Kevin Patrick Westlake

5th March 1947-- 30th September 2004.
R.I.P.
_________________

It’s the 29th of October 2004 as I write this and I feel that I have to mark the untimely death of my friend and colleague Kevin Westlake. It was a huge shock even though he had been ill for quite some time.

He is, without doubt, one of my favourite musicians and composers/performers.
Totally underestimated and appreciated by the business but, nevertheless, he leaves a lifetime of music behind that, in the fullness of time, will mark him as one of the few, truly original, musicians, poets and artists of my generation.

He is, and will remain, deeply and sadly missed by all who knew him.
_________________



I'm afraid I've some sad news to report. Kevin Westlake has died,

Kevin was Slim Chance's founding member and co-writer of Ronnie's
biggest "solo" hit "How Come", he was also present at the formation
of the Faces . He'd had a massive heart attack on Wednesday night
and died the following afternoon never regaining consciousness.

Kevin was a fine musician whose career never reached the heights it
should have due to ill health for many years, however he did manage
to keep his chops up when he could.

He started his music career as a drummer in Wales in the early 60's
being a stalwart of a fine local scene that also included Dave
Edmonds,Andy Fairweather Lowe and many others. On moving to London
he then became a member of R & B band "Johnny Be Great and the
Quatations" . Again many fine musicians passed through this band
including Kevin's old flatmate Rockpile guitarist "Billy Bremner". A
highlight of the Quotation years was backing Little Richard on a
European tour, which in Kevin's words was "a great education".

Kevin then moved on to legendary psychedelic band "The Blossom Toes"
who also counted Slim Chance bass player Brian Belshaw as a member.
Around this time Kevin switched to guitar and ended up working with
Californian guitarist Leigh Stevens from Blue Cheer. Stevens plus
Kevin and drummer Mickey Waller then tried to form a band with
Ronnie Wood and it was during one of their rehearsals that Woody
made the fateful call to Ronnie Lane inviting him to join them in a
jam at the Stones rehearsal Space in Bermondsey.

In fact Kevin was playing bass the day Lane turned up and happily
stood aside to let him play with Woody for the first time. Kevin
told us that although things weren't cooking with that particular
line up ,there was clearly something special happening between the 2
Ronnie's and it was no surprise to him that they then carried on
working with Mac and Kenney Jones instead.

Kevin was establishing himself as a fine songwriter and stayed in
touch with Ronnie eventually writing "How Come" with him in the
kitchen at Mick Jagger's "Stargroves" studios during a break in a
Faces rehearsal. When Ronnie eventually jumped ship, Kevin was the
first recruit to his new band, Slim Chance ,he remained a member for
the "Anymore for Anymore" sessions in Wales and for the duration of
the legendary Passing Show as well.

Kevin went on to produce a splendid solo album called "Stars Fade in
Hotel Rooms" using the same musicians who'd played in the first line
up of Slim Chance. Sadly Kevin developed diabetes around this time
and had to reassess his lifestyle needing routine instead of the
hectic life of a professional musician.

I met Kevin a few years ago after contacting him about an interview
for the forthcoming Ronnie Lane documentary "The Passing Show", he
was a complete gent who showed great patience while we were trying
to arrange it. We eventually filmed him at his house a couple of
years ago and he was engaging, witty and proved to have a great
memory as well.

Our condolences go out to his wife Helen