Very sad today after an early morning call from Zoot to tell me of the untimely passing of Boz Burrell.

Bassist for Bad Company, King Crimson, Tam White and Zoot Money's Big Roll Band, he was a fount of knowledge across a breathtaking musical spectrum.  I knew him for about 20 years and every time we met he would turn me on enthusiastically to some new idea or artist I hadn't known about before.  It's his fault I had to go out and get an acoustic bass guitar.  Sadly my playing isn't quite in his league.

Funny bloke too, with a wicked deadpan sense of humour that took no prisoners. Everyone who knew him enjoyed that about him. Used to come up with nicknames for people, too.  He called me Ellington (my real name is Ellie) and I used to call him Bozwell. 

Not all his nicknames were quite so affectionate - one time there was a bit of a horn-locking incident with Captain Sensible after a long and trying day.  Absolutely no idea what it was about but Boz wasn't impressed with the Cap'n at all at that moment.  "Captain Fuckin Stupid more like," was Boz's indignant verdict, and although I'm actually a fan I've never been able to think of Captain Sensible since without a bit of a smile breaking through as I remember Boz's face that night.

Reunited with Bad Company in the late 90s, he was working on and off with my mate Zoot till a couple of years ago when he was forced off the road for a spell after injuring his hand in a bizarre gardening accident.  Leaning against the bar one night with a glass of wine in the other hand he stared laconically at the band, attempting to make me believe he'd given up music for good.  "Had enough of it," he said, decisively.  "I fuckin' hate music."

"Couldn't agree more," I nodded. "Music really is highly over-rated."

Which of course is why he carried on doing it to his last breath.

I knew he'd been ill, but Zoot saw him last week and said he looked in pretty good shape. I hear he had a heart attack at home in Puerto Banus, Spain, while he was practising.  Tragically early to go, at just 60, but as to the manner of it I reckon there are worse ways, all things considered.

I'm really feeling for Cath, his family and all his many bandmates and friends - including myself - right now, though. 

Ronnie Johnson and Boz Burrell

The Groove Connection

Tam White & Boz Burrell, live in Prince's Street Gardens

thanks to Neil Warden for posting these on YouTube.