News has reached 4BR of the passing of a true Man O’ Brass — Robert (Bob) Dean, on February 16th. His death came just eleven days after his 80th birthday.

Condolences from all over the banding world have been sent to his wife Hilda, daughter Sandra, son, Robbie and Bob’s extended family.

Once in a lifetime

Composer Phil Lawrence told 4BR: "You meet such a man once in a lifetime — and I first met Bob as a peripatetic instructor at my school, over 40 years ago.

Like thousands of others he came into contact with, he became one of the most influential brass teachers in the North West (Liverpool) from the late 1960’s until he died: He provided 45 years of inspirational teaching."

Cornet

Bob started playing the cornet in 1939, via his father (also Robert) who played in the small but famous pre-War, Sailors Chapel Band in Liverpool’s Dingle area. Bob became a cornet player for life.

He served his working time as an electrical engineer and stayed with the Chapel Band until he joined the Liverpool Docks based Camel Laird in 1962 on flugel.

Scott tribute

There he met James Scott, who became a lifelong friend, and who added his own tribute as follows: "Bob would play where ever he was needed — and even played tenor horn on various occasions. I left in 1968 to join Brighouse, but Bob stayed until 1970 when they closed the band.

If I have to say one thing about him, it is that I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone as enthusiastic about brass bands and playing in them as he was."

Inspired

Bob later took up a teaching post in Liverpool, which he kept, eventually becoming Head of Brass, until his retirement in 1998.

Phil Lawrence added: "It was in 1970 that I met Bob dressed in a Foden’s walking out uniform. He was now a peripatetic teacher and had just joined the band where he would spend many happy years under the baton of those like Harry Mortimer and his siblings, as well as recording Men ’O Brass at the Albert Hall and touring the UK."

Teach

Bob eventually took up the baton with the British Rail Edge Hill Band in 1974/5 (besides his beloved Sailors Chapel Band) and left Foden’s.

Phil Lawrence continues: "It was there he was able to teach his pupils and others from the defunct Laird’s Band. Bob had many, many pupils – thousands over the years, who he inspired to enjoy a real banding life. I was fortunate to be one."

He added: "They all became very close, almost a family of pupils that grew up and worked with him – many of whom helped to make his 80th birthday such a great occasion, such as Louise Hough, Joan Burke, Julie Baker, Chris Humphreys, Morris Fogg and myself. Hundreds more owe him so much."

Radio presenter

As a player, Bob had a silver tongue, but he certainly had a gold one when he landed a Radio Merseyside show in 1977 called ‘Sounds of Brass’ which he hosted until 1991.

It became very popular in the North West and on many occasions Bob would present from the National Finals at the Albert Hall.

Wonderful touch

Phil continued: "He had a wonderful touch and appreciation of the radio medium – helped by his wonderfully relaxed style and smooth, friendly charismatic voice.

He never really retired as such, but he did retire from his job in 1998 – although he continued to teach privately – a source of musical inspiration to countless more pupils."

Birthday celebration

On his 80th birthday a large group of friends took him for a meal where he was delighted to be surprised by an entire brass band entering the restaurant led by Louise Hough, with Joan Burke and the Formby Band playing ‘Congratulations’.

Two days later, a further surprise saw Bob and his family taken to hear Black Dyke in concert at St Helens, where his former pupils had requested Director of Music, Dr Nicholas Childs to read out birthday congratulations.

By the time all of Bob’s first generation pupils have retired, his influence will have permeated to perhaps hundreds of thousands of brass band players. That can be no finer tributePhil Lawrence

No ordinary life

Phil Lawrence added: "The band played my cornet feature, ‘Zergunnerweissen’. I knew for a brief time I must have been in his thoughts."

"Bob’s was not an ordinary life," Phil concluded.

"His inspirational teaching was ‘old school’ as they may say today — but he had such a presence that automatically commanded respect.

He also invented the band bench mark saying: “If the chair is empty, there better be a death certificate on it as that’s the only excuse not to be at rehearsal!”

By the time all of Bob’s first generation pupils have retired, his influence will have permeated to perhaps hundreds of thousands of brass band players.

That can be no finer tribute."

Service details:
No flowers. Donations to Sailors Chapel Band

Tuesday 26th February
Springwood Crematorium
Springwood Avenue
Aigburth
Liverpool
L25 7UN.

Service of Thanksgiving:
Rosemary Chapel
12.30pm
1/1.30pm Celebration of Life
Bridge Chapel
Heath Rd
Liverpool
L18 9TB