Tribute gig for talented musician Steve (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Tribute gig for talented musician Steve

4:44pm Friday 12th October 2012 in News

A TRIBUTE night was held for a local musician who died just after playing a gig.

Steve Baker, 55, performed one last show at Valley Farm in Clacton before being taken ill.

His heart failed while he was in the ambulance on the way to hospital and he could not be resuscitated.

Steve was meant to be playing a show the following week with his band 99% at the Tavern Club in Holland.

Partner Sheila Hammond, who is also in the band and works at the Tavern Club, decided to go ahead with the gig as a tribute to Steve.

She said: “I was going to cancel but I know Steve would not have wanted me to.

“He played the melodian, mandolin, mandola, guitar, harmonica and violin, and also had a brilliant voice. He loved performing and always played with enthusiasm and commitment.”

The band decided to donate any cash made at the gig to the British Heart Foundation.

When Sheila’s co-workers at the Tavern Club heard about the situation they organised raffles and a karaoke competition to boost the cash raised.

The pub was filled to capacity and more than £1,600 was raised for the charity.

Sheila added: “It was not an easy thing to do without Steve and so soon after he died but knowing we were doing it as a tribute to him and for a good cause helped.