From Paul Hodgson:
"Our wonderful, kind and loving Dad, Husband, Grandad and dear friend to so many Brian Hodgson has passed away and is now at peace.
Dads music shaped our lives, the friends, the gigs, the studios, the tours and the many many highlights of his wonderful career, gave us so much to enjoy and be incredibly proud of.
As busy as Dad was, travelling the world, he always had time for us, calling every day and sending post cards from every location. When he wasn’t touring, he was full on with the school runs, football games, parents evenings and even going on the school trips to help!!
Dad always made sure we had everything we needed. As Dad once said ”I
have a second mortgage, it’s called Goal Keeping Gloves!” I will always
be grateful for Dads sacrifices to give us the best opportunities!
The highlight as a family will always be our time in Lausanne at the Eurovision but the gigs, the many great bands and particularly Albert and Hogans Heroes really gave us the most incredible social life, making friends that in the end felt like family. The family that is the music industry.... there really isn’t anything else quite like it!
Mum shared so much of that career with Dad, they we’re together 48 years, incredibley happy years of great family life.
Above all Dad taught us to always keep moving forward, to never given in and always believe it’s possible, he was the eternal optimist and the kindest person I’ve ever met! Dad was, is and will always be our inspiration!
Thank you Dad, we will be eternally grateful for everything you did for us all. It’s time to rest now, it’s certainly well earned! Nan and Grandad will be waiting for you.... I’m sure the kettle will already be on.
Your music will always live on, as will your memory!
We will miss you forever!
Your loving family."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------The highlight as a family will always be our time in Lausanne at the Eurovision but the gigs, the many great bands and particularly Albert and Hogans Heroes really gave us the most incredible social life, making friends that in the end felt like family. The family that is the music industry.... there really isn’t anything else quite like it!
Mum shared so much of that career with Dad, they we’re together 48 years, incredibley happy years of great family life.
Above all Dad taught us to always keep moving forward, to never given in and always believe it’s possible, he was the eternal optimist and the kindest person I’ve ever met! Dad was, is and will always be our inspiration!
Thank you Dad, we will be eternally grateful for everything you did for us all. It’s time to rest now, it’s certainly well earned! Nan and Grandad will be waiting for you.... I’m sure the kettle will already be on.
Your music will always live on, as will your memory!
We will miss you forever!
Your loving family."
More about Brian in chronological order.
In his early years, Brian toured and recorded with Billy Fury, Marty Wilde and many others. In the 70's he worked with George Harrison, Eric Idle, and Neil Innes in the BBC TV series "Rutland Weekend Television" which featured the first appearance of The Rutles.
Ex-member of Compass & Fatso (which became Hogan's Heroes) and eighties rockabilly rebels Matchbox he wrote and produced many of their records. Brian has applied his many talents as both writer and producer to a wide variety of artists over a number of years including Shakin' Stevens, Dennis Waterman, Johnny Hallyday, Billy J. Kramer, Sonny Curtis, Christopher Lee, Kenny Rogers, Lonnie Donegan, Peter Sarstedt, Matchbox, Hayden Thompson and Kirstie McColl.
Photo left: Compass with Roger Rettig and Brian Hodgson.
Fatso was a band from the 1970s, who featured regular in the TV series Rutland Weekend Television. Their involvement with this show spawned The Rutles, which Innes and Halsey portrayed in one episode.
Members included:* Neil Innes,* John Halsey,* Billy Bremner,* Brian Hodgson,* Roger Rettig. In October 2008, Fatso reunited for a tour of the UK (see bottom of this page).
Photo to the left (a later line-up) shows Adrian Legg, Brian Hodgson, Arnold Palmer and Pete Baron.
Photo to the left (a later line-up) shows Adrian Legg, Brian Hodgson, Arnold Palmer and Pete Baron.
In 1992, Brian was elected onto the Council of BASCA (British Academy of Songwriters Composers and Authors) and, in 1993, he co-wrote and produced a hit single for Manchester United "United We love You".
1989. More recently Brian has been producing Music for TV & Video.
Credits include "Savage Hearts" featuring Richard Harris, Angus Deaton and Jerry Hall,Jeremy Clarkson's last three videos, the BBC TV series "Clarkson" and Vinnie Jones' "Great Balls of Fire". He has been seen recently performing with The Blue Caps, The Bobby Cochran Band and Mike Berry's Outlaws.
Photo (left) shows Brian and Mike Berry being interviewed by Radio Wiltshire, Chippenham 2003
Brian with Bobby Cochran Band and special guest Wanda Jackson
at Eddie Cochran Memorial, Chippenham 2003
McGrory's of Culdaff, Eire
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Those were the days - a very early photo
Brian is also involved in other projects, e.g.:
Rock, Country, Disctrade 2/08
Guest musicians (among others):
Albert Lee - guitar
Brian Hodgson - Mixing
Neil Innes and Fatso: The 30th Anniversary Tour
(Fatso, The Rutles, Rutland Weekend Television, Monty Python and The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band took place in October 2008 - UK only)
featuring original members:
Neil Innes (guitar/vocals), Brian Hodgson (bass), John Halsey (drums), Billy Bremner (guitar) and Roger Rettig (pedal steel guitar).
The above musicians have a joint pedigree of working with Rockpile, The Pretenders, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Albert Lee, Joe Cocker, Lou Reed, Matchbox, Kirsty McColl and Tommy Cooper to name but a few.
CD launched by 5th May 2014, please scroll down to latest news.
Latest News (in chronological order):
- Brian played a gig with Peter Donegan (son of Lonnie) and the LD Band in Brean on Saturday night (16 Nov 2013). Peter said: "Just finished a gig in Brean. With the LD band. Well done Brian standing in on bass tonight. Great job!!" - Photo click here
- 21.04.2014 - Announcement onHogan's Heroes official website:
"It is with great sadness that we must announce that due to health reasons Brian has found is necessary to stand down after 27 years of playing Bass with the band. He will though, always remain a Hogan's Hero. As of March 2014 we have been joined by Phil Cranham who, alongside Albert played with The Everly Brothers for 20 years.
Brian has a background in songwriting and production credits include: Sir Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Dave Edmunds, Shakin’ Stevens, Peter Sarstedt, Lonnie Donegan, Neil Innes, Sonny Curtis and Matchbox." - May 2014 - New CD launched Neil and Fatso have just released a brand new 2 CD set includes live recordings from their 30th Anniversary Tour which took place in October 2008 (UK only, see above).
Neil Innes, Billy Bremner, Brian Hodgson, Roger Rettig and John Halsey would like to thank all those fans who turned out at their gigs and made the 20th anniversary tour so worthwhile! The guys had a great time being together after all those years.
For details click here
- 08 Oct 2014 - A special gig at The Half Moon Putney, London.
Brian Hodgson's Testimonial featuring Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes with an amazing list of guest players. For photos, comments and more about this top event which was a complete sell-out please follow this link.
- December 2014:
One more Christmas - Pete Lincoln and Friends
Pete Lincoln says: "I've recorded this song with my old mate Brian Hodgson and a bunch of friends with proceeds going to Parkinson's UK. It's available now from Amazon or iTunes. Also available on Google Play and most online music stores."
Details and Links here.
Contributions to the track include:
Gavin Povey - Piano
Gerry Hogan - Pedal Steel Guitar
Alex Reeves - Drums
Bobby Cochran - Baritone Guitar
Brian Hodgson - Bass Guitar
Gayle Fraser - Backing Vocals
Steve Mann - Mixing & Mastering
Pete Lincoln - Lead Vocals & Guitar
- 15 Jan 2016: CD England's Lane - Peter Sarstedt (2016)
“England’s Lane” was recorded in 1997 with Peter’s childhood friend BRIAN HODGSON who also produced the album.
Peter was joined by his brothers EDEN KANE and CLIVE SARSTEDT on the album track “Altogether Now” which also features ALBERT LEE on guitar. A classic album long out of print now available again.
MUSICIANS INCLUDE:
PETER SARSTEDT, BRIAN HODGSON, PETE LINCOLN, ALBERT LEE, GERRY CONWAY, PETER MAY, GERRY HOGAN, MIKE BELL, LAURIE HARPER, SIMON MAYER.
For details, track listing etc. please follow this link.
- 05 February 2016: CD "Going Down Town" - Matchbox (2016)
- Worldwide released: 5. Februar 2016
- Label: Angel Air
- Copyright: Angel Air
- Gesamtlänge: 37:05
- First released: 1985 (Sweden only)
MUSICIANS
BRIAN HODGSON, GRAHAM FENTON, DICK CALLAN, GERRY HOGAN, JIMMY REDHEAD
In 1985 they recorded ‘Going Down Town’
which was to become their final album for a decade. It
was originally only released in Sweden but now for the first time ever
is released worldwide.
BRIAN HODGSON said
about the album: “We wanted it to be a good time rock ‘n’ roll album, to
put a smile on your face and get you dancing”. Job done.
Review by Music-News (March 2016)
MATCHBOX 'Going Down Town' represents a
fine tribute to a bygone era and succeeds only too well in re-creating
the sounds of the greats. All 12 tracks on this re-release were written
by Brian Hodgson - a versatile guitarist and also former Rutles
founder-member. And a pretty fine job he did too!
SPRING Tour 2016 check here.
Bobby Cochran, Mike Bell, Brian Hodgson - these guys are SOMETHIN' ELSE!
Links:
- Brian w/Pete Lincoln The Hope and Glory Road
- Please 'like' the Facebook site: Neil Innes and Fatso
- more about Brian see also Rutland Weekend Songbook
- SOMETHIN' ELSE on Twitter please follow
- Bobby Cochran on Facebook please follow
- Bobby Cochran Music and Video Page on Facebook (please 'like')
