Charlie's gone

[Paul Fisher]

Like everyone else, very shocked and very sad. I switched on TV this morning at 7am and found out from the BBC London news. I also feel privileged to have known Charlie and always appreciated his support and encouragement. Warm, generous and an inspiration.

[agogojo]

Why I have never registered on this site before is beyond me. I am devastated by this loss. I never knew him but have relied on him to bring wonderful music, facts and humour into my life. Soha is playing as I type but there has been so much more. I love the swapping of DJ'ing between him and his guest. It's a model others should try.

Please maintain this site as long as you can bear so that I can listen again.

The best thing? If he liked it he played it!

Love to all family and friends,

Jo.

[PaulG]

This indeed is very sad news. I didn't know Charlie well but worked with him on a number of occasions presenting concerts at Clapham Common bandstand. I true gentleman and a lovely guy.

[John-Rowland]

Years ago I came across an album by Franco & Le TPOK Jazz, it was my first foray into what would become a passion for music from all over the world. I looked for somebody to guide me, that person was Charlie Gillett. I regret very much that I won't be hearing his programs anymore. :(

My condolences to his family, his BBC family and the many listeners who will mourn his passing.

R.I.P Charlie!

[Janet M]

I heard on the World Service - and find myself quite choked up. Everything I want to say has been put more eloquently already, but I do hope there is some lasting memorial to Charlie and the enormous beneficial influence he had with the music industry, the remarkable musicians he introduced to a wider audience, and all the people whose lives he touched.
My thoughts are with his family
Janet

[Paul Inglis]

I've literally only just heard the news. I was just about to jump on this forum and I thought "I'll check the news first" and the very first thing I saw was a story about Charlie. He's now the Late Great Charlie Gillett. We'll never see his like again.

[Ted]

I just packed my daughter off to school, electric guitar on her back - school Battle Of The Bands this afternoon. I've got no idea what her band are going to play, but I do know that she'd been arguing with the others that they should play "Caravan" (the Duke Ellington song) which she'd first heard played by a Brazilian band on Charlies Radio London show. Another pair of ears that Charlie helped to open.

[mike gavin]

Rock on Charlie G...

[johnny chandler]

Charlie was a beautiful music man, his passion, knowledge and professionalism an inspiration. I'm deeply saddened by this news. All strength to his family and friends at this difficult time. Thank you Charlie x

[mirandahinkley]

I heard the sad news last night on the radio. I don't really have any words right now, I'm so crushed. Charlie was an extraordinary human being, so full of music, of kindness, of generosity of spirit. The afternoons going through his CDs were some of the happiest - completely submerged in music, and what a person to share it with!

Buffy - bigs hugs and deep deep condolences. I'm so very sorry.

[WOMEX]

What a loss for the world music community this is. Deepest sympathy to his family

[MaryU]

This will feel like a personal loss for so many people all over the world... No doubt I'm not the only one playing archive stuff this morning just to hear his lovely voice.

[werner]

He's been one of the greatest guys in musical history..still reading 'sound of the city'..
simply brillant
werner
zensor music & books

[Beach Bum Music]

God bless you Charlie, you were an inspiration.

[Adam Blake]

Hello. I'm a producer on a BBC World Service news programme. We're obviously covering the fact that Charlie has passed away. I was wondering, given all the thousands and thousands of songs Charlie must have played on his shows, whether anyone who knew him can suggest a piece of music or a song that was one of his personal favourites, that we could play a bit of on our programme, The World Today.

Also, if anyone has any thoughts on the "must have" interview, the person we should really be interviewing about Charlie, please do say.

Best wishes

Ann

I think he's already been suggested, but Nick Lowe would be perfect. I can put you in touch with him if you contact me via the Personal Messages facility.
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I woke up sad today, and I have every reason to be happy. It's a beautiful spring day, that cruel winter has finally come to an end and my partner, who lives so far away, is coming to stay with me. We met through this forum, thanks to Charlie. We have often talked about how extraordinary that is, but Charlie was an extraordinary man. We hoped to hook up with him but now we can't do that in this lifetime anymore.

I didn't know him well. I was in awe of him and this tended to stilt our conversations. Also, as a musician, I was painfully aware that this is a man who is constantly being hassled by musicians, so I never asked him for anything. I will always cherish the memory of being invited by Charlie to view his library. He knew how much it would mean to me. He chuckled whilst I goggled and after he had deemed a suitable length of time had elapsed he said, "Alright Blake, that's enough. Out!" I virtually had to be dragged out by the earlobes. It was by far the most impressive library of recorded music I have ever seen or am ever likely to see. I miss him so much already and I didn't even know him that well. My friend Kevin Armstrong was doing a gig last night when he got the news just before he was due to go onstage. He was barely able to play. The deep irony being that he was just about to perform a set of his own material for the first time in aeons - something that Charlie had been nudging him to do for at least twenty years, since his band Local Heroes (that Charlie signed to his Oval Records label) split up.

Charlie was unique. Gentleman, mensch, husband, father, grandfather, tireless patron of the art of music. God, he will be so missed so much. So much.