Paying Tribute To TOMMY VANCE

March 7, 2005

Garry Sharpe-Young of Rockdetector.com has issued the following statement regarding the pasing of former BBC Radio 1 DJ Tommy Vance:

"If there's one person I really owe a debt to in my career it's Tommy Vance. It might be hard for those outside the U.K. to realize just how important Tommy was to the U.K. hard rock scene. Quite frankly, Tommy's uniquely 'deep and booming' (copyright 'Blackadder') voice made him one of a handful of celebrities that 99 percent of the entire British public could recognize instantly. More importantly, of course, was Tommy's contribution to hard rock, and particularly heavy metal music, in the U.K.

"I discovered Tommy's passion rather late, in the NWOBHM era, but he had already been championing metal bands for years beforehand. There were many, many times the BBC tried to axe his 'Friday Rock Show' but, no matter what the fads and fashions, Tommy (and his great ally and producer Tony Wilson) remained steadfast.

"There are very, very few British bands who do not owe Tommy. His 'Friday Rock Show' sessions gave national exposure to just about every NWOBHM band you can name. Every week Tommy gave an up and coming act hugely valuable airtime. On top of this, very often Vance and Wilson dedicated half an evening to a live gig — JUDAS PRIEST, SAXON, DIO, Castle Donington, etc, etc. Tommy never gave a damn if it was fashionable — if it was good, he played it. Two hours of solid heavy metal every weekend on mainstream, national radio. What a hero. The eventual killing of the 'Friday Rock Show' was one of the worst crimes perpetrated on British music — ever.

"Tommy Vance's impact on the rock world was just as great as the late John Peel's dedication aided indie rock. I will certainly miss my pre-teen years listening to the radio right against my ear so I could hear the latest metal!

"Rock on, Tommy!!"

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