Tribute to Doug Robertson

FORMER Exmouth Grammar School pupil and front-man of the local Rooster Blues Band Doug Robertson has died after suffering a heart attack.

Mr Robertson died suddenly on April 11 while enjoying the company of his friends and listening to music, writes Becca Gliddon.

Born in Plymouth, Doug attended Exmouth Grammar School and his roots remained very much in Exmouth.

An ex-head boy of the school, in more recent years Doug was an enthusiastic organiser of the annual reunion of staff and pupils of the school.

Always an avid rugby enthusiast, Doug played many times for Withycombe and was still an active supporter in recent years.

He was a powerful performer whether singing or playing harmonica and was renowned for pouring feeling into every song.

Blues was the perfect genre for his style, but his early inspirations were Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry.

The music of Rock and Roll was very much in his blood and in the late 1950s-60s led to the formation of the Whirlewinds - one of the South West's most successful bands of the time.

After gaining a degree at the London School of Economics, Doug worked for IBM for many years and when he returned to Exmouth he established his own computer business - actively campaigning for the support of small businesses in the area.

He was deeply and often passionately interested in economics, history and politics.

Friend Bill Baker said: "Doug was a large, loud and loveable guy with a sensitive and generous spirit.

"He will be greatly missed by those who knew of him, the many who knew him and the many who loved him."

Doug Robertson's funeral will be at Barnstaple Crematorium, on Friday, April 24, at 11.30 followed by a wake at the Joiner's Arms in Bideford. For further details, contact Bill Baker on (01404) 851420.