I believe there are one or two folks on here who enjoy the delightful racket of Cardiacs, but who may not have heard that the mighty Tim Smith was recently awarded an honorary Doctor of Music by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. This news really made my week, particularly considering the dreadful ongoing health problems which Tim continues to experience following complications arising from his heart attack in 2008. Below is the YouTube video of the relevant part of the degree ceremony. It includes a terrific short film about Tim, and a beautiful heartfelt acceptance by his brother Jim. I think I felt something in my eye.
Doctor Tim Smith!
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Saw them perform many times in the eighties. Some the best gigs I have ever experienced. Thanks for linking and for making me cry like a baby in my delicate Sunday evening state.
To my frustration, I only “discovered” them this year, many years too late, but I’ve pretty much handed my bank account to the Alphabet Business Concern in order to gorge on their entire back catalogue. I particularly love the “…Mare’s Nest” DVD. Latecomer though I am, Jim’s “Robinson Crusoe” memory had me blubbing. Needless to say, I envy your having seen them perform.
Bloody wonderful news. And yes, I bawled like a baby too. Tim Smith, bloomin’ genius! Glad someone else recognises it. Thanks PV x
My Goodness. How wonderful. I was a blubbering mess. I missed Cardiacs all together in the 80’s and 90’s until I heard “Sing To God” on the “freak zone”. I immediately turned into a crazed evangelist, stopping strangers in the street saying “listen to this – its f**kin’ genius”. I began to save my pennies to see them live in England and then Tim had his heart attack and it was over. One of the few bands that just got better and better, and one of the few times Peel was dead wrong. Oddly considering how similar they are to the The Fall, not musically but in the pursuit of a singular vision.