Goodbye Old Friend
Our Memories of Mike
On any long journey one meets many friends and sadly, too
little time is spent with special ones before parting. One such friend
was Michael Clive Anthony Sandbrook of Middlesbrough, England. Unfortunately,
he died too young at 61 years after a lengthy battle with cancer. Musicians
develop a special bond through their music and Mick will be remembered
for his camaraderie, generosity, and musicianship by every musician who
shared a stage or studio with him.
We met Mick near the end of our first tour of England
when he offered to drive our equipment van down to London. We kept in touch
over the next year during which time he lined up musicians and studio time
for our Newcastle sessions. He contributed rock solid and inventive bass
lines for that session as well as providing harmony vocals. Two years later
he organized a joint recording session for us at Guardian studios near
Durham. This time the contributing musicians were his band, Desperado,
and again Mick provided bass and backing vocals. Mick and his lovely wife
Margaret generously opened their home to us and our toddler son, Ja-On,
and even lent us their van which took us on trips all over the Isles.
We were so glad that they later were able to visit us
in Canada. Mick played bass with us on our summer gigs. In more recent
times they royally welcomed our son Robin who was backpacking overseas.
In 2007 it was a thrill to renew our friendship with the Sandbrooks, revisit
clubs we had played years ago and to see Mick and his band in action again.
During Mick's three-year battle with cancer, Margaret
kept us up to date with reports on his ordeal. Mick's long battle with
the disease ended on September 23, 2013 -- a sad loss. We'll miss you,
old friend. To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.
