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24 Dec 14 - 04:09 AM (#3688281) Subject: Obit: Mike Elliott From: GUEST,Susie Heart numbed at the news that Mike Elliott - dear Mick, "The Mouth" - has succumbed to cancer at the age of 68. I got to know him in the late 70s via the musician-haunted Kings Heath, Birmingham, household of his agent, the late Jim McPhee of Acorn Entertainments. He became a well-loved friend - a bit on the helpless side when it came to running a household (Jim made sure the bills got paid!), but where and whenever he appeared, he was the life and soul of the party. He was the ultimate ad-libber. Where it came from, I don't know, but he could rise to euphoric and meteoric heights from the smallest prompt. He had us in stitches more times than I can remember. Mick was a FINE singer - very highly respected as such from his days with Northern Front. Whenever I hear "Close The Coalhouse Door", I think straightaway of Mick. No-one sang it better. I have his gig at my club on cassette tape. In the New Year, I'll also have, in archive format, the recording of the first PERFORM Conference in London, recorded on February 28th, 1981. Mick's wonderful "marauding bandit" speech still shines down through the years. A warm light's gone out and he is dearly missed. |
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24 Dec 14 - 05:49 AM (#3688318) Subject: RE: 2014 Obit: Mike Elliott From: Dave Sutherland Heard this awful news yesterday afternoon from a number of friends in the North East and I was seriously shocked as, like a few other exiled Geordies, I wasn't aware that he was ill. I got to know Mike around 1967 when he was still a serious folkie very influenced by Ewan MacColl and Dominic Behan who were regular guests at The George and Dragon folk club in Sunderland which he used to help run. Not long after that we were to see more of the comedic side of Mike both as a solo performer and with Ed Pickford and Nick Fenwick in The Northern Front which became his forte from then on. Once that Folk Roots began referring to him as "the loathsome Mike Elliott" I knew he must be doing something right. I will always remember him not only as a great performer but as equally great company whether discussing music, politics or football even if he was a Makem! RIP Mike. |
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24 Dec 14 - 06:14 AM (#3688323) Subject: RE: 2014 Obit: Mike Elliott From: Big Al Whittle sad news. he was a great man - friendly helpful, a fearless and brilliant performer. an extraordinary and divergent thinker did the American comedy clubs, was part of Lindisfarne Christmas Show for years. folk roots! well he wasn't a zulu or a southerner - so they wouldn't get it..... i'm sorry i didn't keep contact. he was a good turn. |
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02 Jun 16 - 08:26 AM (#3793380) Subject: RE: 2014 Obit: Mike Elliott From: GUEST,Mrs Lisa Elliott Thank you for your kind and gentle words. If it helps, he was as fearless in death as he was in life. He just closed his eyes for a nap, and thankfully he did not awaken. He died utterly beloved, by me and his daughter Michigan.and all our family. I still feel like an amputee and am shocked at the level of grief that pierces my heart daily. Like the brave man he was, he just stepped out for a moment, and released us and himself. We celebrated our 19th anniversary the day before his death. He went easy, and with grace. Your words help, and I thank you for them. Sincerely And with enormous pride Mrs Lisa Elliott |
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04 Jun 16 - 01:14 PM (#3793788) Subject: RE: 2014 Obit: Mike Elliott From: Waddon Pete Another great man who left us too soon. I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread. Goodbye Mike, we will miss you. |