There were a number of significant passings recently; one from the arts, one from sports and one from a category all his own.
Sir Bobby Robson was a legendary football coach, having coached teams in four countries (England, Spain, Holland and Portugal), having seen the rich talent in such players as Rivaldo, Romario and Ronaldo and having nurtured the career of Jose Mourinho, a gifted coach.
He was also a classy person and this exemplifies his class:
On that particular day a young boy called David was about to have his equivalent of an Ipswich Town 'Jim'll Fix it' moment. Stricken with cancer and fighting hard for his life at the tender age of just eight, David was a massive Newcastle supporter, and living in Suffolk meant he didn't get to see his beloved Magpies much. Ipswich Town arranged for a special day out for him to come to the ground, meet Sir Bobby and Alan Shearer, and watch the game from one of the pitch side corporate boxes. I was simply there to follow proceedings with a camera and ask the occasional question.
After a tour of the ground, the time came for David and family to meet Sir Bobby and strike hero Shearer. We were taken, half an hour before kickoff (with camera rolling), to the door of the visiting team dressing room. A knock, and there he was, Bobby Robson, all jolly and smiles and delighted to meet a fellow cancer patient who was fighting a fight Robson himself knew all too well. Shearer was charming too. But a shake of the hand and quick chat wasn't enough for Robson. He took the awe stricken David's hand and with a shout of 'lady coming in fellas so cover up!' he led him, his family and us, into the dressing room.
Through Robson and Shearers involvement, every player in that room shook David's hand, posed for photos, had a chat and wished him well. We caught it all on camera. His family was completely overwhelmed. I remember David's father, a massive Newcastle fan with tears in his eyes and so many words of gratitude to say he couldn't get them all out. We were allowed to ask the players and David questions, and share this extraordinary moment with him. I was simply blown away by such a wonderful gesture.
So was I. He will be missed. Rest in peace.
When the tiresome task of naming the greatest jazz album of all time - an exercise in futility if you ask me as there are so many good ones - one that comes to mind immediately is Mile Davis' Kind of Blue.
While it is without question one of the greatest ever, it would not have been possible without the pioneering work performed by George Russell in developing modal improvisation in jazz. Russell died last week at the age of 86.
Many years ago while attending the University of Alabama in Huntsville, I worked on the Lecture Series Committee and one of the speakers we had was Reverend Ike, the kind of man, who, in my opinion would probably have Jesus spinning in his grave. He paved the way for many others and he has now met his maker.
Reverend Ike was one of the great charlatans...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSp_-9vJy_I&feature=related
Posted by: reg | August 03, 2009 at 01:24 AM