2024 Obit: Reg Chalker(Cliff Rescue & Helicopters)

Subject: Obit: Reg Chalker of Cliff Rescue & the Helis
From: Mick Tems
Date: 10 Aug 24 - 10:54 AM

Cas Smith (of Memories of Pontardawe Festival facebook) emailed the sad news that Reg Chalker, lead singer of the South Wales-based Cliff Rescue and the Helicopters, had passed away. Reg had been suffering from a brain tumour.

In recent years, Reg and his band (with a very young Mike Greenwood on melodeon) made the front page of the Welsh folk magazine Taplas. He lived in Newport, but relocated in Derbyshire, and Olly and I bumped into him when he travelled down to Pontyclun Athletic Club to sing at the late Russell Jones tribute night - Russell and his bodhran joined the Helicopters.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: Reg Chalker of Cliff Rescue & the Helis
From: GUEST,Dave Illingworth
Date: 11 Aug 24 - 11:24 AM

Thanks Mick.
I have happy memories of Reg at the Newport Folk Club and as lead singer of Cliff Rescue and the Helicopters.
A definite larger than life character.    Will be much missed.

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: Reg Chalker of Cliff Rescue & the Helis
From: Mick Tems
Date: 12 Aug 24 - 06:45 AM

Thanks, Dave... the 'recent' cover of Taplas was October/November 1988!

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: Reg Chalker of Cliff Rescue & the Helis
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 14 Aug 24 - 11:12 AM

Not even remotely a folk band but check them out on YouTube and Facebook (with your sound down low!) RIP Reg

Subject: RE: 2024 Obit: Reg Chalker(Cliff Rescue & Helicopters)
From: Mick Tems
Date: 17 Aug 24 - 11:11 AM

Don't think so, Pete. I like to think there was only one original Cliff Rescue and the Helicopters, and many bands just copied the name.
The 1988 front cover of Taplas featured Reg, Mike Greenwood on melodeon, Guy Bowden on dobro and Quince. In later years, Reg moved to Derbyshire; however, he re-formed Cliff Rescue with a completely different band of rock musicians.