"I want to pay tribute to a Sheffield legend and a dear friend.....sadly Martin Lilleker passed away New Year's Eve,our mutual friend....and Martins sometime writing partner John Firminger told me the sad news.He'd been fighting dementia for a long time and finally lost his battle.....Martin was a hardcore and uncompromising supporter of Sheffield bands and artists and deserves to be remembered with great respect and much fondness.....he supported everything I've ever done from the earliest music I made with Treebound story right up to the time he couldn't write anymore. He was an encyclopaedia of musical knowledge that he shared with a passion and zeal,he loved new music and constantly sought it out with an open mind. We shared a mutual love of Captain Beefheart and esoteric blues music amongst many other bands and artists. He was a lovely gentle giant who loved a laugh as well as serious conversation , I was lucky to have known him and my life has been enriched as a result....I went to see him and his wife Annie just in time before he had to go in a care home,he was still with it and we had a great evening together which I'll remember always. My heart goes out to all his family and friends.......here's to a great writer,a great friend and a lovely bloke!
Rest in peace Martin you beautiful man!"
_________________ now,then!
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