Kevin Ayers R.I.P.

Sad news indeed. Like Richard I have been a fan since his Soft Machine days,

 RIP Kevin.

Graham

That is a terrible shame. Only this afternoon I was listening to him on my iPod (and enjoying it very much).

Rest in peace young man.

You'll always have a special place in my heart.

Tony

Another sad loss from a great era in music. RIP Kevin.

What terrible news ... one of the great innovators and most significant songwriters ever has died ... this is very sad indeed ... Kevin Ayers had made something of a come back with Unfairground a couple of years ago.

I remember hearing him on the John Peel show playing Lunatic's Lament and being stunned and then hearing his wonderful album Joy of a Toy and, of course, Whatevershebringsweshing. 

Like everything though it begins with a blessing, but it ends with a curse (why are you sleeping?).

There are so many great Kevin Ayers songs and tracks like Song from the Bottom of a Well would be in my greatest ever list very near the top. 

I think a lot artists are indebted to KA, how many seventies artists copied this style 

An artist who to me, stood out above many of the well regarded names

So I'm very sorry to hear there will be no mañanas. 

Of course, you should have all of his albums, but if you haven't then the Harvest years collection has a whole lot of great tracks .... Ayers was a true star, 

RIP Kevin and I'd just like to say Thank You Very Much 

An interview 

Interesting video clip, thanks.

I too remember hearing "Song from the Bottom of a Well" on JP late one night and then getting into the rest of his stuff both backwards and forwards from there.

"Strangers In Blue Suede Shoes" will always bring on a smile,

Thank You Very Much.......Bye Bye

I felt very sad reading of Kevin's passing in the newspaper this morning.  I was a huge Soft Machine fan and loved his solo albums such as ‘Joy of a toy' and 'Whatevershebringswesing' and after a long absence I was so pleased when he released ‘The unfairground,' an album that I enjoy immensely; 68 is far too young to go isn't it?  He came across as a really nice guy and I’d like to say thanks for your contribution to music.

Can anyone recommend a Soft Machine album for a newcomer?

Heard a small article and interview with Robert Wyatt on Radio 4 and the music they played sounded rather wonderful. I feel this is a band I need to get to know.

Some recommendations for someone new to Soft Machine would be appreciated.

Kind regards,

Ghetto Yout'.

Recommending a Soft machine Cd

Simple- buy a compilation Cd-should give you enough to decide whether you like them, early Softs are very different to later Softs!!

good starter is Soft Machine-Out Bloody-Rageous, an anthology 1967-1973

Steve

Very sad news. One of the true greats and vastly underrated. I was fortunate to catch him and his band at The Borderline a few years back. Popped into the Pillars of Hercules for a couple of pints and there was Kevin and his daughter and friends at the bar. He looked my way and nodded an acknowledgment. What followed was a great gig right through his back catalogue.

I was thinking I was happy, happy as can be, and I’m feeling free.  She said you’re not happy, your just STOOOOOOONED

Sounds to have been a great gig....I missed it due to a horrible infliction called work!