This page is dedicated to the memory of
James Dewar
The day after Jimmy's passing, word had spread all over the world almost instantly. People started to write to some of the mailing lists and to this and other sites. I felt these should be made available to be read to share the loss of one of the
world's truely great musicians.
The World mourns the passing of
Jimmy Dewar
Paisley Express
Thursday, 23 May 2002
FUNERAL OF ROCK LEGEND DEWAR
THE funeral of one of the rock world's best known figures took place in Paisley yesterday.
James Dewar, vocalist and bassist for the legendary Robin Trower Band, passed away in Dykebar Hospital. He was 59.
He performed in a number of the band's albums, including Bridge of Sighs, which is generally considered to be one of the classic rock albums ever produced.
Robin Trower paid tribute to his friend from Paisley, whose funeral was at Woodside Crematorium. Trower said: "James had been ill for years, but his death is still shocking and tragic to his millions of fans. "This is a time of sadness and we must allow ourselves to mourn and remember the incredible James Dewar each in our own way."
Daily Record
Saturday May 18, 2002
ROCK PIONEER DIES AT THE AGE OF 59
May 18 2002
Kevin Turner
ROCK pioneer James Dewar has died after suffering a massive stroke.
And the Scot kept his passion for music right to the end.
At the peak of his career, the guitarist and singer played to packed US
stadiums with the platinum- selling Robin Trower Band.
He also helped Lulu get her big break and influenced groups such as the Stereophonics and Metallica.
But on Thursday, 14 years after his health began to fail, the 59-year-old died in his sleep at Dykebar Hospital in Paisley.
Last night, his widow, Mattie told how the Robin Trower album Long Misty Days was played for her husband the day before he died. She said: "When the music started Jimmy's fingers were going. I said
to my daughter Lisa, 'he's playing the guitar'. He loved the guitar and loved music, so Jimmy died doing what he liked best."
Stars such as Frankie Miller, Billy Connolly and Rod Stewart were among Dewar's biggest fans .
Mattie, of Paisley, said: "From Top of The Pops to the big stadiums in America, Jimmy could have no complaints about his career"
"I was just 17 when we met and it was love at first sight. I gave him the eye in a Glasgow cafe and two years later, we were married."
Dewar will be cremated at Paisley's Woodside Crematorium on Wednesday.
AN EPITAPH TO A SCOTTISH LEGEND
As you may or may not know, James Dewar, late of The Robin Trower Band, Stone the Crows and Lulu and the lovers died today at Dykebar Hospital. I have attached a small tribute to the man who was both my teacher and my hero.
Thank you
George Ross Watt
(singer, guitar player with Big George and the Business and The James Dewar Band).
The man who many have called “The Pavarotti of rock ‘n’ roll” died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday 16th May 2002 after a long illness.
Strangely, Jimmy’s career was not to begin with his vocal talents, but as guitar player with Lulu and the Lovers in the early 60’s. From that point on, Jimmy’s career was to flourish beyond all his expectations.
Maggie Bell took him on board with the legendary “Stone the Crows” and the shy man’s voice was soon exposed on classics like “The touch of your loving hand”. Another young singer had exploded onto the music scene, but the best was yet to come.
Living in London with his wife Martha and their young family, he was approached by Frankie Miller. The two Glasgow buddies were having a small refreshment when out of the blue Frankie told Jimmy that “there might be a job going” with some guitar player called Robin Trower, that the music industry insiders were raving about. “What kind of job?” asked Jimmy. Frankie laughed and said, “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe playing bass, maybe singing”. Jimmy applied and got both jobs.
The Robin Trower Band became the hottest thing on the planet and introduced “Stadium Rock” to the U.S.A. Frankie was right! The R.T.B. were the first band to sell tickets by the hundreds of thousands. Gold and Platinum albums were thrown at them like frizbees.
Amongst James Dewars biggest fans were Frankie Miller, Billy Connolly, Donny Hathaway, Rod Stewart, not forgetting Maggie Bell and Lulu herself.
The famous Scottish screenwriter, Peter McDougall, still talks of his first experience of meeting Jimmy. When having a drink with Frankie, Peter noticed that the man standing next to him was clothed in snakeskin trousers, cowboy boots and not much else. “Who’s that?” Peter asked. Frankie replied “That’s James Dewar”. Peter howled, “ Well, I want to be one of them!”
It says it all. Everyone from Metallica to the Stereophonics were influenced by the voice of the Scotsman. The man the music industry recognized as the voice from heaven has finally gone home. We will all miss you James.
“The little guy with the big voice”
I guess each one of us is very sad about Jimmy's passing. Although, I'm feeling deeply sad to know that we don't have him living in this world with us anymore, I believe that his time has arrived. Not soon, not late. Just arrived.
I feel very grateful to him because he gave us a lot of good music. We still can hear him anytime we want while we are here. Goodbye and God Bless you Jim.
Paulo Naef (Brazil)
Condolences to Jimmy's family and to all of us who loved the man's great voice,he had one of the best voices in rock music,without question,regards
Tony Plowden (Vancouver Canada)
I'd like to add my thoughts about James. I first listened to THE voice in 1974 on a cold rainy night in Manchester (England) and if I close my eyes I can still see and hear that night as if it was yesterday. Although it's 28 years ago the effect James voice had on me is still as strong today as it was then. When ever I listen to music there is always something by Robin Trower included, and it is intresting to see the effect this has on people who have not listened to Robin before, the question is always, who was that, even my 18 month old child stop's and listens.
The world is a sadder and colder place without James,God bless you. The memory of you and your music will never leave me.
Lawrence Pearson. (United Kingdom)
This is very sad news. About a week ago a guy on the texasflood email list posted that he had added your Trower link to his Hendrix web site. Being a Trower fan from the way back I immediately visited your site. When I got there I saw the link for the interview with James, and read it. I couldn't finish first time through. I got to teary eyed.
Although Robin's guitar playing always amazed the hell out of me, James voice and phrasing on the bass enchanted me. I remember being shocked when I found out he was not black. I couldn't believe a white boy could sing with that much soul. So smooth, soft and yet so powerful. Real classic singer.
Well I lost track of Robin Trower for a few years and when I rediscovered Robin, James was gone. Until I read your interview I had no idea what had happened to James. Hence the sadness to read about his condition. And then to hear he has left us, just dug that feeling in a little deeper.
Well here is to James Dewar, may his soul rest in peace and his voice fill the heaven's. God bless him for the joy he brought us all.
Bob &Cindy Wallbridge (Belleville Ont.Canada)
Jimmy's voice has been a blessing to me and my wife for years, I cried when I first read this news, how terrible. My prayers go out to his family. Jimmy's talent, especially in the years with Robin, will leave a legacy.
Ken Carroll (ILL. USA)
No words can describe the loss... but we still have his voice on our CD's and vinyl.
Remembered Forever and ever with love in each word sung.
Kathleen Wroblewski ( Erie, PA. USA)
I just returned today from a holiday to hear the terrible news. I can't put down in words what my heart feels. Such a sad loss to us all. I was so looking forward to meeting up with Jimmy at the upcoming Frankie Miller tribute gig just to shake his hand and thank him personally for all the joy and happiness he has brought into Linda's and my life.
I have never heard anyone speak ill of Jimmy, only good, so the world and us have lost a GOOD MAN.
Good-bye to our Stumbledown Romancer. He certainly made the grade.....
Ray Martin (Ireland)
I was saddened by news of James Dewar's passing. It seemed he was doing well! He's been mentioned in the list a couple of times recently, and he seemed to be more active and interested in things. I was very happy for him.
I was born in Scotland, and it was only a few years back when I learned that James was Scottish. Not only that, he lived in the same town we're from. A few weeks ago my mom left for a trip back to that town (Paisley), and I jokingly asked her to "say hello to Jimmy." I explained who Jimmy was, and she waved me aside with a laugh.
Then this... Needless to say I was shocked and saddened. Robin has worked with some great singers, but to me James Dewar was the definitive voice of Trower. He always will be.
Brian Quinn
I just wanted to write a few lines in remembrance of James. I didn't hear his voice with RT's playing the first time. I caught the ending of Too Rolling Stoned on the radio and thought it was Jimi Hendrix at first until Jimmy came in singing "I'm too rolling stoned, baby" and that's when I was hooked. At a time when a lot of bands were fronted by singers who were famous for the high register scream type of singing, Jimmy was a breath of fresh air with his soulful R&B style.
He made it OK (cool) for us to enjoy songs like Bluebird and Birthday Boy and I'm Out to Get You. Such a wonderful voice and musician and I am so thankful that Steve Shail reintroduced us to Jimmy with his interview and updates. I hope RT will dedicate a song on the next tour (Daydream?) to Jimmy so we can all have a good cry together.
Darrell Jones
I'd congratulate you on a wonderful site if my heart wasn't broken about Jimmy's passing, and his prior suffering. Along with all the other praise Jimmy's honeyed voice and effortlessly
dead-on phrasing have received - all true - let's not overlook that Jimmy's voice was the soundtrack for the moment when countless people fell in love, much the way Elvis or Sinatra once were. Although it might make a few of us blush, I know I'm not the only person to have indelible, crystal-clear memories of making love while wrapped in the warming coccon of "Bluebird" and "For Earth Below" and "About To Begin" and "Little Girl". And that's not a nudge-of-the-elbow and a lascivious-wink type of comment but simply the highest praise I know to give an artist.
Some day - maybe even right this moment - some kid who doesn't know who the heck "Jimmy Dewar'" is, is going to plunk on a vintage Trower album on a whim, hear that voice riding atop Robin's licks; vistas are going to open up wide and that kid's world will never be the same again. This is the blessing inside the sadness - that every time that happens, Jimmy will be alive, strong & healthy.
