BRIAN COOKMAN – RENAISSANCE MAN

I can’t remember the first time Brain Cookman came into my life. Somehow I woke up one morning and he was there. But I treasured his companionship, his humour and – oh, all right then, his musicianship.

I had the great honour to represent Brian through my management company for some years. By then he had been through the music mill once, come out the other side a bit bruised but wiser and I think the fact that I never had contracts with any of my artists – just a handshake on trust – was one of the reasons he let me ‘pimp’ for him.

One of Brain’s great strengths, as a natural teacher and communicator, was his innate ability to read an audience and, without them ever realising it, guiding them down his chosen path.

There was many a time I was cast in the role of producer or stage manager for some kind of festival or event and, without fail, it would be the Mighty Cookman on whom I would call on as MC. Not only would he always win an audience over but I knew he was good for my personal therapy. As the event unfolded and my stress level would inevitably rise, I knew I could rely on a large grin and a gentle, but humorous word to level me out and remind me of why we were all there. He always put the audience first and was one of the most natural entertainers I ever worked with.

I was always full of admiration of someone who could extend his talent to helping create one of the seminal rock magazines of all time in Rolling Stone, while championing the tradition of fertility dances in the Fens.

Probably as close to a Renaissance Man as most of us will meet.

Molly on Dear Boy, Molly on.

Kevin Wyatt-Lown