Black aka Colin Vearncombe - Book of Celebration

We’re aware that some people couldn’t make it to the memorial service in Liverpool. We set up this online book of celebration to give anyone a chance to share their memories of Colin and his music, along with any messages for the family.

We have now closed the Book of Celebration to new entries but all previous entries remain below to view.

589 entries.

Martina from Germany wrote on 19th February 2016 at 12:24 am

I first heard your wonderful voice when I was 12, and from that day on I was interested in music, which soon beame my passion. Your music was always special to me, through all the years.

You'll be deeply missed

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Paul Hughes from Swindon wrote on 19th February 2016 at 12:11 am

Had the pleasure of seeing Colin perform several times.Each performance was unique and you could tell that Colin derived great pleasure in intimate conversations with the audience. I thoroughly enjoyed each gig and was prompted to revisit past Black/Colin albums each time. No surprise to find another song that drew me in and told me a story. Colin you will be sadly missed but we have your fabulous music as your legacy.
Many condolences to your family. May your journey onwards reward you for the many hours of pleasure that you have certainly given me and your many other fans.RIP

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Valérie from Clermont-Ferrand wrote on 18th February 2016 at 11:28 pm

Colin, your song "Sweetest smile" will be for me my favorite song forever. Your voice, your talent, your texts will be missed by all. My biggest regret: not being able to meet you in person. I'll miss you. My condolences to your family. Valérie.

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Jo wrote on 18th February 2016 at 11:21 pm

Heard Black first in those early 80's John Peel sessions and couldn't help but get lost in Colin's incredible voice, what a talented man who has given us some truly memorable songs that will last forever.

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Chris James from Leeds wrote on 18th February 2016 at 11:18 pm

I find it difficult to believe that Black has gone. At our wedding 25 years ago the first song we asked the DJ to play Wonderful Life as our first dance as husband and wife. Colin showed so much talent in all his other recordings.

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Paul Dunford from Brize Norton wrote on 18th February 2016 at 11:17 pm

Colin, I will be listening to your music for many years to come, just as I have listened since the 1980's. Please sing a sing for my wife in heaven. Love, Paul

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Michael Deacon from Egremont wrote on 18th February 2016 at 11:11 pm

R.I.P Colin you have gone far too soon.
You will be sadly missed but your beautiful music will last for ever.

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Nigel from Adelaide, South Australia wrote on 18th February 2016 at 11:04 pm

I can track, and remember, almost every important milestone in my life just by your songs. We met only once, but my memories of that gig will stay with me forever. Your genius and your music will love on in us, your fans. Rest in peace, and thank you for a Wonderful life.

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Kelly from Norwich wrote on 18th February 2016 at 10:57 pm

The light that burns twice as bright lasts half as long and you have burned so very very brightly.... Have rediscovered your beautiful voice and music after all these years. Hope it may comfort your family to know what joy it brings us.....

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Terrence Morris from Wallasey wrote on 18th February 2016 at 10:43 pm

Thank you Colin for the songs that you gave to everyone and I will treasure them forever. Wonderful Life is my favourite song of all time and it will never be bettered. I am, and always will be, seventeen when I hear it.

I saw the video for this song being recorded on New Brighton Promenade in August 1987 on a driving lesson. Wish I had stopped and said hello. But still a special memory to cherish.

So glad I finally got to see you live in 2014 and 2015 and again the memories will last, especially the power failure in the Kazimer.

Rest in peace Colin. God bless.

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Michael from Virginia Beach USA wrote on 18th February 2016 at 10:34 pm

I discovered your music in '86 and have enjoyed your it sense. And I will continue to do so.

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Pere Jiménez-Molinero from Barcelona wrote on 18th February 2016 at 10:30 pm

Like many others, I never had the chance to meet Colin Vearncombe personally, though we did exchange some e-mails a few years ago, when I contributed with the catalan (and occitan!) translations of the doenload menu and message of one of his albums. Songs like Wonderful life, Everything's coming up roses, The big one or Feel like change (to name but a few) impressed me when they were released and I still like them. And last Christmas, when he sang a Catalan translation of his most famous hit, I was delighted, so you can imagine how shocked and sad I felt when I heard the news of his accident and death. I discovered his songs when I started to get interested in music and was starting to develop my own tastes, so I can say he became part of my musical background. His songs will be remembered and appreciated forever.

Que la terra et sigui lleu, Colin... Rest in peace. All my condolences to his family and friends.

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Stephan from Ilmenau/Germany wrote on 18th February 2016 at 10:15 pm

What an undescribable loss for his family and the fans of his music. I hoped that he'll be able to survive. I was really downfallen by his unexpected death. I hoped for more of his great music to come. He lives further in his music, which I hear on and on. He left an undying legacy I'll find joy and strength in. Thank god he senet this great musician to us. RIP Colin.

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John Bulmer from Dover wrote on 18th February 2016 at 10:09 pm

Have always loved Colin and his music. I listen to it almost every day. One of us has died. I will miss him.

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Matt from Macclesfiled wrote on 18th February 2016 at 10:08 pm

RIP Colin. Grew up with Wonderful Life and Comedy and they still sounds as good today as they did back then

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Monako Dibetle from Johannesburg, ZA wrote on 18th February 2016 at 9:56 pm

We would have loved to see you perform in South Africa - RIP Colin

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Artem from Saint-Petersburg wrote on 18th February 2016 at 9:40 pm

Goodbye, Colin! Thank you for all you have done. As long as my heart is beating you will be remembered.
No need to run and hide. It's a wonderful, wonderful life.

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Paul Wakeford from London wrote on 18th February 2016 at 9:22 pm

Met my wife back in the late 80s and we courted to your Wonderful Life album.Went to see you live at so many gigs over the years and even took my 8 year old son to an event in an intimate Cambridge Pub that you did many years ago to introduce him to real music. You spotted him and knew the story immediately, he was filling in for the wife who couldn't make it ! So very sad you are gone, I have lived my life with your music and songs, may you rest in peace knowing you made so many people happy and optimistic with their lives.

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marika griehsel wrote on 18th February 2016 at 9:20 pm

Love !

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Spike from Carmarthen wrote on 18th February 2016 at 9:14 pm

The music, the man, the stories...the poetry, the lyrics...the voice, the observation, the life...the song...the sound...missed, but never forgotten...a friend...

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