MEL GALLEY 1948-2008

[hackney]

Bill, what a wonderful tribute – thank you.

[equinox91]

This is very sad news. But I am glad he was able to spend the remainder of his days surrounded by family and friends. And that he passed on peacefully.

I know what it is like to be given a poor prognosis and come within arm's length of one own's mortality. To live every moment as if it were your last. Its not just a cliche for some people.

Mel experienced highs (playing with the likes of Trapeze and Whitesnake) and lows (his horrific, career-threatening hand injury) in his lifetime and he endured it all with class.

I send my sincerest condolences to Mel's family and friends...

Brian

[Weissheim]

Originally Posted by hackney

Bill, what a wonderful tribute – thank you.

Yes, thanks very much for putting your thoughts into words so beautifully.

Rest in Peace Mel.

[purplecockney]

Mel Galley was a sadly underated musician.

You are the music,and Medusa remain to this day 2 of my favourite albums.

I remember being at a great Trapeze show at the Marquee in late 1978 when pete goalby was in the band.

Glenn paid a moving tribute to him at the Astoria show in London a few weeks ago.
A sad loss as a musician and a husband ,father and i'm sure a true and loyal mate.

My sincere condolonces to Mel's family and friends.

[Chip]

Todd has asked me to post his thoughts, and he would like to express the following...

"My condolences to Mel Galley's family, friends and fans. Mel was an underrated talent who was a true gentleman of the guitar. Whether a song was fiery, funky or soulful, there was always a simple elegance to his playing. There were no wasted notes. Mel Galley gave us some great music, and in that his memory will live on. With great sadness and fond remembrance...Todd."

[AYESHA]

I am very sad to hear about the death of Mel Galley. He was and still is a very talented guitarist, singer and songwriter. I like to thank him for the wonderful music that he made with Whitesnake, Trapeze and Phenomena. I will miss him a lot and my thoughts and condolences go to his family and friends and also to Glenn Hughes.

Rest in Peace Mel

Ayesha

[Johngh]

Very sad news, Mel along with Glenn inspired me to take up playing music over 35 years ago after getting into one of the best bands around "Trapeze"

You are the Music Mel - were just the fans

Heartfelt condolences to Mels family at this sad time.

Mel, I salute you !

[Mark3]

Sorry to hear of Mel's passing, he showed great dignity in his accepatnce of his illness.

I feel for all those who new him personaly, his wife and family and of course Glenn and all those he touched with his music.

May you be at peace. A life well lived.

[JOHN NEWMAN]

I joined the fan forum today just to say how sorry I am to here
of the passing of Mel G. I cannot say how many hours of listening pleasure he, Glenn, and Dave gave me way back when.
You are already missed Mel,
John

[wolfysmith]

The 3 local papers here in Cannock are all published on a Thursday so i expected them to have already gone to press when the news broke.

However, the Chase Post had this article on Mel

[wolfysmith]

This was the front page of the Cannock and Lichfield edition of the Express and Star.

The article on page five inside was posted earlier by Hackney as a pdf

[John Russo]

It is a very sad day. I just found out about Mel. I knew it was coming but still it is a shock. Thanks for all the great years of music and great guitar solo's. You will be greatly missed . Your in the arns of the highest power now. Your music from all the bands you were in will live on forever. Rest In Peace brother . I will miss you. Your Fan John R

[Bassman]

A very sad time. Lets remember the good times during the 70's I saw Trapeze many times with and without Glenn. I was at Donnington for the Whitesnake triumph. I met him a few times over the years and he always took time to chat. Mels work will be remembered by all those with a knowledge of classic rock and has inspired any band that strive to fuse rock and funk (Trapeze were first!!!!).

My band are playing at the Stumble Inn, Cannock tonight (Sat 5th July). The perfect place to dedicate the entire show to the memory of Mel. My sincere condolences go to his family (which must include Glenn)

Dat's It!!

BTW: Glenn. The Robin show was top class!!

[Grace]

No words...........















*

[Funky Mallo]

We have lost one of the greatest musicians in the world. But we still have his music and his art!!! He will live forever in our hearts.
I pray for Mel and I pray for you Glenn, to help you to find the strenght in this hard moment.

Keep it funky Big Daddy, YOU ARE THE MUSIC! WE'RE JUST THE FANS!!

[marcus galley]

Thanks to everyone for the postings and messages we're getting, in means the world to us.

x

[Still got the Blues]

Sad news indeed, Thanks for the music Mel.

RIP

[FCinnella]

Mel we will all miss you and always love you for who you were and what you brought to us.

[profusion]

RIP Mel

A truly unique talent and someone who will be missed.

[Bolinbabe]

I would like to send my love, strength and blessings to Mel's family and friends. I am very honored that Mel's work is part and parcel of my music collection, and it seems that he earned his angel wings...albeit too early. We salute you, Mel.

[soul_searcher]

That's very sad!

[Avalon51]

It's very sad , I will miss you Rest in Peace, Mel.

[Keith Thompson]

Having been away since Mel passed I would just like to say this on the day of his funeral. Mel was a true gentleman and a very rare human being. In a business often known for its dishonesty and lack of integrity, Mel was a man who kept his feet firmly on the ground, his friends and later his family being his main priority. When the sun goes down, that's all that matters. Love is the thing.

[purplemusic]

well said keith.
you speak eligantly for all of us.
may God bless Mel and all of his family, friends, and fans.
cheers and peace,

[David]

Quote:

Scores of mourners gathered to pay their last respects to former Whitesnake guitarist Mel Galley. St John’s Church, in Hednesford Road, Heath Hayes, was packed with at least 100 people while around 20 others braved the constant rain huddled beneath umbrellas and trees listening to the service via a PA system. Famous faces were among those who came to grieve for Mr Galley including former Trapeze bandmate and Deep Purple star Glenn Hughes, Wolverhampton TV presenter Suzi Perry and former Whitesnake bandmate and Black Sabbath bass player Neil Murray. Addressing the congregation, Glenn Hughes recalled how he, aged 12 or 13, snuck into the Med in Cannock to watch Mr Galley play and the fun, jokes and laughter they had on tour in the US with Trapeze. The 60-year-old died of cancer on July 1 at his home in Bank Street, Heath Hayes, nursed by his wife Annette. Mr Hughes said: “He was up with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton in my eyes, he was my first guitar hero. “It is because of him I wanted to be a musician. He was a giver, not a taker and I was so proud of him. He was a lad from Cannock who wrote amazing songs.” In his eulogy, John Hackney, a friend of Mr Galley for 45 years, added: “It was way too soon, and completely unfair on all counts. I know as humble as you always were, you would still be pleased to know that the world sends its love and that people all over this planet are mourning your passing. “We’ve all lost a friend, we’ve lost a champion, your music touched a great many people. “There are thousands of guitarists out there, but only a handful who could command the attention, the respect that you have.” After the funeral, Neil Murray said: “He was really down to earth, smiling, joking and just a really great man.“

http://www.expressandstar.com/2008/07/10/mourners-say-farewell-to-rocker-mel/

[wolfysmith]

The funeral was a moving and fitting goodbye to a GREAT man.

Glenn gave a lovely, moving address and we all had a tear in our eyes along with him.

Both "Your Love Is Alright" and "Makes You Wanna Cry" (what a great solo along to G's groovy bassline) were played in full in the church.

My wife said later "We all know people who are nobodys who act like they are somebody. Mel was a Somebody who acted like they were nobody." It takes a very special person to be like that.

Mel was and always will be a very special person to us and a great many others.

Final song played at the service was "I'll See You In My Dreams" by Joe Brown.

I'll See You In My Dreams - YouTube

I'll See You In My Dreams - YouTube

[steve28]

These days I try not to get too sentimental - but I have really been moved by the local press coverage of Mel's passng and funeral today. Excuse the pun, but he obviously touched a lot of lives. I never saw Trapeze in the '70's (too young) but caught the reformation in the '90's and saw Mel in Whitesnake several times.

A live version of "Jury" is blasting away in the background as I type. Powerful stuff.

So I just wanted to say "Goodbye Mel".

[wolfysmith]

here is what the local papers printed.

the picture of Suzi Perry was on the front page of the Express and Star .

[ChowDog]

I spent the better part of my high school years listening to "Trapeze" here in the southern US. While Trapeze wasn't a houshold name in the US back then, in North Carolina where I lived, everyone had the "You are the Music, we're just the band" 8 track in their cars. We could'nt get enough of Trapeze.

My heart was saddened to hear of Mel's passing. In my mind he was a very underated guitarist.

My heart goes out to his family and may he rest in peace.

[purplemusic]

welcome to the site chowdog. it's good 2 c another fan from s.c. on here, although it seems you're an import from n.c. but we drop the north/south thing sometime to make us all feel just like carolina folks, right ? just ask the panthers, huh.
peace,