It was with real sadness that I read of the death of Jim Capaldi.

For me, many people who were around the Vale dance hall scene in the early sixties, he was our mate who made the big time.

While I have followed his successful career in the music world, which has extended way beyond his chart successes, it is the early days in Evesham, which those of us who new him well, still remember.

Jim was not a drummer in those days, he was the lead singer, and I remember that all dancing would stop in the Public Hall, to listen to his rendering of the then Conway Twitty classics "Mona Lisa", and "Only Make Believe". He was a "local celebratory" even then, and could often be seen, more correctly heard, as he walked his girl friend home, singing to her as he strummed his guitar.

Sunday night band rehearsals in the Vauxhall Inn club room were open to anyone who wanted to sit in and listen, and the number of people who were usually there reflected the popularity of "our local" lads.

Jim and I were both engineering apprentices in Worcester in the early sixties, and travelled together by car to work everyday.

I still remember the Friday evening when he told me that he wouldn't be coming to work any more because he was "turning pro". I also remember my advice, being " You'll never make any money doing that, finish your apprenticeship so you will have something to fall back on"

What did I know?

It is very sad that Jim's ongoing musical talent is now lost, but from someone for whom knowing Jim Capaldi was a proud "claim to fame", I can only say thanks for the memories.

Jim, thanks to the musical legacies you have left us, the show will go on.

Glenn Webb, Harvington.