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Obituary
One of Coventry's most gifted musicians Steve Edgson, has left the building, and lost his battle with the evil that is Cancer. Steve 53, passed away in his sleep at 5.45 am, surrounded by family and friends on January 7th 2009.
It may sound a cheap remark to suggest that Steve was the areas finest clarinetist, as the fact is he was pretty much the only clarinetist. The truth is even if there were 50 of them in the area, I doubt whether they could match Mr Edgson. Back in the 80's when Steve was part of The Pink Umbrellas, they recorded a song that till this day still sends shivers down the old spine. it was entitled Joseph Monk, and there's a clarinet fill in the song, that despite lasting only a couple of seconds, still stand as a musical gem that will always make me think of Steve. It's this uniqueness that transformed the sound of every band he was ever in.
Steve's fine musicianship would grace many bands, though he will best be remembered as part of The Reluctant Stereotypes. They hit the scene as an arty jazzy rock combo, then reinvented themselves in the early 80's. The jazz influence was replaced by the Coventry ska sound, fronted now by Paul King and Paul Sampson. It was here that the genius of Steve Edgson shone through. While the rest of the band were reeking pandemonium on stage, Steve would strike a curious figure ( I would often refer to him as 'the Curious Steve Edgson'), with his round rimmed glasses, superb playing and bizarre jerky head movements, there was little wonder why Steve and the band were tipped for big things. Despite some superb singles a tour with The Specials and an appearance on The Old Grey Whistle Test, a breakthrough never came. He joined Paul Sampson in the Pink Umbrellas, as he put it, "We wanted to do something fun again".
Post Pink Umbrellas saw Steve as part of The Giraffes, another band that had a pedigree second to none, and he was involved in more great singles. Of late Steve and another former Giraffe band mate Sam McNulty worked quite logically as the Two Giraffes with old pal Paul Sampson as producer. They released a classic CD in 2006 (Twelve Songs), with Steve playing more guitar and much less clarinet. It was a defining moment for the guys, and in my view one of the best CD's to come out of this city in many years. I last saw Steve backstage at the Godiva Festival 2007, happy how their set had gone, and looking forward to writing new material with Sam. Something they indeed did, even when he was feeling less than well, that's how much the music mattered to this man.
Steve was a constant in the world of local music, always there, always inventive, always musically superb, it may take a little while, but when it finally sinks in, we will all realise just what a gem we have lost.
Pete Chambers, Coventry Writer & Archivist
Words from the people who knew him
"It's not really sunk in as yet, but I was reflecting earlier today of the times I've has with Steve, and I can't honestly say I recall a single bad one"
ROB HILL (drummed with Steve for many years in The Pink Umbrellas)
Very sad to hear of Steves passing, we had shared Stages in the Cov scene and the bar of the Albany and the Lanchester Poly and maybe even the student occupation of the Lanchester poly's arts centre and that’s going back a bit, Steve was always charming, positive and much more of a musician than most of us, Respects to his family and friends.
CHRIS DICKIE fellow musician
We met in the mid 70’s, and stayed in constant touch ever since. We formed 2 bands together, spent hundreds of hours on the road, and I even lived in Steve’s house for over a year . Steve was a really good friend, sharp wit, great sensitivity, intelligent and with a great empathy, someone you could really talk to. Steve never followed any trends, but he probably started at least one. His 1940’s style of dress never altered since he was a teenager, and his white Morris minor was a familiar sight around Earlsdon. Steve had tremendous individuality, unique style, and kindness, I feel lucky and proud to have known him and call him my friend.
PAUL SAMPSON Friend and former band mate
Steve was a real unsung hero of the Cov music scene. I was even once mistaken for him when he was in The Reluctant Stereotypes and they were playing at Birmingham Poly. After the gig, a girl approached me and offered to buy me a drink before realising `I wasn't the one with the musical talent’. I took it as a compliment. When I had the Tic Toc, Sam and him ran the Groovy Garden Disco and it was a brilliant night. Coventry is a much sadder and less colourful place without the Edgehog. May he rest in peace.
JON GAUNT Sun columist and good friend
Well what do you say at times like this? Steve was a great guy, for three years in the early 80's I was with Steve and the rest of the guys every day. He was one of the band that I didn’t fall out with during that time. He had a great sense of fun and we kept in touch after the band split. I will miss him, the music world is a worse place without him.
COLIN HEARNES Drummer in the Reluctant Stereotypes
I had the pleasure of being the Giraffes drummer for a short time in the 80's and I loved Steves playing. He was an inspiration to work with and a GREAT musician.... He will be sadly missed by all who knew him and by the many thousands that heard him play.
TED DUGGAN drummer
Steve was not only a highly talented & versatile musician, but absolutely oozed charisma. He was a total one-off & like no-one else I have ever known. He had tremendous style & presence & will be very missed, I'm sure, by everyone who knew him.
ROGER LOMAS Record producer
Steve was a friend first, musician next. He was a great, unrecognised songwriter who added texture and colour to everything he touched and his own stamp of surrealist humour to every situation. He had this secret talent pedal which meant that everything he played on, sounded brilliant. He'll be much missed by all of us.
SAM MCNULTY, fellow Giraffe and good friend
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