While
living in Kendal, Derek became friendly with another music
enthusiast, Vincent Smith and the two got together for informal jam
sessions from time to time. Vince also helped Derek to purchase
numerous musical instruments via the internet since Derek was a bit
of a technophobe and avoided anything digital. Vince’s memories of
Derek are recorded below:-
‘’I
knew Derek for about thirty years and it was an honour to be his
friend for all that time. Derek
was a true gentleman and so thoughtful, gentle and kind. We would
discuss our Socialist beliefs for hours on end and then we would play
some guitar together.
Derek
would tell me about some clubs he used to play at in London, rubbing
shoulders with the likes of Bert Jansch and John Renbourn. He
told me he used to play host at a folk club where random people could
turn up and go on stage and play a few songs. He said one cold, wet,
windy night this small American guy approached Derek and asked if
could he do a few songs but Derek said ‘’sorry, but all the
allotted spots are already full’. Derek was completely unaware that
the guy he had just turned away was the one and only Paul Simon.
Derek was not only a guitar
player, he also played mandolin, lute, oboe , recorder, ukelele,
banjo, flute, violin, saxophone, trumpet and bass guitar. Derek would
get up every morning, have breakfast and decide which instrument he
felt like playing that day. Then he would choose what genre of music
to play...classical, baroque, jazz, blues, folk, old standards etc.
and he would play all day.
Derek would ask me to find
instruments for him as he did not have a computer and I helped him
buy some incredible instruments, all the best that money could buy.
Derek also composed many tunes for banjo and guitar and some were
published in BMG (Banjo-Mandolin-Guitar) magazine. Derek just lived
and breathed music. It was his all consuming passion’’.
(Vincent Smith)