By far the hardest post I’ve ever had to write as I need to report the passing of Ronnie Clark, one half of The Southbound Attic Band.

I met Ronnie in 2008 in a pub in Southport at an open mic night and then a short while later in The White Star just around the corner from The Cavern, Mathew Street, Liverpool UK. I had been singing my own songs and Ronnie, a guitarist, said that he liked them and would be happy to play anything I liked to accompany them. I took him up on the offer and he became an essential part of our music as an inventive and melodic bass player and singer. Initially a three piece with Geoff Hall on keys and vocals, the duo line up was formed early in 2009 and continued until Ronnie’s death. We played some covers and originals in pubs and clubs for a while but progressively became an all original outfit.

We recorded 5 CDs with Ian Lewis at Whitby Rd Studios, and played wherever we could, including theatre productions of The Willows Suite. At a time when Radio Merseyside featured local acts we were very fortunate to get support from Billy Butler, Stan Ambrose and Billy Maher, great days! We became frequent travelers to Folk On The Farm in Anglesey, a special place for both of us. Our involvement with Ian Prowse’s Monday Club at the Cavern Pub started in 2011, drawn to the ethos of an open mic for original songs and Ian’s encouragement. Along with Johnny Sands‘ lovely acoustic sessions at Heebie Jeebies, Seel St, Liverpool, another event encouraging original songs, we found a niche for ourselves and enjoyed playing each week, constantly meeting new, talented musicians from all over the world, many of whom would become firm friends. My friend Mark Whitfield, editor of Americana UK and I promoted our own series of events, most memorably three years of the monthly Acoustic Dustbowl events at the lovely View Two Gallery on Mathew St, with the blessing of owner Ken Martin. Ronnie and I hosted the events, played an opening set, and shared the stage with many renowned international artists as well as talented local acts.

One particular song that I wrote, inspired by something that Ronnie said (and the Monday Club swearers) cemented our place in local events and helped to secure us invitations to play other events in the city, thanks to Graham Holland at Liverpool Acoustic, Thom Morecroft and Colin Maddocks‘ Grateful Fred events amongst others, and all over the country, particularly as an opening act for the fabulous Ian Prowse and Amsterdam in such places as The Brudenell, Leeds and London’s famous 100 Club, and ultimately, in December 2022, at Liverpool’s O2 Academy. Ronnie’s failing health, and lockdown, took its toll on him and he played less and less over the last few years, but he was determined to play at the O2 Academy, although he had hoped to have his heart surgery prior to the gig so that he could have played following his recovery. In the event, he played the O2 Academy gig, which he loved, but, sadly, only because the surgery was delayed, and he was subsequently unable to make the recovery that we’d all hoped for.

A rock guitarist from an early age, Ronnie had played in the original Cavern and had seen The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix live, and although he didn’t think of himself as a bass player at all, he developed his own style, much admired by musicians and punters alike and I consider myself very lucky to have had him play and enhance my musical compositions. But beyond that, he loved to entertain,and we had so much fun playing that the inter song banter became as much part of the show as the songs. I’d like to think that the song performances were well rehearsed and tight, but the banter was always improvised on the spot and amused ourselves just as much as it appeared to amuse the audience! I couldn’t have asked for more from a band-mate and I can’t begin to imagine what life will be like without him. Barry x