In the mid-1980s Isle of Wight band, Bobby I Can Fly, filled venues on a nightly basis with a raw, brass-driven mix of faux jazz, new wave and classic pop.
Much to the great joy of their loyal fan base, the band reformed 30 years later (ten years ago in 2014) and have played many Island festivals and events since, with their last gig on 9th February at Strings Bar and Venue being their 138th!
Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis
Bobby fans will know that last summer the band’s percussionist, David Baker, received a Motor Neurone Disease (MND) diagnosis. He and his wife, Alice, have been documenting their lives ever since in weekly honest, transparent, heartfelt, blogs: sharing the highs and lows of living with MND.
Some of the recent gigs have been fundraisers for MND Association, and the band have also just released an EP on Wight Vinyl record label with profits to the charity.
“A lovely way to watch the sun go down in technicolour”
Those who attended the last gig in February didn’t realise at the time just how special the gig really was, because the band have now announced that it would be their last.
They posted the following message on social media this week:
After a couple of weeks of consideration, we have made the sad decision that the recent Strings gig was the last Bobby I Can Fly show.
Since Dave’s Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis last July, we have played three really special gigs, and each one has been so emotional for us, knowing that one of us is not well.
The Strings gig was such an amazing night, and to play our last gig to a family of 300 friends is a lovely way to watch the sun go down in technicolour.
Thank you all for sharing this beautiful journey with us.
Love from Duncan, Paul, Mark, Dave B, Carl, & Dave P x x x x x x
The legacy lives on
The band may not be playing live anymore, but their legacy lives on in the music that Bobby fans will continue listening to well into the future. Check out their Bandcamp page to purchase your vinyl before it all goes.
Thank you guys for the music and good times. Here’s to you all!
