Whitesnake Guitarist Mel Galley Dies at 60

[Zoneboy]

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Mel Galley, the guitarist with the heavy metal band Whitesnake, has died of cancer aged 60.
Friends in the music business have paid tribute to the rock star, who succumbed to cancer of the oesophagus a month before he was scheduled to go on the road again with a new band.

He had announced in February that he was suffering from the disease and was given just weeks to live.

His positive attitude to his illness enabled him to spend his final months saying goodbye to his many friends.


He died at his home in Heath Hayes, Staffordshire, where he had been nursed by his wife Annette.

Galley joined Whitesnake in 1982 after a shake-up of the group by original founder David Coverdale.

They enjoyed a top 10 hit with the album Saints An' Sinners, which inlcluded the single Here I Go Again.

The band headlined the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donnington in 1983.

Earlier this year, the musician, originally from Cannock in the West Midlands, said: "It happens, but I've had a fantastic life. I have been very lucky. I have seen some great bands, and played with many great musicians. I am thankful that I can say a proper goodbye to all the friends I have made, who are now rallying round me."

In March, Chris Evans, the Radio Two disc-jockey, was one of those at the 60th birthday of the musician, who made his name with Whitesnake, Trapeze and Finders Keepers.

Mr Evans said: "He was a fine man, never knowingly besmirched by anyone.

"Not a bad bone in his body, and annoyingly good at tennis. We've lost a good one there."

Galley said a final farewell to his Trapeze co-star Glenn Hughes, who used to play with Deep Purple, a week ago.

Mr Hughes said: "He was my oldest, closest friend, bandmate and brother."

Moody Blues star Justin Hayward, with whom Mel played in The Blue Jays, said: "Mel's quiet, laconic humour and infectious smile brought real warmth into my life.

"His contribution as a musician and friend was immeasurable.

"Our times together are magical memories for me.

"Some people possess the quality of true timelessness, and Mel is one of the few who the years never seemed to change."

Bass player John Lodge, also of the Moody Blues and Blue Jays, said: "From our first recording sessions together, his enthusiasm and his passion shone through, and it was a true pleasure to be part of his life.

"His songwriting and his melodious rock guitar playing will be his legacy. Mel, your music lives on."

The musician's manager Tony Perry said: "Mel was a superb musician and a true friend. "It has been a great pleasure and a wonderful experience to have been involved in his career for so many years.

"His outlook on life and his courage will remain with me forever. I will miss him greatly." Tony's daughter, TV star Suzi Perry, said: "Mel was the kind of person that you just wanted to be around – warm, generous, and very talented. "He owned a wonderful sense of humour, and time spent with him was always fun.

"As a child growing up, he was my rock star hero, and as an adult he was the perfect and coolest godfather.

"Mel was very easy to love, and that's why he will be missed by everyone who came into his life."

[Cactus Jack]

RIP

[Zoneboy]

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Legendary vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) has released the following statement regarding the passing of former TRAPEZE/WHITESNAKE guitarist Mel Galley:

"I am so very sad to report the passing of my oldest friend Mel. He drifted into his golden sleep at 10 PM last night. He is now with his higher power... he has come home.

"I will cherish his memory and all the things that Mel shared with me in his full and rich life... but most of all, he showed me to live like a man. He took my hand as a boy and walked me through my earliest chapters as a young musician....he alone is responsible for my career as a working musician/singer-songwriter.

"Let's all remember Mel with love in our hearts and he wanted you all to know how overcome he was with the global outpouring of love for him... He said to me, 'I had no idea how many people cared and loved me'… he was the man, he was my childhood idol along with Jimi and Eric.

"You are the music.

"I'll see you in the Garden one day and I will recognise you as my brother....."

[catlover79]

[ABlairican Pie]

Sad to hear of his passing, but we had all been prepared for it for the past several months. Nice that he decided to turn his final days into one big party.
That's the way to go!!