Dave Greenfield (The Stranglers) top 10 keyboard moments by John Robb
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- Опубліковано 1 сер 2024
- John Robb selects 10 out of endless great keyboard moments from the greatest player of them all. Fly straight Dave.
Dave Greenfield (The Stranglers RIP)
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John Robb is an award-winning journalist and boss of Louder Than War. In a 30 year music writing career, John was the first to write about bands such as Stone Roses and Nirvana and has several best selling music books to his name. He constantly tours the world with Goldblade and the Membranes playing gigs or doing spoken word and speaking at music conferences.
Website: louderthanwar.com/
Follow me on twitter: / johnrobb77
My band: / themembranes - Фільми й анімація
Greenfield's keyboards defined the Stranglers sound. I was first mesmerized by that sound in 1978 & it still moves me to this day. Totally irreplaceable RIP, Dave.
agreed - 43 years of being entranced by it
Yup, what would Golden Brown be without him? Nothing stevepafford.com/goldenbrown/
I went into HMV in B'ham once . I don't think I was aware that day The Stranglers were releasing a new single ( Strange Little Girl ) , never heard the song at that time even though it was an old one they'd discarded long before they found fame . I was browsing through probably a punk section ( you could still pick up old 45's a few years after release with ease in those days ) , on came SLG ..... didn't know it , but instantly you knew that sound was The Stranglers from the first couple of seconds in . They could play hard music or soft melodic , but whatever it was you could tell it was them . A lot of it was that keyboard sound which set them apart from any other band .
Feel like apart of my youth gone,every Saturday hanging around hmv Stockton buyin the latest punk, stranglers would not put a label on them,apart from unique
I remember getting '5 minutes' when I was 15 followed by No more heroes lp then Rattus and B&W when it came out. The first band I was a fan of.
John - I love that description of Dave’s playing - “One handed with a can of beer in his hand, not even looking at the keyboard.” Now, that’s talent 😊
he made the complex look simple...not even sure he knew how good he was...
That's okay, but could he play Bach?
@@anonb4632 Could Bach play the Stranglers!
@@JOHNROBBofficial Probably not, unless he could get out of his coffin. 😉👍
That is my overriding memory of The Stranglers when i saw them a few times back in the 1980's. He always seemed to playing the keyboards with 1 hand yet it sounded like he was playing them with 10.
Well-said sir, thank you. I am almost 63 and punk rock still excites me. The Stranglers were my best boys. They were a cut above the others and as Hugh Cornwell said yesterday, Dave Greenfield was the reason why. They peaked again with Norfolk Coast but the first three albums I think are their best work. 'Goodbye Toulouse' is very dear to me. Hearing the news of his passing made me quietly swear. Yours is a heartfelt and eloquent tribute. Well-said sir, thank you.
im 64 and a die hard fan also
Respectful & thoughtful. Dave Greenfield richly deserved a tribute like this!
thanks Roger.
He was a genius. My dad was the stranglers but in father version. Love this band. Dave and his keyboard were the sounds of my youth
Totally 💯
That Tribute was so heartfelt, I can hardly type with tears in my eyes.
thanks Jay - that's the highest compliment
Thank you sir for taking the time to honor Mr. Greenfield. I am saddened by his passing. Being a big Stranglers fan in the U.S. is a lonely position so I am glad to find somewhere to share my grief. Damnit, I never had the chance to see the band in person. The Stranglers have meant a lot to me over the decades and Mr. Greenfield was a part of that spirit. Bless him, The Stranglers and all Stranglers aficionados. He will never be forgotten by many!
Excellent Tribute To The Best Keyboard Player Ever. R.I.P Dave.
JJB's bass lines dragged me into punk as a snotty nosed 15 year old oik but Dave's craft made me appreciate music. To which I am eternally grateful.
thats an important point - I tried to make it here but despite Dave's genius it was each member of the band that made them really special - there were no passengers in the Stranglers - just getting immersed in La Folie and Feline at the moment - so many gems.
@@JOHNROBBofficial I certainly wouldn't disagree. But the crazy thing for me is Dave Greenfield actually introduced me to Jon Lord, musically!
The extra sound dimension The Stranglers had made me realise I'd sort of heard something similar before. The I found Highway Star.
Punk bands aren't real musicians? Please.
Great tribute mate. Be well.
I’ve had a lump in my throat for days. I’ve been a fan since 1977 , and seen countless gigs . I met Dave many times , he was the most unassuming and humble man . Was so looking forward to seeing them in the final tour this autumn. This is just too sad. Condolences to Pam and the lads from the band who I’m sure are very distressed . What a tragic end . Great tribute John 👍🏻
I had the pleasure of knowing and singing w Dave from the age of 15! He was something else, and he had a leopard print bag made by his Aunt before he became a Strangler and the bag became Black. However, the mystery contents remained the same. I was privileged to inherit said Leopardskin bag! One day he turned up on my doorstep and said he was auditioning w a band near Guildford, so off we trundled to the legendary village of Chiddingfold …….. the rest as they say is history. I lived and breathed The Stranglers for the first 18 months or so in the great Ice Cream Van Adventures. Dave was my friend and I loved him, he made every band he ever played in sound greater than their component parts. Singing harmony w him made my spine tingle. He was an eccentric genius with a heart of slightly tarnished GOLD.
Love your tribute, he is still sorely missed x Jenn.
RIP Jet 🎉 - he taught me to cook.
Thanx John that was a lovely tribute to the one and only Dave Greenfield.I still can not take it all in that he has left us.I only met him once after a stranglers gig in barrowlands Glasgow.he was an absolute gentleman.he was also a very humble man.my thoughts and prayers are with his lovely wife Pam.Dave was a musical legend.he will be sadly missed by all in the strangler's family.Thanx for posting this John,you know your stuff.and a big thankyou to GENIUS DAVE for the music he has gave to us all.RIP never forgotten!!😢👍💕
thanks Aidan. Like you say Dave was truly humble. The genuine talents have no idea of just how good they are. What a band. Glad I saw them about 100 times.
Thanks john a fantastic tribute to dave. fly straight dave
Thanks John you picked some classics which hit the nail on the head regarding the Stranglers and Dave Greenfield. All my mates where into the Clash and the Pistols but for me it was the Stranglers. They just stood head and shoulders above everybody for many years. Some amazing songs 1st song that blew me away was Heroes in 1979 and been on a journey with them since. So many great memories listening to them and going to see them live. Loved Dave Greenfield`s Keyboards they were so good. Man was from another planet sent to educate us. taken too soon. A sad day in my life. R.I.P Dave Greenfield Fly Straight
Found myself nodding in agreement with every comment . Will resonate with every Stranglers fan . Terrific tribute John
Fabulous tribute. Thanks for your passion and eloquence.
Fantastic tribute 👍
Nice one John, agree with every word. Time to listen to some of those tracks.
maybe start at the begging and go through in order...
Nice one! The Stranglers will always be number one for me. Genius, original and honest.
Thank you John, for this thoughtful tribute to a brilliant musician, Dave Greenfield. Man, this one really hurts doesn't it?
it does doesn't it. I guess with the Stranglers and fans we are big weird family of very different people (like the band!) but we unite in our fascination for this most idiosyncratic of groups...
@@JOHNROBBofficial This could be a very long conversation over many drinks. I wish it could be. The best bands create art, and art defines us. That for me was The Stranglers. Artists. That's not always the case (I'm a drummer who did the band scene and know this was rarely the case.) But Dave was a fucking artist in the truest sense. And how privileged we were to be a part of that. Wherever you are Dave, thank you, and love you.
Thank you brother. I love your, "The best bands create art, and art defines us". My feeling when inspired by music, not just amused by it. No one like Mr. Greenfield.@@rabbitscooter
that's an awesome tribute to Dave, John!!! Listening with tears in my eyes!!!! may he play his massive swelling organ in the sky again! RIP
thank you. its emotional.
Nice tribute to a great man who will be really missed.
So long Dave absolute genius on the keyboards so long and thanks
Thanks for such a heartfelt tribute John (from a lifelong Stranglers fan).
I'm another lifer...
Great tribute by someone who know's what they're talking about. Well done John.
I was a fan of the stranglers when none of my peers were, and the main reason was Dave Greenfield's keyboard playing. His arpeggios on the L100 & his Hohner Cembalet (an odd electric piano, and there's not many working ones left), made the band sound like no one else. Rest In Peace 🎹🎶
the Cembalet was the key - what a thing to bring to rock n roll
Thanks John, a great tribute to a legend
An aural sculptor. Totally agree and Norfolk Coast was like having the old Stranglers back for an old guy like myself
he made it look simple but it was complex and clever and textured and very very precise . Norfolk Coast was a real shivers moment as well
@@JOHNROBBofficial morning mate it's your bruv in law
agree with everything you said a brilliant tribute .such a sad loss to us all.never a day went by in 40 years when I haven't listened to a stranglers song and was genuinely upset to hear this sad news rip dave and thanks for years of brilliant musicianship ,memories I will never forget.
thats a great mini tribute there Johnny - a perfect fan tribute - I feel the same.
My first gig was Stranglers Glasgow Appollo 1977 with Rezillos supporting.
Changed my life.
Brilliant Tribute John.Spot on there.
Fantastic choices. A joy to think of them.
God knows how many times that I have watched this,still moves me John.Agree with everything,well said!!!!
Excellent, respectful and loving tribute.
Brilliant John.
Brilliant tribute thanks Robb. Was welling up throughout it. Such a sad loss for a genius of a man. RIP Dave
thanks - thats a high accolade. I felt the same making it thats why I left a couple of cock ups in. there - couldn't do it twice.
That was a fitting tribute to the unforgettable Dave Greenfield. Cheers John.
Listening to it now, quite reminiscent of the Doors. The Stranglers a great band , greater than there sum of it's parts, Dave was the only 'Punk' keyboard player I can think of! RIP Dave, Thank You! You will live on in your music and our memories.....
I think Dave had his own thing - Doors is in the lineage but he made it unique and he had a a lot of different sounds - all equally effective.
Gutted. Thank you for the memories you've given me of watching this brilliant band.🖤🖤🐀🖤🖤
soundtrack to our lives
Worshiped the Stranglers in my youth, fly straight Dave Greenfield & excellent assessment John.
The intensity of the loyalty to the band is different to other bands. It's a world full of idiosyncratic ideas and strange and beautiful music - what an amazing band.
Late last week I listened to their first 3 albums on record and was just thinking how brilliant and important Dave is in the band, when I saw them a while ago Dave sang Do You Wanna and I thought it was the best moment in the gig, unfortunately I can't see how they can continue without him.
briiliant tribute by a true fan.I reckon the keyboards in Duchess were up there too......as were the rest!RIP Dave
Great words for a great man.
Tthank you John.
John, spot on. Thank you.
thanks, genius band
wandering round my flat like a fart in a trance, just realised i did not thank you John, brilliantly put, spoken for many people
Thanks John. An excellent tribute.
That original period, the shows and that run of lps were amazingly strong.
Certainly underrated- except for those in the know.
I'm so glad they were part of my life soundtrack in my formative years.
Great band and a great tribute.
RIP Dave.
true - and all at such a quick pace!
very nice tribute to a great musician
i only met dave back in 78 back stage with the rest of the band , he was the only one that was pleasant to me thanks dave tx
I did know what Daves shoulder bag contained. In 85 Dave, Hugh, and I was at a record label pissup and I asked Dave why he carried that bag everywhere with him...He opened it to reveal to me 2, 40oz bottles of Barcadi rum that he'd relocated from the bar to his bag....Priceless memories...A good friend that will be missed...R.I.P. My friend..😊
You nailed it. I've always said that the band had a lead guitarist, lead bass lead drummer and a genius lead keyboard. Thanks
Thanks for this video. What you're saying, needs saying. He was a superb musician.
Great tribute John - you've packed a lot in here. What a talent.
you could go on all night about each song - so much nuance - so much brilliance. maybe it's time for another convention so we can all meet up do just that.
John Robb gets the Stranglers. Brilliant tribute.
Thank you for this video. Best wishes always.
A shed tears when I heard the news .
Greenfield was a keyboard God and should never be forgotten ❤️ R I P
Thank You John, great tribute.
Nice n Sleazy is possibly my favourite song by anyone and a lot of it is down to the weird sounds Dave contributes. Those late 70s bands saved us from musical oblivion.
I. remember the first time I heard that solo and I knew that there was a future for music socially.
ACID!....
have u seen the live version in the park complete with strippers and whips?
archive.org/details/THE_STRANGLERS_Nice_N_Sleazy_1978
Thank you John... Dave Greenfield RIP..
I agree with every word, in 78 when I got my copy of black and white I was already a huge strangler fan,but that lp was like nothing I'd ever heard before ,it was so dark I could not stop playing and haven't for 44 years,fly straight dave with perfection
Superb. An honour to see you at a Stranglers gig at Liverpool O2 Academy a few years ago John Robb. Great eulogy
Had my own tribute to Dave G last night, here in Northern Thailand, few cans, blunted, black tee on, tune after tune by the manic majestic Stranglers, Toiler.... phew!
Thank you for this tribute, The Stranglers were always my favourite choice for the M4 run home from London to Carmarthen after seeing my kids on the weekend after my divorce.
Dear John Robb. Thank you. The Stranglers were my first love when I was 13 in 1977. To describe them as pictorial hits the nail on the head. And where I was attracted to punk because of its anarchic aggression, the Stranglers were menacing. Not young. Four enigmatic individuals who dragged you onto a long forgotten attic full of abandonded musky furniture, spooky doll houses and
a music box playing in the corner...Without Dave Greenfield and JJ Burnel I'd neither be tempted to buy a cheap combo organ nor to pick up an even cheaper bass guitar. Still making music for a living. The initial spark? The Stranglers. Thank you very much Dave Greenfield. And thank you John for relentlessly flying the flag of this Misunderstood Bunch of Strang(l) ers...
Thanks for this Robb, its just what I needed at these incredibly sad times. The news of Dave's passing was given to me by my wife who happened to be reading my rarely used twitter account. "You've made a mistake", I quickly snatched the phone from her. Then, at 52, waves of tears at this and the build up of all the other unnecessary deaths at the moment.
I did meet you once when you supported The Stranglers at Cambridge. You were a gentleman then as you are now. Thanks again.
thanks David, really sad. So entwined into our lives. They meant more than a normal band. As a writer I will relentlessly campaign on the band and Dave's behalf to get them the recognition they deserve. Was Cambridge when we played with the Stranglers? if we ever get to tour again hope to play there with my other band the Membranes.
@@JOHNROBBofficial It was when you supported the Stanglers and one of the most enjoyable and energetic bands we had seen. We picked up a Goldblade CD while we were there which you kindly signed. A couple of years later we also saw you at a gig in Preston which blew our minds (and ears).
Excellent and intelligent tribute.
Lovely tribute Brother John, RIP Dave.
Wonderful John! Thank you for doing this from love.
I started listening to the Stranglers when I was 15, I’ll be 56 this year. Thank you
You're spot on there John. The Stranglers sound painted pictures in your head and a lot of that was down to Dave Greenfield. What a truly talented musician he was. Lovely tribute John.
A True Rock Legend - One of a Kind Absolutely Unforgettable !!
RIP King of Psychedelic Punk Originator Innovator Genius
Forever and Sadly Missed but Listened to Daily
Thank You Stranglers for ALL the Amazing Music - Much Fun A Life of Love
Anything Can Happen is another of many many memorable genius moments carved into the stone of time
I met Dave a couple of times, the first time at the Stranglers first world convention at the Swallow hotel, Peterborough. I will always remember how decent he was, humble too and will always be grateful for that time spent in his company.
yes, met him lots of times. Lovely eccentric character.
Rip Dave no one plays keyboards like that and no one will do again pure genius
Thanks John for the wonderful tribute. You have articulated for me the reasons of why I have been listening to this band for the last 40 years. Also a comfort to hear from fellow members of the family in black in what has been a tough week. Long live the Stranglers and RIP Dave.
An absolutely awesome keyboards player. Dave was up there with the greats!
Beautiful tribute. Poetic.
Watching Keith Floyd on the telly as a small child was my introduction to The Stranglers. The band and he enriched my life aurally and gastronomically....
Super talented keyboard player who created a soundtrack that will remain timeless. RIP Mr. Greenfield
Thank you. Perfect.
Until yesterday I was unaware that Dave Greenfield wrote the music to 'Golden Brown', which as we all know, is a modern day classic !!!!
R.I.P.
Apparently the story is quite funny. Allegedly JJ and Hugh felt that the other members were due to provide writing contribution as well and forced Jet and Dave to sit down in a corner and write down a song while they were having a rest in a local pub. The outcome was the amazing Golden brown
I remember it as being associated w a trip to a Harpsichord factory ……..
I listen to Sweden almost every week, Dave Greenfield at his best. rip
Totally agree, I just wanna cry...walk on by...
@@bobinbud the keyboards sounds like clouds - the great lost single isn't it?
@@JOHNROBBofficial Yes John, and that crazy version on Svenska language.
Beautiful John...i love this and will be sharing x
Bought my first Stranglers album age 12 in 1979 , saw them last year at Norwich UEA , Duchess was a stand out song featuring Dave on keyboards, I had better go listen to it . Thanks for such a artistic review , I am sure the man in black would be proud .
This was really well done, thanks. Glad you included Genetix.
The Stranglers are all talented musicians in their own right with fantastic bass keyboards and drums and guitar, but dates keyboards made the hair stand up on the back of your neck , and his voice sends chills down you're spine !
Nailed it John, picking just ten tracks is a challenge in itself
Great stuff John. So many brilliant Dave moments, and a good few of my favs here. Re his vocals - and your comment on post punk - there's a school of thought that Dave's vocal style was the very basis of Howard Devoto's own style. That was mentioned to me recently and I'd have to agree.
Of all my dad's records that he played me when i was growing up, Rattus was the one that left the biggest impression on me as a kid, Dave's playing was so hypnotic. Brilliance.
This is a XXXcellent tribute! Thank you
Wonderfully put John, Dave's keyboard was what made the band stand out from the crowd of their contemporaries. His talent was towering and he (& the rest of the guys) brought so much joy to my life and depth to the soundtrack of my youth.
He will be sorely missed, fly straight with perfection fella.
Wonderful tribute.
Great Contribution...I`m very, very sad, that a part of my youth departed...I mourn...HAPPY to see him last December in Hamburg and Berlin, for a very last time...I did`nt know...SEE YOU AGAIN, one day > BEST Keyboardplayer EVER < miss you as an original! Bye...
Nice tribute, for me I always look forward to a new album release, and it's the realization it's the end of a era ,that has span over 40 years, saw them in 1979 and they have always been in life since, I doubt today's youth will be able to say that, so thanks Dave Greenfield, personal favourites, man they loved to hate, who wants the world, long black veil, spectre of love, toiler on the sea, and eight superb keyboard melodies on the raven album, and great intros on Baroque Borello, Shah Shah a go, and the Raven
great to see some of there newer songs on your list - also the new/last album is virtually finished - iso it may still hopefully come out
@@JOHNROBBofficial
Thanks for your reply
Thank you! It was the swirling keyboards in "Nice in Nice" that caught my ear in the early 90s
John, can't thank you enough for your thoughts. Just wanted to chime in that I always believed the drift into Euro sound with LaFolie / Feline, perhaps steered by J.J. was fully supported by Dave, in that he could explore new tempos and riffs, and certainly he had the vision to know that it would influence another direction for music in the 80's. I remember dancing to All Roads Lead to Rome in the clubs, and trying to tell people how special it was, and the history of the band.
We had Waltz in Black at our wedding when the guest came into the registry office , it was a fitting song for our wedding
For me Dave's swelling organ made the stranglers,rip Dave , nicely put together john
Great article and tribute John. Dave Greenfield, sadly missed. What a keyboard player, and a great sense of humour - you mention the beer in hand, one handed playing. Last time I saw them in Glasgow, he lapsed into a bit of deliberate Les Dawson style off tune playing which is a talent in its own right. Doing it one handed with a bottle of Becks in the other, while doing the jelly legs motion added to the moment.
At university in 1982 a guy on the same corridor in the hall of residence played the Rat’s Rally organ solo continuously for about 2 weeks - over and over again. After a aeries of visits from hall managers and counsellors, he was collected by an ambulance and didn’t come back....
RIP Dave....your meandering keyboard is entertaining the cosmos