In Loving Memory, Stuart Cable

 "And all the friends laid down the flowers, sit on the banks and drink for hours. Talk of the way they saw him last, local boy in the photograph"

This week the world lost a truly talented and wonderful person. Most people know Stuart Cable as the former drummer of Welsh band Stereophonics - some may not even know him at all. To me, personally, I can pretty much pin point our meeting back when I was about 13 as the moment I confirmed my love of rock and alternative music. 

My parents had taken my friends and I to go see Stereophonics at Southampton Guildhall thirteen years ago. My sister - who was around nine at the time - had come with us but had just broken her shoulder so was unable to go into the show. 

We'd gotten there early and had bought some things for them to sign. Stuart spotted us waiting outside and was the first to come down and say hi. He encouraged the rest of the band to come down to meet us and he spent a long time chatting with my friends and family. He signed autographs and took pictures with us all. He even went to the trouble to sort out a pass for my sister to not only come in to the show, but to stand on the side of the stage while the band played (that's the moment my friends and I all wished we'd broken our shoulders!). He bent over backwards for us that day without prompting and made a little girl's day.

I'm sure that if that day he turned out to be aloof and phony like so many famous musicians can be these days I would not be here writing this article in his name, or even writing a music blog at all. If he had not been so good-natured and amicable that day I would never have believed that people in bands were like you and I - down to earth and genuine.

Although he (like so many) had his demons, people everywhere can learn something from a personality like Stuart. It goes a long way to show someone simply that you appreciate them - be it in a band/fan relationship or otherwise. In spite of his past struggles with drugs, it is a testament to his vivacious personality that the remembrance message boards are flooded with messages about his talent, famous smile, his lust for life and genuine enthusiasm. He was not only a talented drummer and great musician but he was genuine, friendly and approachable and his memory will live on in the hearts of all those who were lucky enough to meet him.

After being kicked out of Stereophonics, he turned his life around and was now back on track and happy in his life. Stuart, 40, was even due to play Download Festival this weekend with his band Killing for Company. Please download 'Local Boy in the Photograph' by Stereophonics and get it to UK number one as a tribute to Stuart.