Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)

Subject: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935 - 2018)
From: RTim
Date: 20 Nov 18 - 01:54 PM

A very sad day - Roy was an inspiration to us all.. Tim Radford

From his Web Site and Family:
Many of you will know that Roy has struggled with heart failure for over 30 years. Sadly today his condition finally claimed him. His last few days were peaceful and filled with love, family and friends whilst being cared for by the amazing folk at St. Luke's hospice in Sheffield.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935 - 2018)
From: nutty
Date: 20 Nov 18 - 01:59 PM

So sad - such an amazing man. Such a wonderful voice.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935 - 2018)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Nov 18 - 02:13 PM

Aye :-( Just saw the news myself. A very sad day for folk music, politics and most of all his fami!y and friends. My condolences to all of them.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey 20/10/1935 - 20/11/2018
From: Vic Smith
Date: 20 Nov 18 - 02:30 PM

His Wikipedia entry must have been updated with this sad news straight away.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey 20/10/1935 - 20/11/2018
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 20 Nov 18 - 03:22 PM

Vic, you are right. This week is not looking good. Thanks for posting the link to Roy's Wikipedia entry. That makes very interesting reading and I learned much that I didn't already know. My condolences to all those who know and love him. I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey 20/10/1935 - 20/11/2018
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 20 Nov 18 - 04:11 PM

That is sad. Roy was one of the greats. Condolences to family and friends. I have a lasting memory of Roy walking off stage at a packed Whitby concert leaving the audience singing 'Rolling Home'. Never seen that done before or since.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey 20/10/1935 - 20/11/2018
From: GUEST,Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 20 Nov 18 - 04:25 PM

Loved seeing Roy at the Dartmoor Folk Festival, many years back now...Just listening to him singing 'Everything Is Possible' as I write this. Lovely man, so caring.....

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-20 Nov 2018)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Nov 18 - 04:57 PM

He'd come to the Tree Inn Folk Club in Bude, latterly the Globe Hotel, back in the 90s. He was a lovely man. He even said very nice things about my harmonica playing!

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-20 Nov 2018)
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 20 Nov 18 - 06:09 PM

This is tragic. Two folk scene greats in the space of a couple of days.
Sympathies and condolences to his family and very many friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 20 Nov 18 - 07:57 PM

Sad news as Roy was special in so many ways to me. He joked with me some 20 plus years ago re heart problems. "Car parked near if I get there" I recall buying one of his LP records at Bedworth Festival with a £20 note. His reply was " no change now take it and pay next year or when I see you again" An excuse for a pint for me for the correct money and find him then sorted. I guess he leaves so many fond memories to many of a wonderful man

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Stewie
Date: 20 Nov 18 - 08:55 PM

Sad news indeed. He is my favourite UK singer from the folk scene. I have collected his wonderful recordings over many decades.

Vale Roy.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: rich-joy
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 01:53 AM

Roy certainly was/is one of The Greats - and thanks so much, Stewie, for introducing both Lawls and me to Roy's recordings, all those years ago.

They have been rich years indeed, with Roy's glorious singing prominent in the soundtrack - and I'll be raising a glass of the 'rich ruby red' tonight, to the memories.

R-J
Down Under

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 02:44 AM

One of the great voices of the revival has left us. We will miss him. Thanks Roy for everything, you were an inspiration to us all both musically and politically. Sad sad news.
Nick Dow

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 03:25 AM

Saw him many times from the mid – seventies onwards (and that was just because he didn’t get up to the North East very often before that) and I was always captivated by both his singing and his choice of songs. Last saw him with Tony Benn in “The Writing on the Wall” at Loughborough Festival which received the deserved standing ovation. RIP Roy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 04:43 AM

I first saw him (and his wife Val) at the High Wycombe Folk Chamber in the Mid Sixties . A Real Talent , he will be sadly missed !

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Mick Tems
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 05:14 AM

I saw Roy Bailey one night at the Roots Unearthed series at St David's Hall, Cardiff city centre, with a battery of singers including the lovely Frankie Armstrong and Leon Rosselson. Roy oozed intelligence, enthusiasm and ardent, fiery political passion; he was a brilliant communicator and a wonderful performer, and we shall not see his like again. My deepest condolences and sympathy go to Roy's family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: andymac
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 06:20 AM

Very sad news indeed. I saw him a good fe times but remember one particular gig at Partick Folk Club in Glasgow where he was nothing less than magnificent. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 06:36 AM

Obituary in today's "The Guardian"

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: StephenH
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 11:13 AM

A great voice and a great inspiration. Alongside all his moving performances of songs such as "Ghosts", and "If They Come in the Morning", I have a fond memory of his children's concert at the Vancouver Folk Festival in the late 80s. "You Need Skin" rang through the house for months afterwards.
There is a song which I'm sure I remember Roy singing, but can't remember its title, which contains the lines "My comrades are falling
like leaves from a tree/ but the tree still stands."
I guess it does, but Roy Bailey will be one of those leaves we will greatly miss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: John J
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 12:44 PM

Very, very saddened to hear of Roy's death.
:-(

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Anglogeezer
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 04:51 PM

StephenH ...... the lines "My comrades are falling like leaves from a tree, but the tree still stands."

are from "SONG OF THE EXILE" from his CD "WHAT YOU DO WITH WHAT YOU'VE GOT" of 1992.

here on U-tube ...Song of the Exile

Jake

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: StephenH
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 05:47 PM

Anglogeezer - thanks so much, that's been bothering me!
Cheers,
Stephen

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: GUEST,Erich
Date: 22 Nov 18 - 04:04 AM

Very sad news indeed. The world has lost an excellent singer of well chosen material and one of the last real socialists in a world getting colder every day. Not living in the UK I'm glad I saw him perform twice at Warwick Folk Festival.Condolences to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 22 Nov 18 - 04:36 AM

Very sorry to hear this; my condolences to his family and friends.

Roy regularly performed in a lay-by outside the gates of RAF Menwith Hill at the annual call for Independence from America.

And I last heard him sing in a moving performance of Gentle Men with Robb Johnson.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Johnny J
Date: 22 Nov 18 - 04:54 AM

Very sorry to hear this.

Roy was also one of the best "entertainers" on the scene which is often overlooked.

Yes, his choice of songs and subjects were often very serious and political and certainly made you think. However, his presentation was always warm, sincere, and humorous.
I believe this actually helped in getting the message across to the audience compared to the "preachy" approach which many protest writers and singers often choose to adopt.

Of course, he was a wonderful singer as well. What a voice.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: John Robinson
Date: 22 Nov 18 - 02:30 PM

Oh no! This has been such a terrible year of loss in many ways. I saw Roy play many times over the years, but I haven't had a chance to catch up with news from the folk scene until now.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Gozz
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 06:05 AM

Roy will be sorely missed by so many. His traditional annual appearance at Towersey Festival has always been packed out, beyond the tent. He was an inspiration to many, me included.

Condolences to his family and all those closest to him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: GUEST,addison10
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 08:28 AM

Obituary in today's Telegraph.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 10:44 AM

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2018/11/23/roy-bailey-folk-singer-toured-tony-benn-obituary/

Roy Bailey, folk singer who toured with Tony Benn – obituary

Roy Bailey, who has died aged 83, was a leading figure on the British folk music scene for more than 50 years, greatly heralded for the warmth and clarity of his voice and a wide repertoire of songs that most often reflected his staunchly socialist ideals.

He worked with many other leading folk music figures, notably Martin Carthy, Leon Rosselson, Billy Bragg, Dave Swarbrick, and his son-in-law Martin Simpson, although his most celebrated collaborations were with the late Labour MP, Tony Benn.

They met in 1974 and, discovering plenty of common ground in their political outlook, formulated a show together called The Writing on the Wall. This involved Benn telling entertaining anecdotes about historical...

I'm not a subscriber so I can't grab the entire thing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Nick
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 11:14 AM

I saw Martin Simpson last night on tour with Martin Taylor. I didn't realise he was Roy Bailey's son-in-law. And he told some very fond stories about him. And he sang a couple of his songs - including a very tasteful version of More Than Enough

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 24 Nov 18 - 08:54 PM

Stilly River Sage this one may work and your link after a few days of their publicity perhaps https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/nov/20/roy-bailey-obituary

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 Nov 18 - 03:09 PM

Hi Richard - I tried turning your link into a blue clicky and it's worked for me, so hopefully will for SRS too!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 25 Nov 18 - 10:03 PM

Kitty thank you

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 02:45 AM

Just heard that Roy's brother Ron (also an excellent entertainer and committed socialist) has been involved in a road accident and suffered a stroke. Really hoping for a rapid recovery, as he has long been a treasured member of our pub community.

The Baileys turned up together one Thursday night, and to our delight Roy performed 'Everything Is Possible'.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Davenutt
Date: 26 Nov 18 - 03:51 AM

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Roy Bailey. He was a wonderful singer and songwriter and many of his songs reflected his strong socialist principles which I respect and share. Sincere condolences to Roy's family and his many friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 10:55 AM

Roy was a good friend to the Bothy Folksong Club in Southport, harking back to his first appearance for us when he was part of a BBC Radio 2 'Folkweave' programme recorded in September 1973, MC'd by Tony Capstick and broadcast a month or two later. He was amazed many years later at being told he'd sung Ian Campbell's 'Old Man's Song' that night as he couldn't recall ever having learned or performed it!

My ancient cassette tape proved it was true - he HAD done it though I never heard him sing it again and he always looked quizzical when the matter cropped up as though I'd somehow faked the whole thing! He was part of a special concert to mark our 50th birthday in 2015 and gigged for us many times, the last occasion being this July - a magnificent end to that current season.

The world is surely the poorer for his passing - the many especially remembering him, with the few never knowing what they missed. Bless you Roy Bailey.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 04:08 PM

I'm sure he relearned the song after that revelation.
Derek

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: GUEST,Eric the viking
Date: 29 Nov 18 - 03:53 AM

Sad news. Saw him several times, such a gentleman.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: GUEST,Some bloke
Date: 29 Nov 18 - 04:08 AM

I did a floor set at a Folk Club in Sheffield many years ago and Roy was there. I still credit him with convincing me that night to concentrate on interpreting traditional songs as it can be fascinating and more fun that trying to write them.

This was after a bit of a bar debate over political songs...

I hope his wish for “freedom peacefully” came to fruition.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Elmore
Date: 01 Dec 18 - 10:23 PM

Had a chance to book him for a gig in the states in the eighties, but passed on it. What a fool I was. RIP Roy

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Davenutt
Date: 03 Dec 18 - 09:01 AM

It has been pointed out to me that Roy Bailey was not, in fact , a writer of songs. I attributed many of the songs he sang as coming from his pen but I was,apparently, mistaken. Of course, this in no way detracts from his lovely singing voice and interpretations and so many renditions of many wonderful songs. Thank you for the correction.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 03 Dec 18 - 06:54 PM

Davenutt, I remember being under the same impression. Bailey did not always announce, in his concerts at folk festivals, who had written the songs he was singing (or maybe the crowd was just too loud for me to hear his spoken introductions). I don't think he was trying to con anyone into believing he had written those songs – I suppose he just assumed the songs were well enough known that festival audiences would know who the writers were. Alas, he overestimated my musical knowledge on occasion.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Davenutt
Date: 04 Dec 18 - 09:27 AM

And mine too , Gerry !! Thankyou.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Gozz
Date: 04 Dec 18 - 11:04 AM

Davenutt and Gerry,
Roy made a song his own because of the depth of feeling he put into it I feel and that was a great part of his appeal. He also liked to educate an audience in a way that also entertained them. All these skills were perhaps enough in one man.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 05 Dec 18 - 08:32 AM

I was fortunate enough to see Roy perform on several occasions,including his collaboration with Tony Benn at a .cooperative conference in Rochdale, referring to himself, after Benn introduced himself as "just the fat singer".

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 05 Dec 18 - 09:13 AM

I remember Roy & Tony in concert locally. Roy was first up, introduced himself and his instrument and then said "... and I am going to be accompanied on the pipes by Tony Benn!"
Tony was smoking his pipe throughout the performance.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 29 Aug 19 - 07:07 AM

^ Nick mentioned Martin Simpson.

MS on BBC Wednesday gave a nice mention of Roy in hospital, joining in with a verse of More Than Enough (@ about 35:30) & sings More Than Enough.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0007w9h
>> ~35:30

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Bailey (1935-2018)
From: GUEST,Lydia
Date: 19 Oct 19 - 10:49 PM

Roy is sorely missed here in Seattle. What wonderful concerts he performed. Such a privilege to have heard him on so many occasions, including the Vancouver Folk Music Festivals in Vancouver, BC Canada