18/06/2022
On Saturday the 18th of June it would have been Jackie Leven’s 72nd birthday. Anyone interested to celebrate meet at his bench in Soho Square, London at midday and perhaps go on for a beer at nearby Nellie Dean’s on Dean Street ( buy your own!). Nothing is formally planned!
(The bench is on the south side edge of the gardens).
I used to be a member of a Facebook page called London Urbanist Oddities (I left because it got too repetitive). I mentioned the Leven bench when someone else posted a photo of the Kirsty MacColl bench with the other one in view in the background. A cousin of Jackie Leven replied who had no idea that it was there.
The page must have agreed with you as London Urbanist Oddities is on pause.
Have a good supathon @Moonidus and whoever joins you. A bit too far to travel for me, Jackie is still sadly missed around these parts, always will be. Next time I`m in the Dirty South I`ll have a sit on that bench and a drink to toast Jackie.
Just stopped getting my chores done for a sandwich and cider and Jackie popped up on my Spotty Daily Mix.
The Sexual Loneliness of Jesus Christ in my ears was a treat. One of my regrets is that I didn’t get into him until they gave away the free CD on Word. I would have loved to have seen him live.
Ps. I used to go to Soho Square a lot back in the day to deposit company money in Barclays Bank, but the trek from Hereford precludes a meet. I hope a few drams are raised in his memory though!
Slainte Jackie!
I’d have joined you if I’d been in that London.
I’ll have an Oban 16 to toast the fellow I think, early in the day though it is.
Slàinte Mhath!
Not long back from Corfu, planned to do a day trip to Paxos to see Jackie’s bench there and maybe grab a tipple in the Taverna he used to frequent. However when catching the hydrofoil to Albania and witnessing the half-cut, cheap wine toting Brit’s abroad piling on to the Paxos ferry, the thought of an hour or two on a small boat with their ilk made me think otherwise.
Instead when we got back to our apartment, played Greek Notebook and raised a glass to the Big Man. Will be making a rare visit to that London soon, may well take a trip to this bench and remember.
Can’t do on 18th as will be at Black Deer but in London the following week so will take time to visit – his music has given me much pleasure. I had a ticket to see him in Brum around the time that he passed – the concert was cancelled for obvious reasons.
Hi @Bogart
I have never been to Paxos but I read that the bench there had been vandalised. I hope that it has now been restored.
@moonidus Yes it had been vandalised, but the good folk of Paxos have taken it upon themselves to repair/fix/replace, below is a message sent from a member of the Paxos community, (it’s been translated from the Greek)
The bench in loving memory of Jackie Leven, guitarist and songwriter, designed and constructed by Sam Khaleq and paid by Deborah Greenwood, Jackie Levin’s widow, standing by the entrance of the Old Customs House in Loggos for years every summer, suddenly vanished early November 2021. A Gaios fisherman found the back on some rocks outside Gaios coast. Whoever vandalized the bench and threw it to sea has insulted Levin’s memory, his widow’s offer to Loggos people and all Paxiots.
The bench is being reconstructed and will be paid by Paxiots who know what honor and dignity mean
Why Soho Square? I’m sure you know, but a good reason to play the song:
From an interview with Ian Rankin In todays Times…..
“Underrated
I wish more people knew the music of the late, lamented Jackie Leven, a songwriter who matched great lyrics to a rich voice and consummate guitar-playing. Much of his recorded output is not available, which is a sin. A “greatest misses” album, Straight Outta Caledonia, was released recently and I’m hoping music-lovers will take note.’