Rock world bids fond farewell to ‘drummer’s drummer’ Ted Mckenna
MUSICIANS from the world of pop and rock have said farewell to “drummer’s drummer” Ted Mckenna.
The musician, from Coatbridge, was given a humanist send-off at Daldowie Crematorium in South Lanarkshire.
The ceremony was attended by several figures from his musical past.
They included Zal Cleminson of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, former Marillion frontman Fish and Chris Glen of the Michael Schenker Group.
The packed service yesterday, during which several people were forced to stand, was also attended by his close family and friends.
His tearful son, Casey, paid tribute to his father “big Ted” before Ted’s cousin played Ae Fond Kiss on acoustic guitar at the end of the ceremony.
Casey said: “When my sister Laura and I were growing up, dad was away a lot on tour and would bring us gifts back from wherever he was.
“Our friends would ask what he did for a living and but I don’t think they would have believed us if we had told them.when I was about 12 we took him riding.
“Can you imagine big Ted on the back of a horse?
“Laura and I have great memories of the time we spent with Ted.”
Mckenna’s crashing, powerful drum fills were a key element of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s two big hits, their cover of Tom Jones’s Delilah (1975) and Boston Tea Party (1976). Together they released eight albums between 1972 and 1978 but were most successful as a live act.
Gerry Mcavoy, who performed with the drummer in Rory Gallagher’s band and Band of Friends, said: “He was loved in this life and he will be loved in the next life.”
Edward ‘Ted’ Mckenna died on January 19, aged 68, of a haemorrhage during an operation for a hernia.