My pal Brian Bethell, who has died of coronary heart failure aged 74, was a musician and journalist within the UK and Australia. He labored with the Blow Monkeys, 9 Beneath Zero, Paul Weller, the 69ers and the Richard Clapton Band, and toured with musicians starting from Chuck Berry to the Who.
In 1981 Brian joined the R&B band 9 Beneath Zero as bassist. He carried out on their early albums together with Third Diploma, with its entrance cowl picture by David Bailey, appeared on TV reveals resembling The Previous Gray Whistle Check, High of the Pops, OTT and the South Financial institution Present, and toured Britain and Europe. In 1982 he appeared with the band on the BBC TV comedy collection The Younger Ones.
Later that 12 months he left 9 Beneath Zero and joined the Fact. He additionally toured and recorded along with his pal Robert Howard (AKA Dr Robert) within the Blow Monkeys, till taking early retirement in 1997.
The elder son of William, a wages clerk, and Mavis, who labored in a bakery, Brian was born in Epsom, Surrey, grew up close by in Worcester Park, and was educated at Kingston grammar faculty. His musical profession started when his father purchased him a bass guitar for his thirteenth birthday.
In 1968, quickly after he left faculty, Brian and his household emigrated to Australia on the Ten Pound Pom Scheme. Their journey on the TSS Fairstar was an enormous journey. His dad and mom and youthful brother, Martin, returned to the UK, however Brian remained in Sydney and joined the Solar newspaper as a trainee journalist. He performed in native bands together with the 69ers, and was on bass for Richard Clapton’s 1975 hit music Women on the Avenue.
Brian and I first met in 1978 as journalists at TV Occasions journal in Sydney. I had simply arrived again from the UK with dozens of latest wave rock band cassettes, which reignited his dream of a profession in London. He had actual stage presence and youthful beauty. In 1980 we moved to London, marrying in 1981 and dealing collectively at Visnews and Reuters.
Our separation in 1995 was laborious, however after I remarried, my new husband gracefully accepted our want to stay buddies, which made it simpler for the entire household. In 1997 we each went with Brian to see the singer Geno Washington carry out in Richmond, Surrey. That evening Brian met and fell in love with Susan Skene, they usually remained collectively till his loss of life.
Brian was a Labour supporter and Fulham soccer fan, a form and clever particular person, and an excellent musician who delved deep for emotional reality. He was by no means boring or pretend.
He’s survived by Susan, me and our kids, David and Lucille, and 4 grandchildren, Poppy, Florence, Daisy and Marley, and his brother, Martin.
