York musicians have lined up to pay tribute to one of their own.
Blues singer and guitarist Gypsy Bill Williams has died after a battle with cancer.
He was hugely well known in the city both as a street performer and for his residencies in several York pubs.
Veteran singer and busker David Ward Maclean said simply: “The wonderful Gypsy Bill Williams was busking in York when I got here. Awesome musician.”
York busker, Ali Lawrence, said: “Bill was tireless, always gigging. He always had a residency somewhere in the city; the latest being at the Guy Fawkes Inn, and The Royal Oak.
“He could pack out any venue he played. His lovely wife Del even learnt to play double bass so she could always perform with him on his nights out – they were a class act.”
Pianist and friend Karl Mullen said: “My earliest memories of Gypsy Bill are of seeing him busking around the market place and Parliament Street – 1989 I think, maybe earlier.
“He was playing one of those ‘resonator’ metal guitars, and the sound he created with this and his big soulful voice was mesmerising.”
Karl started busking himself in 1999. “The piano being on big castors, I made myself a rudimentary (to say the least!) prop for my right foot to reach the pedal.
“I wasn’t sure it was a great idea, as I couldn’t help noisily tapping the same foot when playing blues and boogie, but I remember him coming up to me one day and telling me I had invented the ‘Stomp Stick’ and that he loved it!
“In those days getting a pitch in the morning could be very competitive and not always friendly. But Bill had a great way of securing Helen’s Square if he and Del wanted to do a day there.
“He would bring his old Merc van and the pair simply parked on the pitch and went to sleep before setting up earlier than any other busker would be prepared to arrive!”
Around 12 years ago, Karl joined Bill and Del to play a few gigs in their band The Resonators.
“No secret to anyone who knew Bill that he was a forceful personality who always knew what he wanted, and could at times display a fiery temper. He was also a big softy though.
“I remember hearing from others that I was in the bad books/fired from the band after there were a few gigs I couldn’t make. Apparently my ears should have been burning on account of what he’d had to say about me.
“But when I next bumped into Bill he was nice as pie about it and told me there was nothing to fall out over!”
Part of the fabric of the city
Karl added: “Everyone knew Bill, he was such a great singer, player and character; he was part of the fabric of the city for decades.
“A unique and special man and musician I always admired, and who showed me a lot of kindness. Along with hundreds, or probably thousands of others, I will sorely miss him.”
York musician Tom Cocks met Bill in 1993 when he played Tom’s dad’s pub in Lancaster.
“I then moved to York basically because he and another blues musician Neil Dalton lived there. That was 2004.
“I watched him every Thursday night at his residency at the Golden Ball where he’d often get me up to play harp.
“He was always full of energy, kind words and fun.
“I remember one time going back to his boat after a gig and York was flooded and he rowed myself and Fellow musician Mark Wynn over a flooded field to his boat with guitars and amps and us all howling with laughter.”
Tom described Bill as the “real deal”. “His blues playing was second to none and his dedication to the music and encouragement to younger blues musicians and others was 100 per cent.
“Bill’s passing is a massive blow to the British blues scene.”
Simon Snaize, host of the weekly open mic nights at The Habit on Goodramgate, said: “Bill was an incredible musician with a big heart and a big voice.
“As an influential figure in York’s music scene, he played an important role in nurturing and maintaining it.
“Bill was loved by many, and his absence will be felt not only by the musical community but also by anyone who had the chance to hear him play.”
‘A force of nature’
Dan Lucas, also known as Boss Caine, said: “Bill was an astounding musician and a lovely genuine guy. A force of nature.
“It’s rare to find such authenticity and heart in traditional music that has survived past it’s original era. He kept it alive and inspired others to do the same, or at least listen and take influence from it.
“He was also a font of knowledge and a joy to hold conversation with. His passion and enthusiasm were so up front and unavoidably apparent.
“I would go and watch him play at the Guy Fawkes pub on Sundays before starting my open mic night at Dusk, and you could hear him fill the streets with blues magic through the open pub windows as you approached from Stonegate.
“A truly beautiful thing and I always loved seeing how it would compel tourists and locals alike to get closer and see what was going on. It was always standing room only. And justifiably so.
“I felt lucky to just be in the same pub hearing him even when I couldn’t physically get in the room for it being full.”
In March this year, Bill launched a birthday fundraiser for York Against Cancer. It raised more than £700, nearly five times his original target amount.
He wrote at the time: ”I’ve chosen this charity because their mission means a lot to me… I was taken to and from my treatment by York Against Cancer; it’s a fantastic charity I can’t thank them enough.”