Sunday, June 20, 2010

In Loving Memory of Neil Emery- Rest in Peace




August 7, 1970 to when the last vinyl disc is pressed & the last Truffala tree falls


"I started life as an egg in a womb 36 years ago, as a child i was shorter than today and used to play pooh sticks on the bridge over troubled waters- i burned that bridge and many others since, my first job was on a fairground, it was a rollercoaster of a ride that lasted 2 years. im currently finding myself- i did see my self in ealing broadway once but couldnt find me in the crowd."

-Neil Emery



"STRAIGHT MAN GONE SOLO FIRST CLASS UNDER-ACHIEVER ARCHITECT OF MY OWN SPECTACULAR DESCENT OBSCURITY'S MOST FAMOUS SON STAR OF STAGE, SCREEN AND TRAMPOLINE, TWAT ''He was officially the last person in the uk to join facebook." -facebook admin dept

Life's rich travesty is that you're not here any more.

I'm so sad and completely shocked, Neil Emery aka NeilByMouth from the bloggers who all met during Pete Townshend' 2005-2206 serialization of "The Boy Who Heard Music" has suddenly died. Neil passed away on Friday, June 18th 2010.

Neil Emery would have been 40 years old on August 7th 2010.

By his side was another lovely fellow blogger, his partner and love, Gypsy Noir. He was and always will be the heart of all of TBWHM bloggers.

Neil, a few days ago I thought about making a comment about how "Good Morning" is my favourite song on Sgt.Peppers B-side the other day when you posted it on Facebook and I left it because nothing witty was coming to me and I now I realized that missed a HUGE chance I'll never get back again. You were so kind to give me all those stars on Itunes and always making me laugh ...You just would have told me not to worry. Thanks for telling me I could stay with you in 2006, thanks also for reminding that a daily commute to London from Northumberland would probably be just a tad tricky!

There you were like a member of The Bonzo Dog band or Viv Stanshall's Old Profanity Showboat with the best photoshops, videos, art work. A true creative who got down to it. Great writer, so much funnier, wiser and more focused than I and most others ever were or was. I may mock but you mocked up. Far more energy efficient and intelligent if you want to send up pop culture. Post modernism? You steamed rolled over it like Harry Hill crossed with Viv Stanshall meets Terry Gilliam on two pots of Nescafe and a package of McVites plain chocolate on a bender with Gazza through the Geordie back roads in Cliff's Summer Holiday Bus- all seamlessly photo shopped for posterity of course.

I'll be, we'll all be saying goodbye for a long time.




Just says it all. Really missing you...we all love you so much.

ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS

In echoed steps I walked across an empty dream
I looked across this world, there was no one to be seen
This empty feeling turned and quietly walked away
I saw no warmth in life - no love was in my eyes
I stared a century thinking this will never change
As I hesitated, time rushed onwards without me
Too scared to break the spell too small to take a fall
But the Absolute luck is - love is in our hearts!

I lost some hours thinking of it
I need the strength to go and get what I want
I lost a lifetime thinking of it
an' lost an era daydreaming like I do

I stared a century thinking this will never change
As I hesitated, time rushed onwards without me
Too scared to break the spell too small to take a fall
But the Absolute luck is - love is in our hearts!

In echoed steps you walk across an empty dream
But look around this world, there's millions to be seen
Come see the tyrants panic see their crumbling empires fall
Then tell 'em we don't fight for fools -
'cos love is in our hearts!

I lost some hours thinking of it
I need the strength to go and get what I want
I lost a lifetime thinking of it
an' lost an era daydreaming like I do

You can lose some hours thinking of it
You need the strength to go and get what you want
You can lose a lifetime thinking of it
And lose an era daydreaming like I do oooooooo

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22 Comments:

Blogger ginab said...

Lovely of you, Amanda, to write so well here. It's unfair. Lost a true conjurer. I loved so how he could makes us laugh over the rich and the certain. He had a nature akin in timing to Chaplin, or I saw him that way. It's nothing learned if just that he discovered he had it. And you're right, he went with it, worked at his art, music, writing, comedy.

My shoes are empty. If that makes sense, then we feel the same. Lost my bearings, the world emptier, less of out loud laughter.

thank you for posting.

-ginab

8:02 AM  
Blogger Suesjoy said...

THANK YOU, Amanda.
xoxoxox

8:11 AM  
Blogger Suesjoy said...

THANK YOU, Amanda.
xoxoxox

8:11 AM  
Blogger Koos F said...

So much love in your writing,and so spot on. Thank you, Amanda.

2:28 PM  
Blogger Ronzi said...

If people are lucky, they come across a person like Neil in their lifetimes. Neil was always there to entertain us, to make us realize the pressures of life are not always the most important thing to focus on. He took his life in stride and when he lost his deep Mum, many of use helped him through that. He was an artist in every sense of the word,musically, artistically and personality wise. A combination hard to find in a friend.
No words describe the void left by a person life this, but one thing is for certain. He is still alive, somewhere watching over us and sitting near a tree sketching us. We'll all be back together soon enough.
Love ya Neil!

2:58 PM  
Blogger Anne-Marie said...

Amanda, you captured the essence of someone I am going to miss so much. Thank you.

xx
AM

3:28 PM  
Blogger Cathy with a C said...

Very nice tribute, Amanda.

Cathy

3:37 PM  
Blogger Gary said...

I loved reading this Amanda, thank you for posting this. I'm crying like a daft fool. Sat and cried with my finger on a mouse pointer for 8 minutes yesterday. It's ok, there was nobody around to see, except all the lovely kids who Neil was connected to, out on the endless wire, and who were likely crying along with me.

I always felt that we knew Neil before he would some day be discovered, and the rest would be comedic history unfolding. A Ricky Gervais for even Ricky Gervais to marvel at. A man who would be the new, new comedy. Nothing snarky or nasty for a calous, TMZ, feed me now blogosphere, only poignant beautiful wit from a guy who had a seemingly endless supply.

Life on the wire will never be the same. I am sure I'll make new friends and have a laugh, but I don't think I'll ever meet anyone quite like Neil Emery. I' missing his presence already and it's only been a matter of hours, and I never even met him. What does that tell you about the power of his personality?

Rest well Neil.

6:29 PM  
Blogger BlackVelvetLace said...

I am speechless, I cannot believe it. Amanda your words are beautiful, reflecting Neil's soul. I am in mourning.

xoxoxoxox
~Lace~

8:14 PM  
Blogger Amanda and SuperAmanda™ said...

Gary, that's exactly how I feel.

8:41 PM  
Blogger Lannio said...

A great loss and wonderful words written by you.

3:14 AM  
Blogger Dan L. said...

Amanda, I do not come here often, but now is good.......Neil wa a good friend, though few of you all may know that.....though, he and I never met....we darn sure should have. I wanted to say, as I heard of his passing....DAMN IT, NEIL.....we had things to do! We had spoken of doing things....it will not, now happen. I love him, I miss him, many of us feel the same....

6:23 AM  
Blogger Fleur de Bee said...

Beautiful Amanda!! He will be missed indeed! xoxo

8:45 PM  
Blogger grace said...

Very lovely Amanda. xox

4:28 PM  
Blogger grace said...

Absolute Beginners....niiiice.

still having a hard time wrapping my head around this news. xx

6:22 AM  
Blogger par.nordstrom said...

Sleep well , sweet man ! //

Ye have sum beaut , heartfelt writin here , Amanda . XX

P.

6:58 AM  
Blogger Amanda and SuperAmanda™ said...

Thanks for visiting and saying goodbye to Neil. It would not have been the same without you there.
Funeral for Neil is scheduled for Friday, 6/25/10. That is 1:30 pm London time.

May those of us around the globe who loved him and are unable to attend, each take some time and listen to two songs that shall be played 'Love is stronger than death' (THEthe) and 'There is a light that never goes out' (The Smiths) during this time.

7:24 AM  
Blogger grace said...

I have my alarm set.

and am listening right now....

5:55 AM  
Blogger Hans said...

I'm in shock as everybody else hanging out at Petes' blog back then.

Neil was a great man that made everybody laugh but with a certain undertone I can't put my finger on right now.
Rest In Peace Neil and thank you Amanda for your nice words.

Hans

11:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I did not know Neil beyond exchanging a few emails, but it was enough to see that he was a good soul, which means by now he's surrounded by good souls.

2:48 AM  
Blogger Dawn Matthews said...

I have just heard the terrible news!!! Please someone tell me what happened!!!!!! Neil and I were very dear friends from school. We lost touch but recently found each other again. But now I have lost him. I am so sad. Neil was a very kind, loving, caring, sensitive, and wonderful person who I am very pleased to have had in my life. xxxxxxx

12:32 AM  
Blogger Amanda and SuperAmanda™ said...

Good morning Dawn, Thanks so much for posting on this with all of us; we really miss him. Losing Neil has very upsetting as it just does not seem fair nor just.

His partner said he passed suddenly

Neil was a loving and kind soul and we all just want him back.

2:01 AM  

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