Yet Another Death Today...............

[The Builder]

Just had to mention this. British sax player Raf Ravenscroft died today.

For those who don't know............

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_Ravenscroft

Saw him only recently when he sat in with the house band at an Exeter pub.

I just thought he was worthy of a mention.

[andy-hughes]

Indeed builder - very sad.

A pity he had to endure the apocryphal tale that Bob Holness played sax on Baker Street - an innocent joke by Stuart Maconie in the NME that has simply ever gone away - he even has it quoted back to him!

[anotheoldgit]

Yes all deaths are something to feel sorry over by different people for different reasons, but it is now getting little too much on the news section, perhaps the ED could consider creating a special Obituaries section?

[sandyRoe]

Judging from some of the names he played with, his peers must have considered him one of the best.
That wouldn't be a bad way to be remembered. RIP.

[Baldric]

He's been involved in some great Music over the years,
R I P.

[Zeuhl]

/creating a special Obituaries section?/

That's a good idea aog

have you suggested it in the proper channels? (Ed's Blog?)

[The Builder]

Very good point OG. I was a little reluctant to put it up for that reason, but, with no morbidity intended, I do think it's no bad thing to have somewhere to note someone's life, and ultimate death.

Yes, Andy. He was always bemused by the Bob Holness gag.

I remember one time when a friend of mine was blowing away in a local pub. Raf went over to him with a request ............ Baker Street ;o)

[andy-hughes]

I am glad to read that Raf was not ujnduly upset by an innocent joke potentially upstaging his verrey real contribution to the success of that song - it obviously didn't hinder his future career.

Please pass on my condolences if you have contact with any of Raf's family and friends.

[The Builder]

Yes, a great career.

I don't know in this case, but it's common for session players to receive a one-off payment for a recording.......... no residuals. i.e. no matter how much the record sells, no more payment. They're rarely well-off.

A great friend, who's a Pro player, was possibly on more recordings in the 80s than anyone "famous". He makes a living, but no more than that, unless it's a tour.

[andy-hughes]

The Builder - that is indeed usually the case.

Session singers are employed for a flat fee, and earn no residuals for the success of the music to which they contribute.

Rod Stewart famously received an agreed fee of a set of car mats for appearing on Python Lee Jackson's In A Broken Dream.

Similarly, Claire Torrey received a flat fee for her appearence on Dark Side Of The Moon, one of the biggest selling records ever made, but she was able to contract repeat fees when she re-recorded it for a commercial for asprins.

[The Builder]

I don't know his family, Andy, but your wishes and a load of others' will certainly get to them via others who had got to know him since he moved down here.

[The Builder]

Andy, I love the car mats ;o)))

Going to have to re-tell that one.