The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Liam’s musical tribute to tragic neighbour to air at charity event
A kind-hearted teen is to perform in public a song he penned for his dying neighbour.
On hearing that his close friend, David Christie, was battling terminal cancer, 19-year-old Liam Dyker set about writing a tune dedicated to him.
The Aberdeen University student plans to unveil the tribute at a charity event at the Beach Ballroom on Sunday, May 14.
The song will be performed by a four-part choir and Mr Dyker will sing a solo in the middle of the piece.
Despite a keen interest in music, he did not turn his hand to song-writing until his former primary school teacher and choir conductor, Morag Simpson, suggested he try his hand at it.
Speaking about the songwriting process, Mr Dyker said: “I’ve written quite a few songs since I was 15. They weren’t good at the time but I started to write little bits and pieces to see what worked and what didn’t.
“It’s a skill that I’ve focused on building up.
“When my neighbour was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I decided that I wanted to write something for him – whether it would be performed while he was still alive, or if he sadly passed away before I got the chance to perform it.
“He passed away an hour and-a-half after I’d written it and he never got the chance to hear it so that’s why we’re doing it at this concert, and all of his family will be there to hear it as well.”
Although Mr Christie is not an active musician, he “appreciated” music and had “all sorts of music on his iPod”.
Discussing Mr Dyker’s solo, Mrs Simpson said: “This proves to be an emotional event in an otherwise lively concert.”
To purchase tickets please contact Morag on 07818 464546 or Jean on 01224 310923.
“He passed away an hour-and-ahalf after I wrote it and never heard the song”