DAVE TURNERDave Turner, a pioneer of the British comedy folk scene, died, aged 66, on 6 September, 2008.
Mr Turner influenced the likes of Billy Connolly, Jasper Carrott and Mike Harding during the ‘60s and ‘70s as one of the first folk musicians to introduce comedy into his live shows.
"There will be a bit of Dave that will carry on forever," said folk singer Fred Wedlock, the man behind the 1981 hit The Oldest Swinger In Town.
"They'll sing his songs forever and even if they don't sing his songs people will be listening to singers who were influenced by Dave. People like Jasper Carrot, Mike Harding and Billy Connolly. And myself."
Mr Wedlock, who recorded two of his songs – The British Bobby and Robin Hood – met him in the mid-70s on the folk circuit.
"He stayed with me when he played in Bristol and I'd stay at his flat above a launderette in Hyson Green when I played in Nottingham."
He added: "He wrote some very funny songs and he was a lovely, friendly, generous, gentle bloke. And a bit of a hippy, really."
Friends and contemporaries also included Jake Thackray, John Renbourn and Bert Jansch.
"He was the original British comedy folk performer," said his brother Pete Turner.
Dave Turner was born in The Meadows, Nottingham, and worked as a miner for a number of years at Wollaton Colliery.
"He wrote songs down there," said Pete Turner. "I remember one about a pit pony that he looked after that he thought was being mistreated.
"But that was more of his serious ones. He was better known for his comedy songs. He started doing comedy folk on stage after listening to a record by an American called Jimmy Driftwood called Very Unfortunate Man."
He was already performing in folk clubs as part of a duet but was too nervous to go solo. During a gig at the Nottingham Folk Workshop in Heathcote Street in the early ‘60s, his musical partner left the stage.
"He said 'and now Dave will do a few solo songs'. He was bricking it," said Mr Turner.
"But he did Very Unfortunate Man and everyone loved it. That was it."
As well as being a regular on the local circuit, Dave Turner would tour the UK's folk clubs, playing the same clubs as Connolly, Harding and Carrott. He also appeared on a bill with Tom Jones.
"Jasper Carrott banned him from the club he ran in Birmingham because he was too popular," said Mr Turner.
His brother, who suffered ill-health from the early ‘90s, ran the Folk, Blues & Beyond night at the Running Horse for years and would introduce acts at the Golden Fleece's open mic night up until six years ago.
"About four years ago he contracted shingles in his right arm and, due to severe nerve damage, was unable to play the guitar again," said his ex-wife Carol Dickens. He lived in Forest Road.
"He was a great lad," said Mr Turner."Always cracking jokes. It was a pleasure to be in his company."
His son, Joe Dickens, helps run Nottingham comedy club Just The Tonic.
"I tried a bit of stand-up but I haven't his talent for comedy," he said. "It wasn't just his comedy people loved, he was also a brilliant guitar player."
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