It’s with a very heavy heart that I must share some sad news. Roger, who had been battling cancer for the past year, passed away on Monday, 21st October.
Ready Steady Gone started simply as a list of Rog’s gigs with the bands he played in—Jazzboard, Scallywag, James South, and others—but he was always proud of this site and the stories he could share here. As the site evolved into full-length articles and recollections pulled from his scrapbook, what made him most proud was the community he created through all of your contributions, comments, and memories. He particularly loved that he had managed to connect others who were part of the 60s music scene and that his blog posts became a way for people to reminisce alongside him. He truly appreciated everyone’s comments and the conversations you all shared. With that in mind, I’ll make sure the site remains active and the comments stay open; before he passed, he made it clear how important it was to him that you all could still access the site even after he was gone.
Rog wasn’t just a talented musician (and music historian); he was an incredible painter, and his house here in Wiltshire is filled with the art and music he created over the years. Personally, I like to think that his lasting legacy will be how he inspired others with the creativity he brought into life. Both my brother and I picked up instruments in our teens thanks to his influence, and now we both work in visual arts-related fields, and our mum—his wife, Eileen—has a home full of happy memories. If you’d like to remember Rog, I hope you’ll do so by going out and creating something yourself and by continuing the spirit of Ready Steady Gone, sharing more of your recollections here.
Mae Smith
So sorry to hear of Roger passing. Regretfully we never met ,but I wish we had of. He kindly gave a section on RSG which was something I never expected R.I.P Roger
Such very sad news. I first met Roger at the Cellar club in South Shields when I was 17 and he was in the band Jazzboard. He was super talented even then. Many years later I was searching for 60’s stuff on Google and I hit on Ready Steady Gone entirely by accident and got in touch with Roger again. In 2014 I attended the Sneeze charity reunion at The Clav in Dunstan and what a fab night it was. Roger was a fighter and I am proud to call him my friend. My sincere condolences to Eileen, you and your brother and everyone who knew him. Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory, Roger.
I didn’t know Roger; we may have shaken hands at a social event or two when I was a boy, but I knew his parents, Connie and George Smith, who were dear friends of my late dear grandmother Nora Cowey (nee Wright), and her loving daughters Susan and Pauline. Connie and George were kind and much valued friends of my family.
On behalf of the Wright Cousins of Sunderland, our deepest condolences to Roger’s family and friends. May he rest in eternal peace.
Christopher R Palin
I lived in 138 St Leonard Street Hendon Sunderland. Roger lived in 132. Roger was the same age as my sister Susan Cowey. Roger’s sister Joy and myself were friends.
I remember Roger’s wonderful musical talents . I remember listening to him and his dad George practising musical instruments. Happy Times.
Roger and Eileen had the most wonderful flat in Tynemouth. The flat looked over the North
Sea….. it was beautiful….. we went there with Connie and George Roger’s parents and his sister Joy, my mam Nora Cowey and myself Pauline Cowey.
We were always made welcome.
I remember Roger as gentle, quiet, intelligent and very much loved by his family.
I will miss Roger and his great way of life. We reconnected several years ago and kept in touch since then. I now live in Canada, after living in Cleadon village until age 21. I remember we were travelling home from work and I asked him if he was coming to my 21st at Baileys in South Shields, The Foremost we’re playing that night, but, he had to play and couldn’t miss it. It was the last time we saw each other. I was sooo lucky to have known him for those years and happy when we re connected and kept in touch. My condolences to Eileen and the boys. Keep the page going.
DOROTHYBUCHANAN (Turnbull).
Condolences to all of Roger’s family and those who knew him. I never did, regrettably, as I moved from Newcastle in the 60s; however, the warmth and scope of his writing endeared me to him from the first time I encountered the website many years ago. He, and his contributions to the North Eastern community around the world, and to music generally, will be greatly missed. In creating the website he gave selflessly and received the gratitude and respect of his readers.
I would like to know whether a commemoration will be held.
i was shocked and saddened when I heard the news He created something uniek. He will be sadley missed , My heart goes out to his family.
I have been feeling his absence and wondering if all was not well.
Roger and I go back to the late ‘sixties and I read everything he posted with great appreciation; not forgetting to praise and thank him each time. His efforts have established a valuable document of the lives of many, many people up here, both performers and supporters.
Is there any possibility the site can remain posted? It would remain a fitting tribute to his hard work and enthusiasm; on that I am certain hundreds will agree.
My condolences go out to all his nearest and dearest; he is a great loss to our lives; again, I am certain all will agree.
Fondest recollections remain immortalized thanks to Roger, I hope he is resting peacefully.
Grateful thanks, Keith Fisher.
I’ll keep the site online and make sure the comments sections remain open, Keith.
So sorry to hear of Roger’s leaving this mortal coil – he was very generous, sharing with me some “Inside Poop” on Mike Jeffery and I with Him ! I’m glad that I at least was able to speak with him on the phone a few times over the last few months. Peace, love to his family – Keith Dion http://www.305am.com
Thank-you Mae.
Sorry for the tardy response.
Just heard today of the passing of Pete Watson, he was in the jazz board with roger smith and me in the lea Francis show.brian swalwell
Just spotted this sad news. This site opened fabulous memories of fellow musicians and good friends. His articles were superb and he can be regarded as a fine curator for our musical history.
This is an excellent resource. Thank you for keeping it alive!
I have only just now spotted the news, somewhat belatedly, of Roger’s passing.
That is indeed very sad to learn of, as he created a unique resource, unsurpassed by any other, regarding the music scene in the North East. I never met him or heard him play but we were music contemporaries of that time.
His work on RSG, helped me revive my personal memories of those formative times and I daresay for many others of it’s users. There’s also some good social history in the website in addition.
RIP Roger & commiserations to his family.