OBIT: Rod Shearman RIP

Subject: Rod Shearman RIP
From: vectis
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 03:21 PM

I have just been told that Rod Shearman died at 10am BST today. He had his family with him and died peacefully after a long battle with cancer.
Rod was a lovely, gentle man, a great singer and songwriter and a good friend to many.
I will miss him greatly.

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: nutty
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 05:04 PM

Although the news was not unexpected, it does not lessen the sadness at the passing of such a fine man.

I feel proud to have known him and glad that his memory will live on in his songs.

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 05:46 PM

I echo the sentiments in the last two postings. He and I once went hitch-hiking around the country together, calling into folk clubs all the way. A wonderful man and a good friend. I'm very sad today. A good man has gone.

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 05:56 PM

Gutted. Oddly enough, we were discussing him at that very moment.....

Shall miss him a great deal.

LTS

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: GUEST,Judy Predmore
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 12:49 AM

Vectis, Thanks for letting us know. I met him briefly a couple of years ago, during an "up" phase of his health & he was starting to get out to festivals again. I was hoping to get him over to the USA... Well, at least his songs have made it over. And he seemed as special & nice a man as his songs.

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Gervase
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 04:47 AM

Aye, the Big Fella's gone, and will be sorely missed.
But, being Rod, he went in style. The funeral was booked (provisionally, of course!) and paid for at Kensal Green (it'll be either 20 or 23 July, depending on when Dave Weber can get there) and he stressed that it should be in the afternoon, so that any mates who wanted could sneak off from work and turn up. He also stipulated that there should be a wake at Cecil Sharp House afterwards, which is now in hand. What's more, in the past couple of weeks he was working on around a dozen new songs!
Such willpower and spirit...

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Gervase
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 04:55 AM

PS: Sheila Finn at Cecil Sharp House ([phone]) is acting as a point of contact for those who want to go to the wake - which is intended as a celebration of Rod's remarkable life.
Things are still being arranged, but drop her a line and she'll then let you know the details as soon as they're finalised.

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: GUEST,Brian
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 05:22 AM

We visited Rod a few times during his last few weeks. Despite the terrible effects of his illness and the medication, he remained in good spirits and humour throughout. He never gave up, and even in the last few days had set himself something more to achieve.

Not only was Rod a fine singer, songwriter and musician (in recent years he had been forced to give up playing), he was kind hearted, good company, and a gentleman. The few occassions he stayed with us were wonderful. There was always something more to learn of him, or from him. When the time came for him to leave, it always felt too soon.

While Rod's death is a dreadful loss to his family, his friends and to folk music, he will suffer no more pain. We welcome that.

It was only ten days ago that I had to tell Rod of Pete Wragg's death. We have now lost two good friends, and lovely people in as many weeks. I guess there's a good folk festival going on somewhere.

Is the big fella gone? The body maybe. The spirit, the songs, the memories - NEVER!

Brian

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Morticia
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 07:09 AM

This is such a sad day....a lovely, talented man.

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 07:19 AM

Lovely gentleman. Lovely songs.

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Gervase
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 09:16 AM

Rod's funeral has been arranged for Friday of next week (20th July) at 3.30pm.
It will be in West Chapel, West London Crematorium, Kensal Green, on the Harrow Road.
Dave Webber, Anni Fentiman and Jim McGeean will sing. No flowers by request.
There will be an informal get-together after the funeral at Cecil Sharp House.

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: GUEST,Guest _ Jim McDonald
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 09:34 AM

So sorry to hear the news. I've been promising to learn 'London River' for years in fact Rod sent me the words now I've got to learn it as a matter of respect. I won't be able to make the funeral but my thoughts are with his family I shall miss the big fella ' a diamond geezer'. Jim

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Gervase
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 10:25 AM

Somehow Kensal Green seems rather appropriate...

...My friends we will not go again or ape an ancient rage,
Or stretch the folly of our youth to be the shame of age,
But walk with clearer eyes and ears this path that wandereth,
And see undrugged in evening light the decent inn of death;
For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen,
Before we go to Paradise by way of Kensal Green.
(The Rolling Road - GK Chesterton)

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: treaties1
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 02:31 PM

Fond memories of a lovable gentleman who shared his songs and smiled at my harmonies in the Whitby Yacht club unnoficial late night sings. Gone but definitely not to be forgotten

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 02:48 PM

Rod Shearman

I was saddened to hear of the loss of one the folk scene's finest gentlemen .

His songs such as "The Big Fella", and "Sail Away" have been in my group's repertoire for a number of years. In fact he specially recorded "Sail Away" on tape for us. "London River" is another of my favourites.

We shall miss him and our thoughts go out to his family.

Unfortunately I won't be able to come to his funeral and wake. But I shall be thinking of him and of his great contribution to the folk fraternity.

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: grumpy al
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 03:24 PM

So sad to hear of Rods departure. I didn't know him very well, met him a few times in Bristol at the Eric Illot memorial tour, but sich a lovely gentle, generous man, He will be sadly missed around here.God Bless and safe journey Rod I hope you find a safe berth

Grumpy Al

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 05:14 PM

Re: My previous message.

The late Rod Shearman wrote "London River" and not "Marching Inland". (Sorry, Tom Lewis!)

We shall miss Rod.

"Haul Away for Heaven." - "That's where you're bound to go!"

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 05:37 PM

Gervase, send me details of the wake please, can't make the funeral but am only a spit and a bus ride from C#Hse, tell me when the wake starts. I've not sung for a couple of months, I want to sing for Rod.

LTS

Subject: RE: OBIT: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Gervase
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 03:57 AM

Liz,

The wake's still in the process of being organised, but should be from around 5pm. Ping an e-mail to Sheila at CSH and she'll give you all the details as they're finalised.

GW

Subject: RE: OBIT: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Ralphie
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 05:19 AM

May I add my thoughts. Memories of Rod down the years are numerous, and happy. May he live on in his songs. All good thoughts to his family and friends, A pleasure to have known him.
Ralph

Subject: RE: OBIT: Rod Shearman RIP
From: GUEST,Marion, Robin and Roisin
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 12:27 PM

Sad to hear that Rod has passed away. A great guy. Some Chilean and Irish admirers of his songs and character will be attending his funeral.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Lanfranc
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 12:30 PM

Another good man gone!

It's all been said.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Rod Shearman RIP
From: nutty
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 11:25 AM

REFRESH

Subject: RE: OBIT: Rod Shearman RIP
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 05:25 AM

Subject: RE: OBIT: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Gervase
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 11:52 AM

Refreshing, for them that would like to come...
Anyone who can't make Kensal Green is welcome at Cecil Sharp House from around 4.30, where a wake will be held in the bar and Trefusis rooms - seeing Rod off in style with beer and song.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 06:59 PM

I'll be there from about 5.00 Gervase. See you.

LTS

Subject: RE: OBIT: Rod Shearman RIP
From: vectis
Date: 19 Jul 01 - 08:03 PM

Sadly I have 40% of my department off sick at the moment so I can't make it. Rod would understand and I'll be thinking of him. Wake him well folks he was a good mate to have. I'll miss him.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Gervase
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 08:54 AM

Rod was seen off in style, with friends from the length of the land crammed into the chapel at Kensal Green.
The humanist service was conducted beautifully by John White (a regular MC at Sharp's) to a detailed plan arrange by he and Rod in the weeks before Rod's death.
It reflected Rod's passions for both music and politics - and included as almost the opening remark: "I want it to be known that I died as I lived - as a Communist."
Rod was buried in his ANC tee-shirt and walking boots, while over the coffin was draped the "Rebel Oak" red flag. He lived, as John said, to the maxim of Tom Paine: " My country is the world; and my religion is to do good."
Jim McGeean, Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman sang Is the Big Fella Gone? and the service ended with Rod's Here's to Friends.
And then came the wake..!
...which was excellent, with plenty of singing - including many of Rod's songs - and a mass of fond recollections. We drank the bar dry and over-ran by about three hours, raised the roof with Banda Rosa with many of Rod's old CP mates and generally saw him off in style.

That's not the last of it, however. A special tribute to Rod is scheduled at Cecil Sharp House on November 11 - with full details to emerge shortly.
And, as a more lasting tribute to Rod, Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman are collating his songs for a proper published songbook.
This is where all 'Catters who may once have heard Rod sing can help. It's reckoned that he wrote more than 100 songs, but many of them are no longer around - except perhaps on recordings of Rod at clubs and festivals over the years.
Anyone who has got any of Rod's material, PM me and I'll onpass Dave and Anni's e-mail address - they'd love to know what you've got so they can be aware of his complete works.
The project was discussed with Rod and his family before he died, and all profits will go to Rod's chosen charities, Cancer Research and the Morning Star appeal.
As Dave and Anni said: We believe that this would be a most fitting tribute to Rod's skill as a singer and songwriter, especially as his songs demonstrate his personal integrity, humanitarian beliefs and his enormous generosity.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Rod Shearman RIP
From: Ralphie
Date: 24 Jul 01 - 03:03 AM

Gervase.
Many thanks for that. Wish I could have been there.
I wish Dave and Anni all the best with the songbook project.
Having been involved with similar things over the years, I understand the work involved. Sadly, I don't think I've got any material to contribute, but, put me down for a copy when it comes out.
Best Wishes Ralphie

Subject: RE: Rod Shearman RIP
From: GUEST,Your friends in Australia
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 06:11 AM

Dear Rod

An inspiration a friend, your passion was commitment to a better world. Your tools were poems and the politics of song.

Enjoy now your rest in the company of brothers Victor and Che, and a mid morning snack with your friend Joe Mc Cann the pastry man.

Your planned last visit to Australia did not happen but your spirit in song will always live and be heard in the great South land.

Forever with us

John, Diane, Brendan, Greta, Bryan and friend of your songs, Glen - Sydney, Australia.

Condolances to Greta and all of your folks.