Obit: Bob Copper (1915-2004)

Subject: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: vectis
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 02:51 PM

Bob died this afternoon.
I will miss this lovely old man a great deal.
Nuff said

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: fat B****rd
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 02:56 PM

Although I'm not a Folk Music fan I thoroughly enjoyed the programme he made with Pete Seeger. It was fascinating listening. May he rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Nemesis
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:03 PM

Good Grief .. :( we knew it had to happen sometime, but somehow thought it never would: Bob was an institution and a gent. Sadly missed and a great loss.

Sincere condolences to the family.
Nem
Worthing, Sussex

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Folkiedave
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:08 PM

Sincere condolences to the family. He will be missed.

RIP.

Dave

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:24 PM

I am so sorry. He was an amazing human being that we will all miss. His work will be cherished for generations to come.

My condolences to his family.   I will honor his memory on my radio program this week.


Ron

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Hawker
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:28 PM

Heavy heart at his loss! May he sing with the angels!
Kindest of thoughts to his closest
Lucy

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:37 PM

I hope that this thread runs and runs.
A huge loss.
RIP Bob, and thanks for everything

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:44 PM

Sorry, Should have put my name
Ralph Jordan

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:44 PM

As important as RVW and Cecil Sharpe in his way, and at least he didn't change the words to suit sensitive ears.
A monumental loss to British traditional music.
John

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Cap n' Ella
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:44 PM

So sorry to hear the very sad news of Bob's death and we send our deepest sympathy to his family.

Tony Petty
& Lesley Massey

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: RichardP
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:59 PM

For me, and I suspect many others, it was Bob and his family which transported us from the relative shallowness of the revival to the reality of the thriving tradition.

He will be enormously missed.

Richard

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Kernow John
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 04:07 PM

Sometimes words are hard to come by.

Thank you for everything Bob

KJ

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: open mike
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 04:27 PM

WHAT DOES obe MEAN?
I HOPE THE cOPPER
fAMILY MUSIC WILL LIVE ON!

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: GUEST,Albe
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 04:41 PM

As the head, heart and soul of a great trditional singing family, Bob Copper will be sorely missed. Condolences to all his family, and may they keep on singing and inspiring coming generations. We feel privilged to have heard and met Bob and other family members.

the Larsens

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Susan of DT
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 04:43 PM

I have loved the Copper Family music since I found it around 1970. Eventually I met Bob when he began to cross the pond - he was a wonderful man. He took such pleasure in seeing people sing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Willie-O
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 04:47 PM

OBE = Order of the British Empire. An honour which he received only last week!

Hot off the wire on Maplepost:
"Just wanted everyone to know the sad news that Bob Copper passed away
this afternoon, at approx. 4:30 pm GMT. He was surrounded by his
family, and did not suffer.

Bob had just been granted an OBE last Thursday, and had the chance to
hear Prince Charles say "Imagine, a Life Guard who sings folk songs!"
He had had a big celebration yesterday with the family, so enjoyed
himself right through the last of his 89 years.

Phyllis Barney, Executive Director
North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance"

It isn't how long you live, it's what you do with what time you have. Bob Copper obviously had the best of both.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: GUEST,McGrath of Altcar
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 04:55 PM

I loved his book, and the tunes in the back with the harmony included were a formative influence.

I did A-level music and the rules of harmony we were taught there were stupid. This little book showed me that you could use parallel thirds and that TE did not necessarily have to rise to DOH.

An OBE is a medal - the Order of the Britsh Empire Mike. - it's a medal given by (?) the Queen for, in Mr. Copper's case, services to folk music. Very well deserved.

He was a true inspiration to me at a formative time.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 05:14 PM

I was honored to have met him twice on trips to the US...he was a delight and a gentleman and has left us so very much in music and history. I think I will go play some of his music tonight in remembrance.....

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: RichardP
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 05:18 PM

Correction: OBE = Officer of the Order of the British Empire, more prestigious than MBE = Member of the Order ...

Fully deserved.

Richard

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Dead Horse
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 05:21 PM

A "grand old man" in every sense, and a gentleman, too.
To have heard him talking of the old days is a memory I will cherish.
Condolences to his family.
The Coppers will, no doubt, continue the tradition, but with an empty seat.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 05:25 PM

I knew that one day I would log on and see these dread words.

Thanks for posting the news Mary, condolences to Bob's family and to everybody in the Sussex folk scene, it is a sad day indeed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Crane Driver
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 05:40 PM

So many of us came to "real" folk music (whatever that is) through this wonderful man and his family. Our debt to him and them is incalculable. He will never really leave us, as long as the "Old Songs" continue to be sung.

Andrew

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 06:00 PM

I came to the music of the Copper Family a bit late, but I found it much to my liking. I am so sorry to read here of Mr. Copper's passing. Please extend my condolances to all his family.
                Jim Hickam

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: BanjoRay
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 07:51 PM

Bob was the real thing - there aren't many left on either side of the pond - a very sad time.
Ray

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 08:50 PM

This wasn't supposed to happen. Ever.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Art Thieme
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 09:20 PM

Bob and Ron were the best. Condolences to all the family.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Dave Swan
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 09:42 PM

What bad, bad news. We were lucky enough to open for the Coppers when they played the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. Bob asked us onstage to sing with the family at the end of the night. It'll never get better than that for me musically.

Beyond his music, he was a sweet, warm, funny man, and one of the finest blues air guitarists ever, but that story is another night and another bottle of beer....

Condolences to John, Jill, Jon and the next generations.

I'll hoist a pint for Bob tonight.

Fear no more the heat of the sun.

D

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Amos
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 09:58 PM

I raise a glass here to another hero that I didn't get to meet or sing with, alas. May he find himself singing duets with Rick Fielding in heaven -- and be half--way through the first chorus before the Devil learns he's dead! :>)

Best regards,

A

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Stephen R.
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 10:25 PM

Memory immortal! The collectors of a century ago were convinced that the tradition was maintained only by illiterate octogenarians; Bob is one of that noble company in whom it has been going strong until our own days. May there be more Coppers singing out in 2104!

Stephen

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: GUEST, NOMADman
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 10:45 PM

Condolences to his family. Bob was a great man whose contributions to the preservation of traditional folk music were immeasurable.

Regards,
John

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 10:58 PM

A lovely man, and he would be missed for that anyway. His work deserves the tag "labour of love" more than anyone else I know - and he will be missed for that also. One consolation is that he was happy and active to the end.

Let the world ring with the songs he brought us tonight and every night for generations.

Rest easy, Bob.

GP

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: GUEST,eliza c
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 11:35 PM

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Padre
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 12:46 AM

Condolences to the Copper family. His legacy will live on.

Padre

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: greg stephens
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 01:46 AM

Bob's writing and singing sums up for me that elusive quality of "Englishness". I've sat in the Social Club in Peacehaven late at night looking at the family's original songbook lying on the table among pints of beer, and I thought it was considerably more impressive than having the crown jewels spread out in front of you. The Coppers and their songs were the country's real crown jewels. Bob was just great. Read his books and listen to his records and give thanks.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: The Admiral
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 02:08 AM

Rest in Peace Bob after a long and full life, you'll be long remembered...

Tony and Pearl

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: treewind
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 02:12 AM

A lovely man who did so much work for English folk song and always had a twinkle in his eye. I've just noticed that today is the anniversary of the Song Links concert at Cecil Sharp House, which was the last time I saw him. I feel privileged to have met the man.

I hope he gets some sort of memorial in the House, next to the one they're now planning for Fred Jordan.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Little Robyn
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 02:24 AM

A sad loss today but his legacy will go on forever.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 02:36 AM

Let us hope the songs he preserved for us will live on, that they will inspire a myriad new arrangements, but that the originals will live for ever.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: GUEST,JOHN FROM ELSIE`S BAND
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 03:28 AM

On behalf of all the band, I send our condolences to the Copper family on the passing of a universally loved man.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 03:36 AM

Yeah, though "logic" says it will happen - somehow - we DID think that it never would, eh!!! Wonderful wonderful man.

His books are a GREAT read - and the songs a GREAT sing AND a GREAT listen!!

Many Australians were only introduced to him and The Copper Family tradition, in a delightful interview on ABC radio on Feb 22nd, 2003, with Andrew Ford - hope they replay it now ...

Vale, Bob.

Cheers, R-J

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 03:37 AM

Damn - that GUEST was me - Rich Joy - lost me cookie ...

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Leadfingers
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 03:38 AM

One of Natures Gentlemen Bob was NOT just a 'Trad Folkie' but had a
deep respect for ALL forms of good music. The Heavenly Singaround has just been beautifully improved.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 03:47 AM

Lets not mourn his passing but celebrate his music and his life with a drink and most of all SONGS, he would appreciate that.
My best wishes for his family.
eric

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: snake19
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 03:55 AM

His songs will live on but its a great lost to the folk world.All the best Bob where ever you are,keep on singing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 03:56 AM

A sad loss. A man who should be an inspiration to us all.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: red max
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 04:21 AM

I was listening to the Spring disc from the Song for every season box set just last week. Some fantastic chat between the songs, especially when he ponders on singing certain songs at certain times of the year, saying it doesn't really matter "a song only needs one thing, and that's to be sung"

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: MikeofNorthumbria
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 05:02 AM

We are all the poorer for his passing - but thankfully, his benign influence will continue down the generations. He sang

"What's the life of a man, any more than a leaf -
A man has his seasons, so why should we grieve?"

- but we will, none the less.

Wassail and farewell

Mike Sutton

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 05:10 AM

A man who always had time to stop and chat with everyone no matter how busy he was.

He's been there all the time, since I got involved with the music, and like the true greats of the scene, many of whom have passed on now, he will still "be there" for me for times to come.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: nutty
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 05:10 AM

So sad to lose a wonderful man who loved the singers and the singing as much as the songs. I was privileged to meet him and be encouraged by him.
May he make the heavens ring.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Copper OBE
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 05:13 AM

I suppose we always knew it would have to happen some day, but it still came as a shock and leaves a sort of empty feeling and it's hard to know what to say. I have to admit that I first heard of the Coppers through the singing of The Young Tradition.

I can remember how in the mid 60s, three of us drove down for a weekend's camping in Sussex. Our main reason was to find Bob and his cousin Ron and to ask for the words of a couple of their songs. We went into the "Queen Victoria" Saturday lunchtime and saw Ron who said "You're in Luck, Bob's due to be popping in any time now". They sang us a couple of songs, before they had to go out and Bob told us to come over to Peacehaven club that evening. We had a wonderful evening, with Ron joining Bob later and then Ron suggested that we might manage another session in the Victoria the following lunchtime. Bob had let us copy any of the songs which we wanted out of a copy of "Brasser's" songbook and we went back up to London after a wonderful weekend.

After Ron's death it was a great relief when he carried on singing with the his two children Lohn and Lynne and later on of course with his grandchildren as well.

He will be remembered.