A Terrible Loss For Our Community

[Jim Besser]

It grieves me deeply to report that one of the finest concertina players in the world -- a longtime cnet participant and the consummate Morris man -- has died.

 

Nick "Big Nick" Robertshaw was a fixture of the American Morris scene for years with his amazingly skilled and inventive playing on the Jeffries Duet and his outsized personality, not to mention his wonderful singing. Nick died of a heart attack over the weekend while in San Francisco.

 

This is a huge loss to the concertina community, as well as the Foggy Bottom Morris Men, whose collective personality was largely shaped by Nick's. I spent many hours trying to understand the nuances of Nick's playing, but know I only scratched the surface. Among concertina players he was a true giant, as remarkable as that powerful, battered Jeffries he played.

 

(Graphic ©2000, William L. Brown, www.wmlbrown.com, use with permission only, please)

 

 

 

Edited October 30, 2007 by Jim Besser

[m3838]

It grieves me deeply to report that one of the finest concertina players in the world, cnet participant and the consummate Morris man,has died.

 

Nick "Big Nick" Robertshaw was a fixture of the American Morris scene for years with his amazingly skilled and inventive playing on the Jeffries Duet and his outsized personality. Nick died of a heart attack over the weekend while in San Francisco.

 

This is a huge loss to the concertina community, as well as the Foggy Bottom Morris Men, whose collective personality was largely shaped by Nick's.

 

My condolences to everyone personally involved.

His jorney is over.

It is becoming very sobering event. You thought you were in second line of trenches, and suddenly realize: you in the first one.

Heart attack on weekend, while in San Francisco... Not bad. What would be my bullet like?

I guess I'm getting older finally, on that same weekend I took my 6 year old to the playground, and just seen all the kids playing did things to me.

Two boys climbed into the lifeboat (center piece of the playgound), where I was sitting, and questioned whether I belonged to the boat. I said I'm the captain of the boat, so they enquired where's my flag then? Hmm. I had to scramble a flag out of a twig and dry leaf. The kids ran off and returned each with a "flag".

Don't forget your flags, men.

[Alan Day]

It grieves me deeply to report that one of the finest concertina players in the world -- a longtime cnet participant and the consummate Morris man -- has died.

 

Nick "Big Nick" Robertshaw was a fixture of the American Morris scene for years with his amazingly skilled and inventive playing on the Jeffries Duet and his outsized personality, not to mention his wonderful singing. Nick died of a heart attack over the weekend while in San Francisco.

 

This is a huge loss to the concertina community, as well as the Foggy Bottom Morris Men, whose collective personality was largely shaped by Nick's.

I am very sorry to read this.I contacted Nick regarding Duet International , after various recommendationas regarding his playing and he was very excited about being asked and had big plans for the future. I understand that he was a one off to those who new him and these people are a painfull lost to those who are left behind.

With any luck someone will have some recordings of Nick's playing and he can be remembered for his playing for years to come.

Al

[Robin Harrison]

................so sorry to hear it.

There should be more Big Nicks in this world.

Robin

[Paul Read]

Nick was a big personality and a great talent. I've met him a number of times at morris events over the years and his rendition of "Whiter Shade of Pale" on the Jeffries anglo was stunning. He will be sadly missed.

Edited October 31, 2007 by Paul Read

[Chris Timson]

This is one of those bad bits of news that is flashing around the world. When I turned on my computer this morning it was to get an email from someone I didn't think was connected at all with concertinas but who had obviously been touched by Big Nick. I was lucky enough to have met him a couple of times, and he contributed some duet keyboard charts to the Concertina FAQ.

 

The only thing I can really think to say is bugger! Sorry.

 

Chris

[David Barnert]

Sad news, indeed. Thank you for the news, Jim.

 

I see that announcements appear on the Morris Dance Discussion List and at mudcat.org as well.

 

Big Nick's immensely useful "Concertina Spotters' Guide" web pages are preserved at Bob Tedrow's site although the original location at paraglyph.com and the "About the author" link to a page on clark.net do not seem to work. Similarly, links from concertina.com to Nick's pages no longer operate.

[Jim V]

Thanks to all who have written about Nick. It has been gratifying to know how many people he touched.

 

Nick Robertshaw's friends and family would very much like your thoughts, memories, photos, videos, or recordings of Nick.

 

Please send them using any of the following:

 

email: RememberBigNick@gmail.com

 

wiki: http://rememberbignick.pbwiki.com/

This is a collaborative space to share stories, songs, pictures and

memories of Nick. To edit a page simply click "edit" and enter the wiki

password - morris - and your name and email address.

 

photobucket: http://photobucket.com/login (Username: NickRobertshaw_photo ; password: friends)

 

People have posted some of Nick's songs and a couple of clips of his playing on the wiki. You'll find some of his opinions about concertinas and music expressed in his postings to the Morris Dance Discussion List, also included on the wiki.

 

Jim Voorhees

[Alan Day]

Thanks to all who have written about Nick. It has been gratifying to know how many people he touched.

 

Nick Robertshaw's friends and family would very much like your thoughts, memories, photos, videos, or recordings of Nick.

 

Please send them using any of the following:

 

email: RememberBigNick@gmail.com

 

wiki: http://rememberbignick.pbwiki.com/

This is a collaborative space to share stories, songs, pictures and

memories of Nick. To edit a page simply click "edit" and enter the wiki

password - morris - and your name and email address.

 

photobucket: http://photobucket.com/login (Username: NickRobertshaw_photo ; password: friends)

 

People have posted some of Nick's songs and a couple of clips of his playing on the wiki. You'll find some of his opinions about concertinas and music expressed in his postings to the Morris Dance Discussion List, also included on the wiki.

 

 

Jim Voorhees

 

I have followed the progress of this site and much of the information regarding the fitting tribute to Nick. In just a short while,Photographs,Stories,Nick's Jeffries Duet playing and singing are now available for all to enjoy.This is a fitting tribute to the man by his wonderful friends ,who are just as big in heart.

Thursday will be a sad occassion for all concerned ,but he could not have a better group of friends to wish him farewell.

My hat is off to you all.

Al