Obit: Mike Sparks (1941-2021) UK

Subject: Obit: Mike Sparks 1941-2021 UK
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 10 Jan 21 - 04:47 AM

Very sad to hear of the passing yesterday morning (following a nasty fall and pneumonia) of my friend, Mike Sparks, who would have been 80 in June this year.

As a singer/songwriter, Mike had been around folk clubs in North London for more years than he cared to remember. He was, until June 2017, a resident singer and booking organiser at the Herga Folk Club and regularly performed at other venues.
Mike's song writing career began in the late 1980s since when a number of his songs have passed into the hands of others such as the late Johnny Collins; Graeme Knights; Lynne Heraud and Pat Turner; Tom and Barbara Brown and Tom Lewis. His songs are regularly heard in Club and Festival singarounds across the country and in places further afield such as Holland and the USA.
More recently Mike was a founder member of Barnet Hill Lifeboat Crew who perform shanties and sea songs for charity.
Mike was also a published playwright whose modern interpretations of Holy Week Mystery Plays have been regularly toured around Churches in North London and have been performed across the country as well as in Eire and Spain. Mike also presented Singing Sydney – the work of Sydney Carter, and wrote a presentation entitled The Glorious Madness which provided a different view of the Great War of 1914-1918 and featured songs written and performed by Les Sullivan.

Mike was awarded the MBE in the 2000 New Year’s Honours list for his services to youth work.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Sparks 1941-2021 UK
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 10 Jan 21 - 05:12 AM

I am very sorry to hear that. The many songs that I have half learnt but never finished learning include one of his. I never got around to buying a copy of his CD.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Sparks 1941-2021 UK
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jan 21 - 06:03 AM

So very sad. A lovely chap, wrote some great stuff, frankly an honour and a privilege to have had the opportunity to perform alongside him. Our thoughts are with his family today.

G&J

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Sparks 1941-2021 UK
From: GUEST,Bradfordian
Date: 10 Jan 21 - 06:53 AM

RIP Mike Sparks and condolences to family.
Through the songs on his CD, I felt that I had shared and continue to share a little bit of his talent.
Bradfordian

“A potato has feelings, not just eyes and peelings.......”

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Sparks 1941-2021 UK
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 10 Jan 21 - 09:09 AM

Very sad to hear this, and thanks for passing the news on Kitty.
I only had the privilege of meeting Mike twice, some years ago at Herga, and what a gentleman. An excellent songsmith - and parody writer - too. May he rest in peace. Condolences to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Sparks (1941-2021) UK
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 11 Jan 21 - 09:59 AM

I was sorry to hear this news. I never met Mike, but corresponded with him and have two of his excellent CDs. He was an accomplished songwriter and always had time for everyone. I have added him to the "In Memoriam" Thread. My condolences to all those who know and love him. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Sparks (1941-2021) UK
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 14 Jan 21 - 09:03 AM

Thank you Pete.

Kitty