Dave Thorley

Message on behalf of Steve Whittle.

His music speaks for itself, I knew the man personally, and its been my privilege to regard him as a friend, for the last 25 years.

I have spoken to his daughter Patrice and offered my condolances on behalf of everyone involved in Soul music in the UK.

The family appreciate the high regard he was held in, in the UK, and its a comfort to them knowing that everyone is thinking about him at this time.

The funeral is Monday 15 Sept in Detroil 11am local time

Steve Whittle.

Like Steve I have spoken to the family, they are happy for me to give out his address if anyone would like to send a card etc. They are very touched by the response from the U.K. and have been recieving calls all day. They would like to thank everyone for the love they have shown.

The Wylie Family

18493 Sorrento

Detroit

48235

U.S.A.

Dave

Reading these post marks out several things. One, what an important figure he was to the UK soul scene over so many years. Secondly, that he was such a nice guy, personnally know to many and that he touched so many people as a person. Lastly, how the world has shrunk, in many ways our scene and the people that made the music have become one. News, good or bad travels around the world in a matter of hours.

He loved the UK soul scene, would always ask about many people in the UK and tell me to send on his reguards to them, every time we spoke. In reverse I would often be asked by people here to take something over for him or get a record signed. Last time I traveled there, Gilly asked if I would take over a bottle of his favorite hooch for him, this just made Richard's week. We spoke about the UK, he knew then he would never be well enough to return, but still longed to be back here to see old friends and entertain the people that kept his music alive. His happy smiling face was always a joy to see and his hospitality fantastic, "have a look in that cupboard dave, I think there maybe some records there", "Go have a look in the basement and see what you can find". There are so many stories to tell about this man, but here is just one he told me.

When John Anderson, first went round his house and pulled out a bunch of records, richard said "How much are you going to give me for them". When John told him that he would give him $$$$, richard said "Your kidding, right. I've been giving them to my kids so they can play frisbee out in the streets with them"

So although many have written about the joy he gave to them here, for this man at least the thanks was returned. Keep on putting up your comments and thoughts and I will let the family see them.