Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)

Subject: Obit: Chris Sugden (Sid Kipper)
From: GUEST,JoeG
Date: 05 Apr 24 - 04:53 AM

From Graham Pirt on Facebook

'It is with great sadness to let you know that Val rang me to say that Chris Sugden (Sid Kipper) passed away last night. She needs time today so you can make contact with me via messenger. I am seeing her tomorrow. Our thought are with her and Chris’s family'

Very sad news. A man who brought a lot of laughs to many people over the years.

More recently I have been enjoying his history of the Kipper family articles in the Tykes Stirrings magazine

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden (Sid Kipper)
From: GUEST,Sean O'Shea
Date: 05 Apr 24 - 05:56 AM

A true innovator and half of a fabulously entertaining duo.Not often does such skill come our way.

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden (Sid Kipper)
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 05 Apr 24 - 07:04 AM

A sad loss. There are many of his songs sung by Chris, and others, up on Youtube> https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=+Sid+Kipper++top+songs

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden (Sid Kipper)
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 05 Apr 24 - 07:37 AM

Away day, away day, loco in transit
Omnibus, St pancreas, away day
Away day, away day, loco in transit
Omnibus, St pancreas, away day

What stars they were...

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden (Sid Kipper)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Apr 24 - 08:26 AM

Awwwww, no :-( What a great loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden (Sid Kipper)
From: GUEST,Brimbacombe
Date: 05 Apr 24 - 08:28 AM

Chris injected that under-rated element of fun into the UK folk scene, and he supplied it in spades. Such sad news. My condolences to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: vectis
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 12:47 AM

Cris was truly unique, a one-off and slightly bonkers. A brilliant performer who became Sid Kipper once he had the costume on and remained Sid until he changed out. Once back in his own clothes he was the charming Chris again. I was lucky to spend enough time in his company to wish I lived closer to him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 02:30 AM

lovely friendly man ,Talented perfomer .RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: r.padgett
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 02:39 AM

The Kippers were a force to be reckoned with

Remember them coming to Barnsley years ago and everyone entered the spirit of fun they brought with them

Ray

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 02:52 AM

He was a great entertainer, not afraid to extract the Michael from the folk singing tradition in a humorous way. He was missed the day he retired, and I shall miss him even more now.

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 03:54 AM

Vectis' post reminded me. We booked Sid and Henry for one of our festivals. They arrived in costume and, yes, even off stage they remained in character the whole time. Sid even called a dance at the evening ceilidh - The dashing white privates:-D

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 09:24 AM

I bought 'em both a pint at half-time when they came to the Tree Inn in Stratton. They accepted (of course), but, as Dave said, they retained their on-stage personas throughout! Henry affected to be a bit taciturn, even with his pint, and looking grumbly without actually grumbling, and it took me a minute or two to not be taken somewhat aback.

Legends!

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: Anne Lister
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 12:18 PM

In the 80s we (myself and Mary McLaughlin, as the duo Anonyma) were frequently on the same guest list as the Kippers at festivals and other events. The first time I saw them in action was at a ballad workshop in Sidmouth, in which they sang "The Loaf and the Knife" and left a good 75% of the audience unsure whether or not they should laugh. I've told this story on FB, but for those who didn't see it - I was also sitting with Les Barker and Chris (not Sid) in a Sidmouth food tent when we were aware of two people hovering and debating with each other. "It IS him!", said one, "No, it isn't", said the other. Eventually one came up to Chris and asked "Are you Les Barker?" He replied in all seriousness that no, he wasn't, and off they went.
It could be confusing, because Chris and Sid were very different personalities and Sid was fond of flirting. Without thinking on one occasion I tried flirting with Chris, only to get a very blank stare back.
I have missed seeing him over the years. Now we won't meet again, and my life is the poorer for it.
And, following Steve's post above, my other Kippers vivid memory was more to do with Henry than Sid ... at a Durham festival, we were booked into a good hotel. We had a full day of events on the Saturday, and went back to the hotel for a quick freshen-up in the early afternoon, only to find that we had for some reason only been booked in to the hotel for one night, and the room had been cleared of all of our belongings (which were sitting behind the reception desk), ready for new occupants. I went in search of someone who could sort out where we could stay that night as we weren't going to drive back to London that late. Couldn't find a festival person, but did find Henry Kipper presiding over their merch stand. I blurted out the story to him, expecting sympathy. He looked at me as only Henry Kipper could, and said "Waal, if they put riff-raff like you into a hotel like that, what did you expect?" (We were later found a b&b, by the way)

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 06 Apr 24 - 02:20 PM

Don't forget "The Confidents", perhaps known to more as "I can't believe you like me", a remarkable song that so gently outlines feelings that the British stiff upper lip has difficulty dealing with.

I once asked Chris if there were any sea songs associated with Trunch.
He was a little evasive. The next year the Crab Wars came out.

Robin

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: GUEST,Mike Yates
Date: 07 Apr 24 - 05:49 AM

I loved hearing the Kippers. In an increasingly dismal and serious world they made me laugh. Loved their act.

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 24 - 06:52 AM

Original - that's the thing, And they came as if from nowhere.

A wonderful addition to the folk scene.

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 07 Apr 24 - 10:40 AM

Wonderfully talented, greatly missed.

I have added Chris to the "In Memoriam" thread and send my condolences to all those who know and love him. RIP Chris.

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: GUEST,Ernie Howard
Date: 08 Apr 24 - 05:24 AM

I've known Chris since we were at school together in Norwich. Even then I remember him doing a rendition of Strangers in the Bath, in a tin bath for the school review. Brought the house down.
Chris followed me to Leicester to do a pharmacy degree (his father was a pharmacist as well as a Methodist minister) but only did one year. I next came across him as half of the wonderful Kipper Family who I would always go to see whenever they came past East Yorkshire. Then he was the Rising Son (or the Star Fish) and we met again whenever he was nearby. We had the honour of putting hime up for the night a couple of times.
He was a unique performer, always so funny and clever. His books are an absolute delight. especially Prewd and Prejudice.
His retirement meant that we lost so much fun from the folk circuit. We still swapped Christmas cards though I haven't seen him for a long time.
Many will miss him but his legacy is priceless. RIP Chris

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 08 Apr 24 - 07:58 AM

I'm still coming to terms with this news. Chris was a huge talent, period. He created a unique presence on the English folk scene; he was in the very top league, a master parodist with literally unrivalled intelligence and wit. To say he will be missed is a massive understatement. RIP Chris, and thankyou for all the joy you have brought the folk world.

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: GUEST,Brimbacombe
Date: 08 Apr 24 - 08:22 AM

'A wonderful addition to the folk scene.'

They were indeed. On reflection, I think I loved The Kippers/Sid Kipper because they took the mickey out of the music we love with such a rare affection and intelligence. I have seen countless people mock folk music/folkies in England over the years in deeply unoriginal ways - usually sticking their finger in their ear, holding a pewter tankard and singing out of tune, with these boring stereotypes being 'the joke'. The Kippers were the antithesis to that in my eyes. They were laughing with us, not at us. You couldn't (re)write the songs they did without having a deep knowledge and love for English folk music. That's what made them so joyous for so many of us. I'll miss them terribly, but what a service they performed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 09 Apr 24 - 08:53 AM

That is SO true, GUEST Brimbacombe. Sid (Chris) was in a whole different league to the cheap'n'easy-target parodists, he had a genuine affection for our music and the tradition - and oh so cleverly crafted for our pleasure the nicest kind of in-joke, without any malice or desire to just take the p***. The hallmark of the best parody IMHO is the recognition of, affection for, and astute observance of, the original; that's why the Kipper parodies are successful - priceless and unequalled.

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 15 Apr 24 - 07:51 PM

Loved hearing the two of them as well as Sid solo. Apart from the songs, the chat was wonderful: could talk for ages about nothing and yet have us falling off our seats laughing. A bonus for me was hearing the Norfolk accent: having been brought up in Suffolk, there are close resemblances, but not many people can copy it convincingly.
Last saw Sid (Chris) live during a rare visit to Scotland (Girvan Festival) a few years back.
Favourite songs: the Death or Glory Wassail - I sing it every Christmas - and the Lord of the Dance parody.

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Apr 24 - 04:47 AM

he was very good as solo Sid Kipper, and very good with Henry Kipper.

Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Sugden [Sid Kipper](1952-2024)
From: GUEST,Bunny, Norwich
Date: 16 Apr 24 - 09:52 AM

First heard of The Kipper Family on their Christmas “ cassetty “ tape. Took up a chance to see Sid in a Northants village hall, I introduced myself as coming from Wymondham to which Sid (Chris) replied Ah the great metropolis! Took all my extended family, as a Christmas present, to Kipper Family farewell at the “ Mad Market” in Norwich. Saw him perform in a Loughborough pub, where a smart well dressed woman in heels was sipping her drink
I thought she would be the least likely to be a folk fan but she , like the rest of us, was soon shaking with laughter at his jokes, songs and homemade instruments.
He stayed at ours in Grantham when he was touring Lincolnshire folk clubs, Chris was a wonderful man, one of my all time musical heroes. I had a tee shirt The Rising Sun ( after the Kippers split ) when I wore it out my wife created a tea cosy from it, still used today.
When my daughter was still at school she was in trouble at the school Christmas concert for singing On the first day of Christmas my dog and I brought back a Partridge in an old sack, (and all the alternative 11 days of Christmas thanks to Kipper Family) She sent Chris a montage of all the 12 days to Chris, he sent her a lovely letter in response.
After he’d performed at our 19th wedding anniversary ( alternative to boring 25th) he stayed on for our boozy after party and overnight. The next morning he asked me in mock seriousness and in our slow Norfolk accent “ what’s this Dote that everyone is on about” I expressed surprise at this, he replied “Everyone is looking for an Anti Dote”.
Chris was a one off, I can hardly bear that I will never see him again.