A popular Fylde Coast musician has lost his two year battle against cancer.
Dave Iddeson, 61, lead guitarist of the John Scarlett Band passed away on November 25 at Victoria Hospital, just six weeks after performing his last gig – at a venue he had played at the start of his long career, the Goose Green Labour Club, Wigan.
The virtuoso guitarist of Dewhurst Avenue, South Shore, began his love affair with the six string back in 1960 the moment he heard the distinctive sound of Hank Marvin and the chart topper Apache.
From then on he was totally hooked and dedicated himself to mastering a wide variety of guitar styles throughout the years.
In the 60s when Merseybeat was the sound of the moment, Dave was at the forefront of the local Blackpool scene playing in various venues around the Fylde coast – including the legendary but sadly long gone Your Father's Moustache on Cherry Tree Road.
Always keen to develop his versatility Dave embraced a diverse range of musical styles which even included a stint in a traditional jazz/dance band.
His first love was always guitar based rock and from the 70s onwards he was an integral part of the Fylde coast rock scene playing in a number of highly regarded outfits including Fallen Angels, Magic Roundabout and Chips.
In 1986 with a band called Avalon, Dave got to the finals of a nationwide rock competition and played regularly at the Empress Ballroom.
On joining Havana soon after this, Dave had the opportunity of exporting his skills to the Continent with a spell gigging in West Germany where he even witnessed a bit of history in the making with the demolishing of the Berlin Wall.
He joined the John Scarlett Band in 2003 and said that musically he had never been happier. His distinctive playing took him on a new dimension with his mastery of the guitar synthesiser which offered a sound 'palette' which was only limited by Dave's imagination.
"Audiences often wondered where piano, saxophone and other non guitar sounds came from – and the answer was Dave's talented fingers via the amazing Roland Guitar synthesiser," said John Scarlett." He was a well known and much respected musician and performed all over the Fylde coast, he will be sadly missed by family, friends and his many fans."
He leaves a wife, Val, two daughters, Debbie and Vanessa and grand-daughters, Holly, Katie,and Sophie.
His funeral is on Wednesday December 2 at Carleton Crematorium at 11.30am.
