Another blue gone too soon | RIP Barry James

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

I’m not on social media for one reason or another but the news has left a real sadness here too mate, Barry was such a lovely sociable person, even as a little kid, he’d chat to anybody, young, old, and anyone in between, and always with a smile and sunshine, funny thing is, which sums him up perfectly, that beating he took on that hill, when he got back to us (me and his mate Terry) he just started laughing and said “I got my hat back though”, always saw the positives Barry.

Thanks for letting us know ‘keeping the faith’, if you get to know any funeral details (if it’s an open thing) please drop me a PM or something, cheers.

I will do. My sister should be able to find out as she is still in the music scene in Manchester. I'll probably post the day and place when I hear by bumping this post up to the top of bluemoon if that's OK. Still shocked how a guy of 60 could pass. He was so well liked by everyone he met.

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

I met him through a mate who knows his daughter and seen him play several times in Didsbury, a sound bloke and great musician and showman. It's very sad to hear of his passing.

RIP Barry.

Great all these comments about a genuinely lovely and talented person.

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

I've found some stuff of Barry, this looks like when he was ill, still supporting the Blues and still with that great big smile.

Cracking photos these mate well done you.

 

[Sky Blue Thinking]

He was indeed mate. I was the drummer for about 8 years. Chris is a great guy. Brilliant musician. Plays banjo, guitar, drums and sings amongst other things. His family would come to St. Wilfreds in Hulme/moss side for Irish music lessons in the 70's. If you ever see Chris ask him is he langers? He'll roar with laughter.

Edit; There were a lot of families from round Whitefield, Cheetham Hill area who came to St. Wilfreds and who were the founders of the cheetham Hill Irish Centre on queen's Road that was a huge success from day one. I'm sure it will still be there.

Original Irish Centre was knocked down a few years ago and a new one built further up Queens Road towards Rochdale Road, but think they are struggling financially. Saw Toss The Feathers many times in the original Irish Centre early 90s, had some great nights.

 

[City of Troy]

Sad news

RIP blue

 

[paulchapo]

Rest in Peace Blue.

I`ve never met him but you but he sounds like like someone I would have like to have met.

You would if you could bottle great human being Barry was it..

 

[paulchapo]

Just looked at his facebook and glad I did, as a huge love of Thin Lizzy his version of the Boys are back in town is outstanding.

RIP Barry.

He appeared on the voice ten years ago but the chairs never turned around, that video is on his Facebook too. He still smiled throughout and the audience loved him, like all audiences did. His performance in the hospice broke me. Such bravery and it was as beautiful as sad.

 

[MCFC Wirral]

RIP Blue. Someone who clearly loved to entertain and put a smile on people’s faces.

 

[paulchapo]

Rocking it ten years ago and what it was about for him in the second pic, City and music.

 

[Dirty Harry]

I will do. My sister should be able to find out as she is still in the music scene in Manchester. I'll probably post the day and place when I hear by bumping this post up to the top of bluemoon if that's OK. Still shocked how a guy of 60 could pass. He was so well liked by everyone he met.

Thanks mate, I’m away for 2 weeks from Sunday unfortunately so hopefully (for my sake) it’s not in that time.

 

[The Lightbowne Cowboy]

RIP Blue. And a very talented blue by the sound of it.

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

Thanks mate, I’m away for 2 weeks from Sunday unfortunately so hopefully (for my sake) it’s not in that time.

As soon as I know I'll post it...my Mum said she'd let me know.

 

[Mr Ed (The Stables)]

RIP Blue. May perpetual light shine upon you, and may God Bless you.

 

[paulchapo]

RIP Blue. And a very talented blue by the sound of it.

Incredible musician. He'd also become the lead singer for Sad Cafe after Paul's death.

 

[normskih]

I knew Barry very well. From school days and when our families became closer through a relationship. I last saw Barry about three months ago, he was his usual chirpy self and was always positive thinking even though he was facing a battle. I always saw him with a smile on his face. God bless you sweet, kind man, the world is a sadder place without you around.

 

[bluegaz13]

I used to see him in a band at O'Neils on a Thursday in the early 2000's then saw him sing in the Piano Bar in Puerto Banus ( Bobby Davro and Des O'Connor and Max Clifford were also in that night)

I didn't know him personally but always enjoyed him performing....seemed to remember in O'Neils he would always sing Brown Eyed Girl

 

[Bluesince1979]

RIP

My dad grew up in woodhouse park and as a kid he was pals with dougie and barry james. Think there was another brother david? Hairdresser from cheadle hulme?
Also pals with alan erasmus.

As you can imagine growing up in post war wythy there werent many black lads and
dave james always said they were the only black kids in wythenshawe!

My dad met alan at school and promptly took him home to meet his mum (my nanna) who was horrified At first but soon fell in love with what she said was the biggest smile she had ever seen :)

 

[The Lightbowne Cowboy]

Incredible musician. He'd also become the lead singer for Sad Cafe after Paul's death.

I never knew that Chapo. So he took over from another top blue then. RIP

 

[paulchapo]

I used to see him in a band at O'Neils on a Thursday in the early 2000's then saw him sing in the Piano Bar in Puerto Banus ( Bobby Davro and Des O'Connor and Max Clifford were also in that night)

I didn't know him personally but always enjoyed him performing....seemed to remember in O'Neils he would always sing Brown Eyed Girl

Yes he sang at Squires across the road as well. Brown eyed girl yes. I was in there all the time.

 

[normskih]

Incredible musician. He'd also become the lead singer for Sad Cafe after Paul's death.

He did, you’re quite right.