay for me.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 07:56 AM

Song for ireland was written by phil and june colclough.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 04:01 PM

If you don't like his politics just buy dozens of copies of 'Coppers and Brass ', his instrumental album. Sorted.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 04:49 PM

Info from The Black Swan Folk Club, York.

Dick had a mild stroke last year which earlier this year finally got diagnosed. He lost a lot of movement in his right hand, which is why he can no longer do finger picking on the guitar (although he can still strum it ok). He also has mildly slurred speech from the stroke. He is very weak, and shouldn't be working, at least not for more than one 45-min set.

He has only done 3 or 4 gigs this year. He now knows to stop when his voice gives in. He can no longer stand when doing gigs, and his agent and dear friend, John Barrow, had to drive him to his last gig from Edinburgh.

There will be a large benefit gig for him later in the year or more preferably during Celtic Connections. In the meantime, he can't do any more gigs this year. He is on a long waiting list with the NHS to be evaluated for physical therapy.

He announced this on stage and possibly at The Fringe Show last week.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Vic Smith
Date: 13 Sep 16 - 09:56 AM

A Statement circulated by Dick's long-term agent, John Barrow of Stoneyport Agency:-

It has been observed that Dick Gaughan's performances in recent months haven't been "full-strength Dick Gaughan".

Dick has just authorised me to circulate this statement about his health.
---
This statement about Dick Gaughan's health should be read before reading or believing anything else.

Dick has now stated publicly at two recent gigs that, "In order to prevent rumours spreading, I think I have had a stroke".
It is untrue to say that he cannot sing or play guitar.
However in saying what he has said, Dick is acknowledging that 'something', as yet unconfirmed, is not right.

Dick has an appointment with a neurologist in early October 2016 when the situation will, it is hoped, be clarified.
Until then "I think I have had stroke" is not an opinion based on medical fact.
==================

Watch this space for updates.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 13 Sep 16 - 11:31 AM

Maybe John Barrow could pass this on?

My wife (who Dick has met) had a stroke which seems to have been of similar severity a few years ago. The NHS was not very helpful or coordinated about it, after the initial hospital investigations bit; what she found VERY helpful in contrast was the helpline of the Chest Heart and Stroke charity. They are extremely practical and knowledgeable. With this, you want get help sooner rather than later; the right sort of rehabilitation measures really make a difference. There are a lot of programmes in existence, but a hospital neurologist isn't necessarily the best person to find them.

It helps to volunteer for any experimental rehab programme or research project going. They'll put you in touch with others, and something will work.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 13 Sep 16 - 07:25 PM

"I think I have had a stroke" needs to be confirmed one way or the other, and urgently. Current guidelines suggest earlier consultation and investigation than October 2016.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Sep 16 - 08:07 PM

The stroke he thinks he had happened months ago, I believe. "Urgent" was for back then.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 13 Sep 16 - 08:40 PM

Amidst all the speculation, announcements and comments from afar, lets wish Dick a swift and full recovery.

If there is to be a benefit concert we should all be in full support of it.

Just rest up Dick. Healing vibes coming your way.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Sep 16 - 08:53 PM

Uncle Tone, if there could be a way to stream the benefit concert, I'm sure I'm not the only person who'd want to donate.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Sep 16 - 01:11 AM

As one who has the very highest regard for Dick Gaughan as a guitarist, a singer and as a person, I am very concerned that he is having to struggle on, thinking that he may "have had a stroke"
what on earth has the NHS come to that he is not diagnosed and directed to the appropriate course of treatment at the EARLIEST opportunity.
Dick should be aware that there are many many people who care deeply for him are very concerned for his well-being are praying for him.

Eric Armstrong

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 14 Sep 16 - 03:37 AM

"what on earth has the NHS....."
Underfunded - is my first reaction.
Knowing and sharing Dick's "hideous politics", I have little doubt that it would be his as well.
Are comments like this really necessary at a time like this?
Suppose they are for some.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 14 Sep 16 - 04:58 AM

Sorry, Jeri, but possible stroke, whether acute (now) or months ago, needs investigating, as there may be ongoing underlying causes, potentially treatable: this is crucial in terms of preventing further episodes. I am only quoting recognised UK stroke management guidelines.
And he could also now be having professional rehab for the episode he "may have had". I agree with Eric. Of course, we don't know how much medical advice he has had to date, but on the face of it, it sounds as if he should be seen much sooner than October.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Vic Smith
Date: 14 Sep 16 - 05:46 AM

Underfunded - is my first reaction.
....and should be every sensible, thinking person's reaction. We have Jeremy Hunt's attempts to bully the junior doctors and debase their position with the imposition of a contract which will lead to vast increase in their unsocial hours and to tired doctors. A tired doctor is a dangerous one. All the media publicity devoted to this is a smokescreen to divert attention from the shockingly underfunded state of the NHS. The creeping privatisation of health care with large amounts of government funding going to shareholders and overpaid CEOs means that tax payers are obtaining decreasing value from their investment in the NHS. All this at a time when an aging population requires increased investment in health care not the reduction that we are suffering at present. This position is likely to be exacerbated by the fact that the one million plus foreign born NHS staff are feeling that they are no longer welcome in the UK because of the vicious anti-immigrant rhetoric promoted by Brexiteers. God knows what position the NHS would be in if even a quarter of the highly qualified staff decided to leave.
One of the main results of all this is the great lengthening of waiting time for NHS appointments across the board.
Where does this leave Dick Gaughan? I know from long conversations with him on the many times that he has stayed with us after being booked at the folk club we ran. I know him to be a man of principle. I know that he has had to wait for treatment for previous conditions.
Would he jump queue by going private? Would he try to have his own appointment brought forward at the expense of others? If you don't know the answer to both these questions, then you do not know Dick Gaughan.

I can only report that I feel very angry when I read uniformed, ignorant comments from an unnamed guest that read:-
what on earth has the NHS come to that he is not diagnosed and directed to the appropriate course of treatment at the EARLIEST opportunity.
Dick should be aware that there are many many people who care deeply for him are very concerned for his well-being are praying for him.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 Sep 16 - 06:10 AM

One of the main reasons people don't get urgent treatment for a stroke is that they don't realize it's happened. First-line treatment for stroke in Edinburgh is very good, but you have to actually ask for it.

Please pass on my suggestion about CHAS. They operate in parallel to the NHS and you don't need a doctor's referral to use their excellent advice line.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Johnny J
Date: 14 Sep 16 - 08:41 AM

"Underfunded". I'm sure it is.

However, Scotland has its own NHS system over which Jeremy Hunt has no jurisdiction and health mattters are the responsibility of The Scottish Government.

It's not my place to comment any further on any treatment which Dick may or may not have had. It's probable that he has already received some medical advice and assistance in the meantime even although he is still having to wait to see a specialist. I don't know but it's his business.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Vashta Nerada
Date: 14 Sep 16 - 09:47 AM

I have changed my mind about this thread. What was once informational has turned into unseemly speculation about his health in a public forum and riffing on the National Health Service. I have to agree with the rude guest above - it's nobody's business.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: GUEST,Gillymor
Date: 14 Sep 16 - 10:04 AM

Good luck, Dick and when you've feeling right come to South Florida, we'd love to see you here.

Subject: RE: dick gaughan - health?
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 14 Sep 16 - 11:12 AM

Corrected Link: Fund for Dick Gaughan

Sorry. Corrected link!