Smokie aka Ste Stokes RIP.

[Hooker1951]

It’s with great sadness I must tell you that Ste died this morning around 12.30 am. He fought to the last, they only gave him 48 hours on Monday last week and he fought and lasted another 8 days. We have lost a true character a lovely happy man who loved his friends loved his music and who could never be replaced and who will never be forgotten, He did tell me a few weeks ago if you missed the first link I put on to let all his friends on and off the Scene that he loved you all and he meant it.  He did have his loved ones with him and his best friend Alan who has really looked after him and been with him through this awful time. It still is so sad even when you knew this day was coming, I’m sure you will join with me in sending love and prayers to Ste’s family and loved ones 

As soon as I find details of his funeral arrangements I will leave them on here.

Fare well my Friend and I will see you again in (Another Place Another Time)

Will Love you Forever

Mick Lyons.

[Jez Jones]

Such sad news Mick....RIP Smokie and condolences go out to friends and family.....Another 'good un' gone

[Tagtag]

Very sad news, RIP Smokie.

Carl & Tracy x

[Mick Holdsworth]

Oh dear, that's such bad news, So sad to hear this.

 

[Roger Banks]

Heartbreaking news today

I spoke to Ste just over a week ago and in his usual style he was more concerned about how we were than himself. We laughed a little cause he finally called me Roger rather than Banky as he always did.

A friend that will be missed by so many, especially Alan.

Our sincere love & condolences to his family & friends.

Roger & Jenny x

Edited October 27, 2021 by Roger Banks

[Martyn Pitt]

Sad news indeed Mick, Smokey was a genuinely larger than life character who will be missed.

Our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

Martyn & Carol x

 

 

 

[Winsford Soul]

Thanks Mick. 

Really sad new Smokie was a legend  when I first got onto this scene in 1975 it wasn't that many years later when I was introduced to him , we hit it off and always had a laugh or a tale to tell whenever we met up.

Your not suffering anymore Ste and have gone to a better place, until we meet again 

Deepest sympathy to all his family and friends  

Sleep well and rest in soulful peace my friend 

Ste n Lou.  XX 

Edited October 28, 2021 by Winsford Soul

[Geoffp]

Very sad news. Au Revoir Ste. Top bloke.

[Bazm]

Such sad news, one of lifes real characters, it was a pleasure and honour to have known him. 

[Jumpinjoan]

This is such sad news, he will be missed by so many xx

[Wiganese]

Gutted to hear this, lost so many friends from the scene this year. RIP Smokie “Gone but not forgotten”

[Gillian123]

R.I.P smokey 

[Soulcarp]

Very sad new no more pain smokie my thoughts to family and close friends 

 

 

 

[Sunshine Girl]

We knew this time was going to come but its not made it any easy for some - Rest in peace my lovely friend - you will be sadly missed -

Spoke to Alan this morning - who has been by his side through all this - Respect to you x 

My thoughts are with Smokies family and friend

RIP - sleep well 

love Debbie & Anthony xx

 

[Local]

I never knew Smokie back in the day ,but when I moved to the Midlands in 94 our paths crossed and it soon emerged in conversation that we also shared a passion for Rugby League. He used to tell me about his time living in St Helens, telling me that he had played a few amateur games with Thatto Heath and he was genuinely interested to talk about my days playing with Shevy Sharks.

We always ended up talking about music though and his love for the modern side of things, one of his favourite tunes was Michael Whycoffes "Looking up to You" which he always asked me to play.

I'm pleased to have known one of the scenes biggest characters, a lovely man, a tough man, and above all, an honest man.

RIP my friend, you always made me laugh when ever we met, but today "I'll be Looking up to You" with a tear in my eye.

God Bless x

 

[Geoffp]

52 minutes ago, Local said:

I never knew Smokie back in the day ,but when I moved to the Midlands in 94 our paths crossed and it soon emerged in conversation that we also shared a passion for Rugby League. He used to tell me about his time living in St Helens, telling me that he had played a few amateur games with Thatto Heath and he was genuinely interested to talk about my days playing with Shevy Sharks.

We always ended up talking about music though and his love for the modern side of things, one of his favourite tunes was Michael Whycoffes "Looking up to You" which he always asked me to play.

I'm pleased to have known one of the scenes biggest characters, a lovely man, a tough man, and above all, an honest man.

RIP my friend, you always made me laugh when ever we met, but today "I'll be Looking up to You" with a tear in my eye.

God Bless x

 

 Very true. A tough honest fair man. Great tribute that.

[Torch56]

In February, 1972, during the miners' strike of that year, power cuts of four hours duration were implemented across the country. Because of this, if the power went off at 6, you knew it would come back on at 10. This inconvenience disrupted social life as well as the economy and the Catacombs, in true Blitz spirit, simply kept calm and carried on.

One night I recall a small crowd of us were gathered around the bar area, waiting for 10 o'clock to arrive. Three or four candles had been placed on the counter, and that was the only illumination in the entire club. The corridor and alcoves leading down to the dance floor were in complete darkness. Of course, the sound system was obviously down, there was no heating and it was bitterly cold. The electric pumps needed to provide beer were also out of commission, not that many were interested in pints of Worthington E in those days.

Enter the tour de force that was Smokey. Somebody had a Discatron and a few records which was all Mr Stokes required to illustrate that no mains power was no reason to forestall proceedings, and he took to the floor in his usual style, his long black coat swirling around as Jo Armtead's 'Urge' kept coming. 

Dominic Sandbrook wrote of 1972's power cuts, referencing shortages of matches and candles, of long queues of traffic as traffic lights failed, of Piccadilly Circus being as dark and quiet as a graveyard.

I don't recall any of that, but i do remember the image of Smokey dancing in that big black coat.

R.I.P.

[Chalky]

Terribly sad news, one of the scenes larger than life characters, great bloke.

R.I.P.

[Alison H]

I didn’t know Smokie personally but do remember his presence from many nighters. 

Very sad news

Deepest condolences to his family & close friends.

May Smokie Rest In Peace

Alison x

[Tagtag]

 

The words sound so true:

[DJCog]

I was so very shocked and saddened when Steve Studge told me the news about Steven,I'd had no idea that he was ill.

    I first met him as a 16 year old at The Torch,but only got to know him well at The Casino,after he had moved up to Haydock to be with Julie.

   Always good company and a friend to be relied on  in any situation.

    We spent a lot of time together at Newton Cricket Club modern nights and Morecambe Pier nighters,I was constantly amazed at what he knew and who he knew on the scene.

  He left Haydock and went back to Wolves,times changed and we lost touch,then,while working in Wolverhampton, he walked past me in The West End Club,we spoke  hugged and then he said" I can sort some gear out for the weekend, fancy it?".

  We met quite a lot while I was there,had a great time and I will never forget him RIP Smokey, so long pal,

          COG

[Hooker1951]

On 27/10/2021 at 08:40, Hooker1951 said:

It’s with great sadness I must tell you that Ste died this morning around 12.30 am. He fought to the last, they only gave him 48 hours on Monday last week and he fought and lasted another 8 days. We have lost a true character a lovely happy man who loved his friends loved his music and who could never be replaced and who will never be forgotten, He did tell me a few weeks ago if you missed the first link I put on to let all his friends on and off the Scene that he loved you all and he meant it.  He did have his loved ones with him and his best friend Alan who has really looked after him and been with him through this awful time. It still is so sad even when you knew this day was coming, I’m sure you will join with me in sending love and prayers to Ste’s family and loved ones 

As soon as I find details of his funeral arrangements I will leave them on here.

Fare well my Friend and I will see you again in (Another Place Another Time)

Will Love you Forever

Mick Lyons.

Full Address for Smokey’s Funeral is

St Mary’s church Bushbury lane Bushbury Wolverhampton

postal code WV10 8JP    1pm

The Crematorium Bushbury Wolverhampton

postal code WV10  7JG.    2pm

The Goodyear’s Club for the Wake after Crematorium

KR

Mick Lyons

[Mrmick]

Such sad news.. 

Thoughts and prayers for family and friends.  

Some lovely words in the previous posts.

May you find peace in that big allniter in the sky,

Alas its getting too full now, we have lost too many soulies the last few years 

Mick x 

Edited November 1, 2021 by Greedy Mick

[Souljer6]

On 01/11/2021 at 17:49, Hooker1951 said:

Full Address for Smokey’s Funeral is

St Mary’s church Bushbury lane Bushbury Wolverhampton

postal code WV10 8JP    1pm

The Crematorium Bushbury Wolverhampton

postal code WV10  7JG.    2pm

The Goodyear’s Club for the Wake after Crematorium

KR

Mick Lyons

Yeah, but what day/ date is it?

[Tagtag]

Thursday 25th November.

[Souljer6]

2 hours ago, Tagtag said:

Thursday 25th November.

Many thanks