Hundreds gather to remember Dave Blackman
Hundreds of mourners gathered this week to celebrate the life of the popular local musician Dave Blackman.
More than 400 people flocked to Christ Church Blacklands in Laton Road for the touching service, with the crowds including family, old school friends, former band mates and fans.
Mr Blackman, who died suddenly half way through a gig, was the drummer in the hugely popular Hastings' band The Teenbeats, who shot to fame in the early 80s and enjoyed a number one record in Canada.
And his former band mates were among those who paid tribute during Wednesday's service.
Ken Copsey, the band's lead guitarist, spoke of the fun the group had back in their touring days and of Mr Blackman's close relationship with then manager now international music mogul Simon Fuller - who went on to manage the Spice Girls.
He said: "I remember when we first asked him to be our drummer. He bought his first drum kit from a man called Mr Unit which he thought was hilarious. He was always laughing. I remember when we played our first gig and he said he was worried he wouldn't be able to stop laughing. I don't think he ever did."
Mr Copsey also spoke of how plans for the band to tour Germany later this year and how excited Mr Blackman had been at the prospect of going on the road again. He said: "We had been playing together again recently and I honestly don't think I had ever seen Dave as happy as he was over the last few months."
Reverend Frank Rowson led the service, describing Mr Blackman as 'a part of Hastings and an ambassador for the town', before adding: "Dave died doing what he loved and the town will be a poorer place without him."
School friend David Barker talked about his 42 years of friendship with Mr Blackman, reminiscing about inventing horror characters aged eight; watching his friend pick up the drums by playing the arm of his mum's sofa with a pair of her knitting needles and science lessons in which Mr Blackman would gradually strip off behind the teacher's back.
He also paid tribute to his friend's mum Jean, with whom Mr Barker said it was obvious Mr Blackman enjoyed a loving and close relationship. He finished by saying how happy Mr Blackman's girlfriend - fellow musician Katie Lloyd - had made his friend in the time they had been together.
Award-winning jazz musician Liane Carroll paid tribute in her own special way with a moving cover of the Leonard Cohen classic Hallelujah, while friend and former band mate Ashley Pepper said: "Dave was the most talented musician I ever played with. He was a great man and a great friend and whatever you were doing, it was more fun if you were doing it with Dave."
Last to speak was close friend Russell Field. He talked about forming Soul X Press with Mr Blackman and some of his painter a decorator colleagues and how Mr Blackman had wanted to call them The Paint Shop Boys.
He said: "We played together in a number of bands over the years and audiences loved him.
"Whatever he was doing he was still Dave: painter and decorator, friend and rock and roll megastar."
He finished his tribute by saying: "Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Dave Blackman." And, as Mr Blackman's coffin was carried out of the church, the crowd rose as one to give the popular musician - who died aged just 47 - a final but deserved standing ovation.
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Weather for Lewes
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
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Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
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