RIP Don Gardner

So sad. RIP

Thanks for the memories.

Your music will live on for a long long time.

Ed

Very sad news. Had the pleasure of his company for many hours at Preststyn and in the States. Deepest regards  to his family.

Sad, sad news. A tremendous pen and voice on the soul scene. Sadly missed. RIP my friend 

A sad day. May his tunes fill the floors upstairs. 

I’m Gone Northerns ultimate  anthem what a legacy we owe Don Gardner many’s a night cutting rug to it over the years played everywhere yet this powerhouse sound still delivers, RIP.

My sincerest apologies cheating kind by don Gardner

3 hours ago, tomangoes said:

So sad. RIP

 

Thanks for the memories.

 

 

Your music will live on for a long long time.

 

Ed

I wasn't comfortable just giving an up vote, but wanted to say what a great track and how sad to hear this news.

Brilliant at Prestatyn a few years back - such a distinctive voice, it was magical to hear him live. Sad news indeed

So Sad to hear about the passing of Don Gardner, A true legend, Thanks for the great music. RIP Soul Brother

You made it big with me Don  RIP soul heaven awaits

Another very sad loss for us & the soul world in general.

Back when I was a member of the Prestatyn team, I took Don & Lou Pride for a day out in Liverpool. Lou & his manager wanted to do all the Beatles stuff, so went off to the museums. Don wasn't bothered, so I spent lots of time chatting with him till the other 2 had finished. He talked a lot about leaving the biz in the late 60's / early 70's and getting into the building trade. He won a job for Curtis Mayfield & Curtis liked him so much (Don was a real gent) that Curtis persuaded him to become his tour manager. So Don spent months on the road with Curtis & his musicians. He (Don) told me a good few great stories from those times, including how Curtis would go about writing a song (some came instantly to him, others would take months to complete). 

Once again we hear of another Wonderful Human Being Leaving us, I'm Gutted like so many people will be as the news filters through,

RIP Mr Gardner And Condolences to all you Friends and Family. Needless to say it Will be getting A Spin at Our Next Soul Session

As a Tribute To The Great Man 

20 hours ago, MsSoulie said:

A sad day. May his tunes fill the floors upstairs. 

 

 

They will ♥

when a record in 90 bits fetches what it did then you know there is someone special behind it♥ rest it piece sir xxxxxxxxx baz n shelly

Great to have seen Mr.Don Gardner live at Prestatyn in 2002, wow could the man sing even at the age of 71 !! As i remember he thumped out the tune "I'm a practical guy" no holding back, sheer joy!! Brilliant soulful performer. Rest in peace our friend and thank you. Love to all of you close to him. Mark n Jane. xx 

Gutted just been listening to one of his tracks "Somebody's Gonna Get Hurt" & then I read this 

Kirsty

A very sad loss indeed.

RIP Mr Don Gardner,big respect to the Gentleman of Soul.

Deep sympathy to his Family.

Your spirit and music will live on forever.

Play out to the dancers on a regular basis :

Don Gardner - Tighten Up Your Love Bone  (Cedric)

Ron.

What a voice ! Rest in Peace

one of my happy memories of the 2000s was one morning finding myself sharing a lift in Prestatyn with him

he was just walking around the venue like an ordinary punter, seemed an unassuming gent and was a pleasure to have met him

Rip Don 

Nice tributes accounts and recollections.. 

Once again another artist who probably made little money from his gift of singing, but at least he knew the adulation bestowed upon him by soul fans around the world.

In their later lives, when they get traced and coerced into coming to perform a Northern Soul night, you can see the look of disbelief that they have from the crowds applause and enthusiasm. Obviously Don experienced this.

Fame if not fortune at last. RIP.

Ed

The man himself,just fantastic.       Respect and enjoy,Ron.

He's known (in part) for his rare 45's on Chicago labels ... BUT he had no connection to Chicago at all (apart from being road manager for Chicago's Curtis Mayfield in the 70's).  Seems his contacts sent copies of new tracks he'd cut to DJ's from the Windy City ... Don didn't get any bites back in NJ / NY for their release ... so (unbeknown to him), some of his stuff was put out without his knowledge on Chicago labels ... It's a funny old world.

I asked him if he had anything to do with the Mr. G label (it put out one of his 45's ) ... GARDNER ... MR. G ... he seemed really surprised by my question and his answer was NO .. he didn't even have the slightest idea who owned / ran Mr .G ..

ME, I'd still like to get a copy of his Swedish cut & released 45 & LP ... they date back to when he was based in that country for a number of months (64).