Wednesday, January 12, 2022

ITP V.022 ONLY ONE PER COFFIN: R.I.P. BURKE SHELLEY (BASSIST-VOCALIST OF BUDGIE)


 


BURKE SHELLEY, bassist vocalist of legendary Welsh hard rock warriors BUDGIE passed away 1/10/2022 at 71. 


The music of BUDGIE has been covered by hard rock and metal bands METALLICA, SCORPIONS, IRON MAIDEN and VAN HALEN. 

BUDGIE wrote classic early metal songs "BREADFAN" and "CRASH COURSE TO BRAIN SURGERY". 

 FROM ALA SHELLEY (BURKE'S DAUGHTER): 

It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my father, John Burke Shelley. He passed away this evening in his sleep at Heath Hospital in Cardiff, his birth town. He was 71 years old.
Please respect the family during this time.
With love,
His four children: Ela, Osian, Dimitri and Nathaniel.

 

FROM OPETH: 

I almost choked on my coffee this morning when I read that one of my idols, the great Burke Shelley of Budgie had passed away. What a terrible loss! Most people know Budgie as the band that Metallica covered (”Breadfan”, ”Crash course in brain surgery”) ages ago. They remained underdogs in the scene even if they’re there right in the beginning of the creation of hard rock/heavy metal music. I think Burke was one of those guys who was quite uncomfortable with the heavy metal tag, but it’s undeniable that they were instrumental in bringing it to the masses. I stumbled upon them in the 80’s. A friend of mine (thank you Stefan!) played me ”Bandoiler” from 1975. It wasn’t the heavy side of their music that sucked me in, but rather the gentle side. Songs like ”Slipaway” are beautiful. And the majestic ”Napoleon Bona-Part 1 & 2” showcased dynamics that a lot of their peers simply didn’t have. Since then I have rather impressive Budgie section. Their softer side remains my favorite part of their music. ”Everything in my heart”, ”You and I”, ”Make me happy”, ”Young is a world” and so on. Burke had a jazzy quality to his voice as well as the ability to scream like the best of them. I think he was a big fan of Paul McCartney, or at least that’s what I hear. We recorded 2 albums at the Rockfield studio in Monmouth/Wales, which was kind of the go-to studio for Budgie. I remember waiting for them to drop by, but they never did. Why would they? Childish dreams on my behalf. So I've never met them unfortunately. I did however manage to see them live twice, and they’re fantastic! Thank you Burke, for all your fantastic music! And our sincere condolences to the Shelley family as well as to the remaining band members, past and present. - Mikael

 

FROM RAVEN: 

 

"A very sad day... Burke Shelley of Budgie has passed away. Budgie were such a huge influence on us and so many other bands...we got to play with them a few times and a nicer guy you could not hope to meet. Condolences to his family and band mates."
John Gallagher Raven
 
FROM KING DIAMOND: 
 
Sad news that one of my true heroes, Burke Shelley, has left us. I had the extreme pleasure to meet in person, Burke Shelley and Tony Bourge of Budgie, in Copenhagen Denmark, December 1975 during the “Bandolier” tour. They gave me after the show a promo postcard of theirs which I asked them to sign, and which is still one of my most prized music related possessions. Budgie has always played on my stereo, and that’s not going to change.
King Diamond
 
FROM SOUNDGARDEN: 
We are so sad to learn of the passing of Burke Shelley, the founding vocalist, bassist, keyboardist and songwriter for the influential and heavy UK rock band, Budgie. Budgie were early pioneers of blues based metallic rock, and were contemporaries of Black Sabbath. They never achieved the same degree of notoriety and success in the United States, but amongst rock musicians they were revered. They made their impression upon Soundgarden who covered their song, “Homicidal Suicidal” for the Friday Rock Show BBC sessions in 1992. This track is included on 2014’s Echo of Miles: Scattered Tracks Across the Path.
Burke Shelley was 71 years old.
Peace eternal Burke; you will be missed. XOSG
FROM DAVE MUSTAINE (MEGADETH): 
 
 
 
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l- 

 

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-R.I.P. 

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