It was sad to see 6th December 2012 saw the passing of two rock musicians that had more of an unsung role in rocks history, naturally their fans would not see them as unsung but to the larger audience they were. Californian drummer Ed Cassidy of Spirit (see post) and London born guitarist Huw Lloyd Langton who's name will always be connected with Hawkwind.
Langton appeared on the very first album by the space rockers and was to later define their guitar sound throughout the 1980's. Outside of the decade with Hawkwind he session-ed for Slayer, black metal's Meads of Asphodel and collaborated with several solo artists. In the 00's his own band would play support to Hawkwind gigs and still made the occasional guest appearance, rejoining them in 2001 before struggling with bad health caused him to pull out.
Looking for an early video of Huw with Hawkwind it seems slightly ironic to find a band as way off the mainstream as they are to find every clip from their albums have an advert. Once more the suits ensure the money is made whenever possible, you can also be sure the band is unlikely to be getting any such payout from the advert.
It's far more fitting then to find a fan made an excellent HD film clip of the Huw Lloyd Langdon Group playing support for the Hawkwind Christmas Tour just over 12 months ago.
Huw, described by his many friends as a gentle and decent man, at the end of this clip it epitomises his attitude to his music and an audience when, after completing the warm up set for his old band he never assumes any rock star posturing at the end of a gig he takes his guitar and pint in hand, interacts with the audience for a few minutes at the front of the stage and then goes to chat with a stage technician. You've seen the same thing at many a local gig. This was the reality of a guy who has spent a lifetime playing rock. It's tough to think the following Christmas he was gone.
