Brian Wilson – d. June 11th 2025

Followed a trail of footprints along the
beach today. I could hear music far out
in the depths; a siren with hair of gold,
calling me to follow to a place that few
could ever go, not waving but singing.

Read about Brian Wilson here

Sly Stone – d. June 9th 2025

Who perfected the funk? I think I know;
a stoned prince high on his own supply
of uncut soul, wearing euphoria as a robe.
Here you come with mud in your veins;
thank you (falettinme dance again).

Read about Sly Stone here

Frederick Forsyth – d. June 9th 2025

I found this poem in a dead man’s papers
beside a photo of my credulous teenage alias,
too young to uncover your conspiracy of word
and shadow. I filed it away, marking it Eyes Only,
not suspecting those eyes would be mine.

Read about Frederick Forsyth here

Prentis Hancock – d. May 30th 2025

I was an Alpha child too, raised
in the orbit of a fading satellite,
sometimes aligning with my own.
I grow more distant every year,
a displaced moon spinning away
in the empty and eternal dark. 

Read about Prentis Hancock here

Loretta Swit – d. May 30th 2025

I heard you served with the 4077th,
an instrument of sanity in the madness
of operations gone wrong, in a show
we would like to forget but cannot,
a tragedy wearing comedy’s scrubs.

Read about Loretta Swit here

Alan Yentob – d. May 24th 2025

I came to the gallery of glass,
pressed my face against the pane
to glimpse art and word, a strain
of song. A man of easy gravitas
said I curate what genius knows:
that an open mind is hard to close. 

Read about Alan Yentob here

Arthur Hamilton – d. May 20th 2025

We write for the lonely, for those
who cry the whole night through,
who see only black where others
see purple and orange and blue.
The rainbow drowns in that river
we cried to bring a song to you.

Read about Arthur Hamilton here

Michael B. Tretow - d. May 20th 2025

I heard unfashionable sounds
of youth - European doggerel.
Now I hear through your ears;
the joy of satin and sunshine,
the anguish of love gone cold,
the rustle of glitter falling on
the dancefloor of your dreams.

Read about Michael B. Tretow here

Barry Fantoni – d. May 20th 2025

So, farewell then E. J. Thribb.
‘So, farewell then’, that was your
catchphrase. Not very catchy,
though Keith’s mum liked it,
as did all your readers, who now
will not know when someone
has died. 

Read about Barry Fantoni here

George Wendt – d. May 20th 2025

What are you having, Norm?
The worst day. Pour me a beer.
What’s the story, Norm?
Man orders beer. Repeat.
What’s going down, Norm?
We are. Six feet under.

Read about George Wendt here

Brian Glanville – d. May 16th 2025

When I had no poetry I learned it
from you; the game expressed
as form and image, its tactical
shifts like the turn of a sonnet,
its canon of artists and artisans
the ink of the pitch and the page.

Read about Brian Glanville here

Junior Byles – d. May 15th 2025

Two roads before you, Rasta:
to the left a twilit path, clouded
by dub and collie weed; right,
the road to consciousness, the
sweet harvest of your own voice.
Whichever you choose, both end here. 

Read about Junior Byles here

Joe Don Baker – d. May 7th 2025

Playing ambiguity is hard;
it helps to have a face like
a side of bacon, a voice to
silence any room, a tough-guy
smile delivering a lethal dose
to anyone within ten yards.

Read about Joe Don Baker here

Mike Peters – d. April 29th 2025

If it’s true that all art is theft
it’s smart to steal from the best:
Strummer’s stance, polemic,
power chords from punk’s cadaver,
hair by Bono, voice by Rod, but
fire, flesh and fight by dragons.

Read about Mike Peters here

Philip Lowrie – d. April 25th 2025

You and I grew up in the rain,
in the conurbation of pathos
and humdrum, you playing your
scenes like they were my own
memories, those old friends
I have learned never to trust.

Read about Philip Lowrie here

***This was the 1000th Otwituary***

Roy Thomas Baker – d. April 12th 2025

Yes, most of life is lo-fi; one take,
no effects, no overdubs, but still,
there are days where everything
sounds like you intended: 48-track,
big sound, no bum notes, producer
saying Great, I think that’s the one.

Read about Roy Thomas Baker here

David Thomas – d. April 23rd 2025

This was how we danced back then:
as if rehearsing the apocalypse,
arms flailing like we didn’t know if this
was punk or bebop, and all serenaded
by a man talking not to us but himself.

Read about David Thomas here

Barry Hoban – d. April 19th 2025

I saw a centaur on the road,
a mythical beast, half-man,
half-bike, from an age of
steel frames and iron men,
falling off the pace, swallowed
by the broom wagon of time.

Read about Barry Hoban here

 

Clodagh Rodgers – d. April 18th 2025

I fell across a hideaway
in a borderless continent,
saw you there in hot pants
and chiffon, swinging
and shaking, bouncing up
from the nostalgia slot
whenever love knocked.

Read about Clodagh Rodgers

Colin Berry – d. April 16th 2025

Too many stations on the dial:
Strasbourg, Stockholm, Hilversum.
I trawl exotic ether for the comfort,
of a friendly ident. Then, a voice
like the top of the milk, telling me
who and where I am: London calling. 

Read about Colin Berry here