Very sad news - we've lost an amazing singer-songwriter.  I'm so glad I got to see him play with Fred and the few times he played here in recent years solo.  He'll be missed.

 http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=ec373f59-396f-4e9d-98ea-5de74f830a0d&k=23570

 

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"Money talks and bullsh*t walks into the sea -they pick and choose the needy to be brave and free" - Malcolm Holcombe ("I’d Rather Have a House"- Gamblin’ House 2008)

Oh no! That was quite unexpected...he was only 56? Yikes. Gone much too soon.

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"There's the shirt that I like!"

"It was nice singing with you this evening."

wow. hard to believe.  I thought he was on the road to recovery after the heart attack last year.  way too young.  How tragic.  Fred Eaglesmith's band just won't be the same with him permanently gone.  and I'm so glad we got to see those solo shows of his in Hamilton a couple of years back.

I know he wasn't from here, but there was a stong Hamilton connection (I believe some of his songs were composed here, including Blackie & the Rodeo King which was written at the old Rebecca Street bus station about a couple of people he shared the back seat of a bus with on his way to town from London).  I hope there is some kind of tribute locally in his honour.

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"Money talks and bullsh*t walks into the sea -they pick and choose the needy to be brave and free" - Malcolm Holcombe ("I’d Rather Have a House"- Gamblin’ House 2008)

That is a sad loss. I loved his music.  I'll always remember the time I phoned CFNY in the old days when Pete and Gates were DJ's and they asked if I'd like to hear something.   I said how about some Willie P. Bennett and they burst out laughing and said "well, no, but how about some European dance music instead".  Cracked me up. 

I will miss Willie P alot. I just saw him 3 weeks ago in Ottawa. He put on a GREAT show.I am still in shock

RIP WILLIE             Briam 

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Go out and see live music

I hope so too, Fran.  There would certainly be enough support from Hamilton area musicians, including his girlfriend Linda Duemo.