03-03-2019, 20:52
Blue Weaver was born Derek John Weaver on this day in 1947, in Cardiff, Wales. He is a keys man (was known as something of a mellotron aficionado) and it was he who replaced Rick Wakeman upon the latter's departure from Strawbs. Prior to that Weaver had been with Amen Corner and then Fair Weather. He had a lengthy association with the brothers Gibb, including Andy, co-writing with them occasionally and performing with them on a regular basis – he also has a 57 year long working association with Dennis Byron who was the Bee Gees’ drummer and a fellow compatriot from Amen Corner.
As is usual with someone so steeped in the biz, his collaborations have been many and varied – certainly not confined to the above few mentions. Some others are Barbra Streisand, Brian Parrish, Chicago, Chick Churchill, Claire Johnston, Duran Duran, Family, Gladys Knight, Graeme Edge Band, Jimmy Ruffin, John “Cougar” Mellencamp, Jon Anderson, K.C. & the Sunshine Band, Linda McCartney, Lou Reed, Michael Kamen, Mick Ronson, Mickey Most, Mott the Hoople, Neil Young, Pet Shop Boys, Roger Glover, Stephen Stills, Stevie Wonder, T Rex, Art Of Noise, The Damned and The Osmonds (which is a slightly weird juxtaposition -
).
Mr Weaver still plays, produces and composes, sometimes for commercial use, and seems to be a happy busy man with a dry sense of humour. He has never recorded a solo album and he says on his website, which is named Saturday Night Weaver, (and is not the most user friendly site I’ve ever encountered) – “I’ve tried writing a book about my life but didn’t have the patience, this is more fun so I’ll gradually keep adding recollections of my life events. Any help with stories from you would be appreciated.” http://saturdaynightweaver.com
A track co-written with the Bee Gees - “Songbird” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl3vabbDASA
One written with Robin Gibb, recorded by Jimmy Ruffin - “Hold On (To My Love)” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXQjC0FfxrU
And one from Strawbs with co-writing credits and lovely piano (but not the best sound clip in the world) - “Journey’s End” …. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xc630m
And yet another Strawbs – because it’s my favourite track of theirs (well ... one of them!) – “Tears and Pavan” ….
As is usual with someone so steeped in the biz, his collaborations have been many and varied – certainly not confined to the above few mentions. Some others are Barbra Streisand, Brian Parrish, Chicago, Chick Churchill, Claire Johnston, Duran Duran, Family, Gladys Knight, Graeme Edge Band, Jimmy Ruffin, John “Cougar” Mellencamp, Jon Anderson, K.C. & the Sunshine Band, Linda McCartney, Lou Reed, Michael Kamen, Mick Ronson, Mickey Most, Mott the Hoople, Neil Young, Pet Shop Boys, Roger Glover, Stephen Stills, Stevie Wonder, T Rex, Art Of Noise, The Damned and The Osmonds (which is a slightly weird juxtaposition -
).Mr Weaver still plays, produces and composes, sometimes for commercial use, and seems to be a happy busy man with a dry sense of humour. He has never recorded a solo album and he says on his website, which is named Saturday Night Weaver, (and is not the most user friendly site I’ve ever encountered) – “I’ve tried writing a book about my life but didn’t have the patience, this is more fun so I’ll gradually keep adding recollections of my life events. Any help with stories from you would be appreciated.” http://saturdaynightweaver.com
A track co-written with the Bee Gees - “Songbird” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl3vabbDASA
One written with Robin Gibb, recorded by Jimmy Ruffin - “Hold On (To My Love)” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXQjC0FfxrU
And one from Strawbs with co-writing credits and lovely piano (but not the best sound clip in the world) - “Journey’s End” …. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xc630m
And yet another Strawbs – because it’s my favourite track of theirs (well ... one of them!) – “Tears and Pavan” ….
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson