R.I.P. Jet Black

Drummer for the Stranglers. He was 84!

He sure was an…Old Codger! Unfortunately, I never got to see The Stranglers. A glance at setlist.fm revealed my suspicions: never a show in the Southeast US, much less Florida where I lived. I count my lucky stars that I got to see Hugh Cornwell once a decade ago in Charlotte! Mr. Duffy sure ran things and made it happen for The Stranglers. Their taskmaster. Every band needs one.

I got to see Hugh Cornwell a few years ago when he was doing the complete No More Heroes tour. His drummer on that jaunt was Clem Burke, who was a very acceptable substitute for Jet.

I saw Hugh Cornwell with Clem Burke as well. Cornwell was doing a dual headliner tour with Glen Matlock; both of them were using the same rhythm section -- Burke, and a bassist whose name escapes me. (I seem to recall his surname being Fishman.) That was my first Seattle show, in 2012.

Rest in peace, Jet. You gave us a lot of great music, and had a longer haul than most rockers.

As it's been the past few years, the EOY requiem installment of my show is practically writing itself.