Quo, Michael, Princess Leia and rabbits...

Another Christmas and another batch of icons has passed away. Like last year, these have been dramatic, extremely saddening and unexpected.

Rick Parfitt was the first to go. I know he lived life to the full, a true rock and roller. He had had heart issues over the years but he was one of the iconic faces of Status Quo, a band that was going to run forever. He and Francis Rossi were the denim clad sound of 70's rock. This is the band that kicked off Live Aid in the 80's and even in the last few years had released some superb tracks.
I had recently been listening to the live version of "Roadhouse Blues/Big Fat Mama", exciting and beautifully imperfect, showing the furious four as the no nonsense powerhouse that they were:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqmXoK93_NY

Then there was George Michael, not someone that I had ever been a big fan of but he was a part of my life, a huge star that I had taken pleasure in slating, then begrudgingly admiring. I think it is tragic that anyone feels the need to hide their sexuality and to be outed in the way he was, it was demeaning and embarrassing but it was the way he handled the situation that commanded my respect. The subsequent single, "Outside" and the video set in a men's urinals with George dressed as a Policeman, it was sheer genius, hilarious and showed a side to the man that I didn't know existed, a sense of humour. This is the only George Michael song that I have on my phone but I think it is a slice of gorgeousness, simply a beautiful and well written song and acoustic, what's not to love?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syb876tgoaM
To hear what a kind man he was, a charitable person that kept it all secret, not only am I shocked at his death, I am deeply saddened that such a nice person had such a difficult life.

Then there was Carrie Fisher. Maybe not such a shock as she had had the heart attack but you don't believe that Princess Leia can die. I watched the face of my youngest just crumble as she heard. She first remembered Carrie Fisher in "the Blues Brothers" but is such a Star Wars fan, as am I of course. I could hear the collective sob of generations when that news broke. Some of the greatest films ever made and such an iconic character and seeing Carrie Fisher more recently in interviews, such a vivacious woman, it is impossible to think that she is no longer here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftt4f2H3GDs

Lastly, there was Richard Adams, the man that wrote the perfect book, Watership Down". A book that has so many layers that all ages can read it and understand it The writing is prosaic but not overly wordy. He trod a fine line but managed to paint a true picture in words yet still retain the urgency of the story, even Tolkein struggled with that yet Richard Adams made it seem so effortless. It is one of the few books that I know I will shed a tear over at the end. It beautifully handles life and death and I cannot recommend the book enough, it is truly one of the greatest books ever written and I hope that many more will remember him amongst the others that have passed at the same time. If you've not read it, pick it up and prepare for a journey of emotions, picturing the chalky hillsides, the hollow triumph and danger at every turn.

Like last year and the start of this year, we have lost some icons of our youth, people we grew up with, sang their songs, watched their films and read their books. I am grateful that these people have influenced my life in ways that they would never know. They had touched the lives of my children and their influence has been nothing but positive, despite any issues they may have had in their own lives. I hope they lived happy lives and I hope they are remembered by others as fondly as I remember them.

...not even the great John Lewis, can match Richer Sounds for quality of service...

You may remember that I bought a Fatman Blu a year or so back, from Richard at Richer Sounds. For an extra £20 he sold me their extended warranty, for peace of mind and the fact that if I didn't use it, I could claim it back.
Well, the Fatman Blu had a problem so on Friday I called Richer Sounds customer service but as it was 17.01 and they close at 17.00, no-one picked up. "Ah well," thought I, "I'll call again on Monday".
Saturday, mid morning and I am lying like a beached whale across the sofa, watching crap on television when my mobile rings. Unknown number, do I pick it up or ignore it? Always a question. I picked it up and a voice on the end of the phone states that she missed a call from me last night and she is from the customer services team at Richer Sounds and how can she help me.
I was flabbergasted, I am not aware of any company that actively chases problems up but we went through my details and she told me to take the amp into the local branch and they will test it and have the unit repaired.
I unplugged the system and in my lunch break on the Monday, I took the amp into the Milton Keynes store, from whence it came originally after a superb sales job by Richard. I really wish that I had taken the name of the chap that served me on the return unit because he was also excellent. He replaced the amp there and then, it was so simple and painless and it left me with a nice warm fuzzy feeling and the certainty that I would be recommending their service. It is almost a pleasure to spend money there and I can't say that about any other store, not even the great John Lewis (and they are really good), can match Richer Sounds for quality of service, both sales and support.

It's not as if I have spent a huge amount of money there but I may well be on the look out for another amp in the next few years, an upgrade on the Fatman Blu and Richer Sounds will be my first port of call. It is very obvious that the people there know their stuff and they have a love of audio and it is so good to see a company that has pride in its knowledge and staff, and as someone who worked in retail for a good few years in my younger days, Richer Sounds is quite an amazing and unique organisation, who genuinely put the customer first and have service levels that other shops dream of, and that includes their customer service team that called me back..

Go and spend some money there, go buy a record deck to play your vinyl on, invest in a Fatman Blu and take their advice on speakers and don't forget the pre-amp. They will make you very happy at a budget price, go on, go and buy some valves, you know you want to...