https://x.com/benworsleymusic?lang=en
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063578972509
Ben Worsley, a musician who may not be a household name, but I recently saw him do the most delightful duet with David Gilmour at The Royal Albert Hall. It was during the song 'Wish You Were Here', when that musician type language of glances were shared. Ben is second guitarist on the current David Gilmour tour.
During that part of the concert a sense of sadness and pride fell over me. But it was not for me. It was for Ben's late father Spike (real name John). I had barely known Spike. I only met him through attending gigs where you meet a whole range of wonderful people.
But Spike and I did connect, many years ago, even if it was at that 'and where are you from?' level. You see Spike was from Leamington Spa and had studied in Coventry. And they are not the only connections with Coventry.
Over twenty years ago almost 300 people had filled All Saints' Church at Burton Dassett country park in south Warwickshire. They were there to say a farewell to one of Coventry's most remarkable sons, Spike's father - Jack 'J.R.' Worsley.
Professor Worsley had grown up, quite impoverished, in a small terraced home in Coventry. After the war years he began to study osteopathy but also had an interest in a more holistic approach to healthcare. In order to advance his learning Jack Worsley travelled to Paris where he studied acupuncture.
By 1956 Jack had opened a college in Leamington Spa where, by the 1960s, he had mapped out a structure of the traditional Chinese medicine that he called Five Element Acupuncture. In fact the college was re-named as such.
The 1970s saw Jack living in Kenilworth. And this would be a base from where he would tour America, particularly Florida, giving lectures on this ancient Chinese art. Not even ill health, in the form of of heart attacks, could slow Jack down. He even founded a place of learning in America. Spike, who moved to London and where I assume Ben grew up, carried on the family tradition of acupuncture.
Sadly Ben's father, Spike, passed away during 2022. From memory he was not huge in stature, he was slightly shorter than I am, but I'm certain he would have been so hugely proud right now.
We never met up at gigs, as such, but quite often bumped into each other through attending mutual events. Particularly in the London area where he had moved to. Conversation didn't take long to switch to the subject of Coventry and often began with 'did you ever see.....?'
He did mention that, for a while, he was a fixture at the Lanchester downstairs sports hall where he attended many gigs. His musical passion was vast and varied. His knowledge of the subject was immense and he was more than keen to share it. Spike was a special character.
Coming from a less salubrious area it was easy to assume that growing up in the leafy suburbs of Warwickshire must have been so perfect. And I am as guilty as anyone for imaging these things. But I got the impression that life for Spike wasn't quite as imagined.
Throughout the Royal Albert Hall concert Ben Worsley never put a foot wrong. At least to these ears. He didn't look out of place either. It was a quite magnificent event.
No comments:
Post a Comment