‘He wanted to give everyone the chance to enjoy good music’
ALBUM AND TALENT SHOW TRIBUTE TO TRAGIC SINGER
A talent show will be held in memory of an East Kilbride musician who died on a night out to celebrate his 22nd birthday.
Gary Watson, a former Calderglen High School pupil who was lead singer of The Lapelles, tragically lost his life after falling into the River Clyde in Glasgow last August.
This year’s Calderglen’s Got Talent next Wednesday will be held in his name and money raised will go to Nordoff Robbins – a charity chosen by Gary’s mum, Linda.
It is the largest independent music therapy charity in the UK, dedicated to changing the lives of vulnerable and isolated people.
The winner of this year’s show will also be given the inaugural Gary Watson Award.
An emotional Linda told the News she has been overwhelmed with the support she has received since losing Gary – and is extremely touched his former school is dedicating the talent show to him.
It is even more poignant as Gary took part and won the firstever show aged just 13.
“I remember Gary winning the show so well,” she said. “At that time he was quite a quiet boy so it took a lot of courage for him to do it.
“He played and sang at home so I knew he was good but the talent show really was where it all started – and people realised just how talented he was. I remember being so proud of him.”
“When the school contacted me to say they
wanted to dedicate this year’s show to him I thought it was a lovely idea and I was extremely touched.
“I picked Nordoff Robbins because he was passionate about music and helping new talent come through – The Lapelles were really taking off and he wanted to make sure others got the chance to get noticed.
“He also wanted to give everyone the chance to enjoy good music.”
A YouTube series, which was a labour of love for Gary, called The Spaghetti Factory, is also nearing completion. Linda invited pupils from Calderglen along to filming. “Gary really wanted to give upand-coming bands a platform to perform as he felt that was lacking and had filmed an episode before he died,” she added. “The band are just putting the finishing touches to the rest of it and it will hopefully be aired soon.” Calderglen teacher Mhairi Healy, who has organised all the talent shows since 2008, said: “I love to see how a somewhat shy, quiet pupil audition in my classroom then grow in confidence when performing in front of 400 people. “This year I thought it fitting to dedicate the talent show to Gary. I taught Gary in English and I remember he was quite quiet in class so I was surprised to see him on the day of the auditions. What a talent.
“Gary absolutely blew us away with his performances. We knew we had found something very special in Gary.
“He was was such an incredibly kind soul. He has left such a legacy and is an inspiration to all pupils in Calderglen and to all young people in general.
“This year we knew we had to honour him in some respect. The winner of the talent show will be given The Gary Watson Award.
“We will hope to award this every year at the talent show and perhaps work with Linda again in the future.”
Doors open at Calderglen’s Got Talent at 6.30pm and tickets can be purchased from the school.