From Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes Website:
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| Photo (c) gs |
For those who still visit the Albert Lee & Hogan’s Heroes website it is with deep sadness that we have to announce the passing of Brian Hodgson.
Brian was a founder member of the band way back in 1987. He had suffered for some years with Parkinson’s disease, but his strong heart and eternal sense of optimism kept him going, when others would certainly have given in. Toward the end it became impossible for him to keep performing.
He spent his last few months in care and eventually passed away peacefully in hospital listening to his favourite music with his daughter Jennifer by his side.
He will be sorely missed by all who knew him: his wife Sylvia, children, grandchildren and all the members of the band, along with its many followers.
It is a sad time indeed, but you will not be forgotten Brian.
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| Photo (c) gs |
BRIAN HODGSON BIOGRAPHY
Brian has been successfully involved in the music industry for many years as a musician, artiste, composer and producer.
In his early years he toured and recorded with Billy Fury, Marty Wilde and many others. In the '70's he worked with Neil Innes and Fatso, Eric Idle and George Harrison on the acclaimed BBC TV series 'Rutland Weekend Television' which featured the first appearance of 'The Rutles'.
Brian was a member of '80's rockabilly rebels Matchbox and wrote and produced many of their records. He also co-wrote and produced 'Why Do I Always Get it Wrong' which was the runaway winner for the UK 1989 Song for Europe.
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' (and he doesn't care who knows it!).
Brian has written/produced for a wide variety of artistes including Shakin' Stevens, Dennis Waterman, Billy J Kramer, Johnny Halliday, Lonnie Donegan, Peter Sarstedt, Mike Berry, Sonny Curtis, Hayden Thompson, Christopher Lee, Albert Lee and Hogan’s Heroes, Matchbox and Kirstie MacColl, including Lonnie Donegan’s last studio album 'Muleskinner Blues' which also included two duets with Van Morrison.
More recently he has been writing and producing for film, TV and video/DVD. Credits include 'Savage Hearts' (featuring Richard Harris) 'Beyond Belief', 'Fauna', Vinnie Jones 'Great Balls of Fire'. The theme to Jeremy Clarkson's BBC TV series ‘Clarkson’ and the music to Clarkson’s last eleven DVDs.
Brian has also had the pleasure of playing with Lonnie Donegan, Marty Stuart, The Blue Caps, Buddy Emmons, The Goodies, The Bobby Cochran Band, Dave Edmunds and Mike Berry and the Outlaws which included 3 gigs with Sir Paul McCartney to celebrate the music of Buddy Holly. More recently he appeared at the Royal Albert Hall with ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ Bruce Welch and Ray Cooper in The Rock Island Line tribute concert to Lonnie Donegan.
Brian also played bass in 'Hogan's Heroes' which is led by one of the world's greatest guitar heroes, Albert Lee.
A wonderful tribute for Brian from Elio Pace, published on various Facebook sites:
Elio Pace
I lost a very dear old friend, bandmate and colleague yesterday... bass player, songwriter and record producer, Brian Hodgson.
Brian changed my life with a single phone call to Albert Lee in 2006, by telling him that he should try me out for their band as a replacement piano-player to Pete Wingfield. That phone call started an incredible three years for me playing alongside and learning so much, not only from guitar legend Albert Lee but also three other legends of the British Rock And Roll music scene, Gerry Hogan, Peter Baron and Brian, himself. I could never thank Brian enough for putting me forward for that ‘audition’.
Brian has been successfully involved in the music industry for many years as a musician, artiste, composer and producer.
In his early years he toured and recorded with Billy Fury, Marty Wilde and many others. In the '70's he worked with Neil Innes and Fatso, Eric Idle and George Harrison on the acclaimed BBC TV series 'Rutland Weekend Television' which featured the first appearance of 'The Rutles'.
Brian was a member of '80's rockabilly rebels Matchbox and wrote and produced many of their records. He also co-wrote and produced 'Why Do I Always Get it Wrong' which was the runaway winner for the UK 1989 Song for Europe.
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' (and he doesn't care who knows it!).
Brian has written/produced for a wide variety of artistes including Shakin' Stevens, Dennis Waterman, Billy J Kramer, Johnny Halliday, Lonnie Donegan, Peter Sarstedt, Mike Berry, Sonny Curtis, Hayden Thompson, Christopher Lee, Albert Lee and Hogan’s Heroes, Matchbox and Kirstie MacColl, including Lonnie Donegan’s last studio album 'Muleskinner Blues' which also included two duets with Van Morrison.
More recently he has been writing and producing for film, TV and video/DVD. Credits include 'Savage Hearts' (featuring Richard Harris) 'Beyond Belief', 'Fauna', Vinnie Jones 'Great Balls of Fire'. The theme to Jeremy Clarkson's BBC TV series ‘Clarkson’ and the music to Clarkson’s last eleven DVDs.
Brian has also had the pleasure of playing with Lonnie Donegan, Marty Stuart, The Blue Caps, Buddy Emmons, The Goodies, The Bobby Cochran Band, Dave Edmunds and Mike Berry and the Outlaws which included 3 gigs with Sir Paul McCartney to celebrate the music of Buddy Holly. More recently he appeared at the Royal Albert Hall with ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ Bruce Welch and Ray Cooper in The Rock Island Line tribute concert to Lonnie Donegan.
Brian also played bass in 'Hogan's Heroes' which is led by one of the world's greatest guitar heroes, Albert Lee.
A wonderful tribute for Brian from Elio Pace, published on various Facebook sites:
Elio Pace
Brian changed my life with a single phone call to Albert Lee in 2006, by telling him that he should try me out for their band as a replacement piano-player to Pete Wingfield. That phone call started an incredible three years for me playing alongside and learning so much, not only from guitar legend Albert Lee but also three other legends of the British Rock And Roll music scene, Gerry Hogan, Peter Baron and Brian, himself. I could never thank Brian enough for putting me forward for that ‘audition’.
Along with other fantastic achievements in the music business
involving, amongst others, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Dave
Edmunds, Lonnie Donegan and Sonny Curtis, Brian had huge success with
the band Matchbox and he wrote many great songs including one of my
favourite Shakin’ Stevens songs, ‘Shooting Gallery’.
He twice honoured me by attending The Billy Joel Songbook, and it was on the second occasion, at The Stables in Milton Keynes in 2017, on his 73rd birthday, that I saw him for the last time. His health had obviously deteriorated a lot, yet still he came with his gorgeous family and after the show we had a chat about music, just as we always used to, sitting next to each other in the back of Gerry Hogan’s car, travelling all around the UK and Europe during those three glorious years. I loved his passion for music and his knowledge about music history was second to no one. A gentle, funny, brilliant man and musician. I loved him. Simple as that.
My heart and condolences go out to his darling devoted wife Sylvia, his son Paul, his daughter Jennifer and all the family who have lost a very very special and talented husband, Dad and Grandad. ❤️
He twice honoured me by attending The Billy Joel Songbook, and it was on the second occasion, at The Stables in Milton Keynes in 2017, on his 73rd birthday, that I saw him for the last time. His health had obviously deteriorated a lot, yet still he came with his gorgeous family and after the show we had a chat about music, just as we always used to, sitting next to each other in the back of Gerry Hogan’s car, travelling all around the UK and Europe during those three glorious years. I loved his passion for music and his knowledge about music history was second to no one. A gentle, funny, brilliant man and musician. I loved him. Simple as that.
My heart and condolences go out to his darling devoted wife Sylvia, his son Paul, his daughter Jennifer and all the family who have lost a very very special and talented husband, Dad and Grandad. ❤️
