Guernsey Press

Cheerie, mon vieux

He's spent four decades performing in bands, but Chris Dean called it a day last Saturday. Mark Windsor was at The Fermain Tavern for The Devotees' Final Farewell...

Published

He's spent four decades performing in bands, but Chris Dean called it a day last Saturday. Mark Windsor was at The Fermain Tavern for The Devotees' Final Farewell...

Hard to believe he's been around so long, but after almost 40 years of rocking, Guernsey's master frontman Chris Dean has left the stage – after two rocking farewell gigs with mates Tempus, The Pulse and The Devotees.

True, it's hard to see Mr Energy hanging up his guitar and heading to the drawing-room with pipe and slippers so soon.

But retirement calls, and here was an opportunity to make a song and dance about it.

Setting the timbre, temperature and tempo, Tempus kicked off and it was great to see them in their 2012 time warp – no one so solid as Sav Russo on drums; Jim Delbridge, master songwriter, singer and bassist; and finally Geoff Le Friec, lead guitarist, who has been out of the limelight for too long. Last time I saw him, I reckon 'lectric geetars had just been invented.

Sadly, original member Andy Frampton is no longer around.

Of the Pulse I've little to say that Steve Falla hasn't mentioned (see opposite) except that their original material – played on modern equipment with consummate musicianship – proved just how good they were.

The Devotees, the band that Deano performed with the longest, comprises Alan Foss on bass and vocals, Savs on drums, Chris on guitar and lead vocals, and Colin Leach also on guitar and vocals. They truly had a devoted following, playing a massive and energetic set which filled the dance floor all night long and produced the deserved host of encores.

Chris fronted these bands like the true showman he is, with a little bit of swagger, verve, a li'l' bit of argy bargy, and some cheeky chappie 'I got style' moves and pizzazz.

Cheerie, mon vieux.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.