Cover design for ‘Kevin Ayers – August 16th 2013 – Deia’, published in 2014
In 2013 I became interested in the life and work of the musician Kevin Ayers, (b. 16th August 1944, d. 18th February 2013). From his early recordings with The Wilde Flowers and Soft Machine in the 1960s up to and including his last album, The Unfairground (2007), Kevin’s unique basso profundo voice and poetic lyrics deliver songs in various genres from psychedelic rock to calypso via dirty blues and heart-stopping ballads. He also had great taste in musical collaborators: Robert Wyatt, Mike Oldfield, Andy Summers, Archie Leggett, Bridget St John, Ollie Halsall – to name but a few!
After visiting the beautiful village of Deia, on the island of Mallorca, for the celebration of Kevin’s life, I decided to record the experience with words and photographs. I also travelled to two of Kevin’s former residences in Montaulieu (near Nyons, Drome) and Montolieu (Languedoc Roussillon) to piece together more background detail about his life. The book is an “exploration” rather than a classic biography, an introduction to a talented and influential singer/songwriter.
Left to right; Rick Lomas, Galen Ayers, Sam Williams, Susan Lomas, Sa Fonda 2013
During this rather whimsical and wonderful journey I’ve had the good fortune to meet two of Kevin’s daughters and some of his close friends (either in “real life” or via the internet) and hear their memories of a charismatic, honest and unconventional human being. My eyes have been opened to new areas of Art and Music. Many thanks to Galen Ayers and Rachel Ayers, Didier Malherbe, Tomas Graves, Marvin Siau, Zanna Gregmar, Ian Carpenter, Richard Derrick, Nigel Stoneley and Michael Kane. Plus the many Kevin fans who get in touch via www.KevinAyers.org
‘Kevin Ayers, 16th August 2013, Deia’ is available to buy on Amazon sites worldwide.
The parish church, Deia. August 18th 2013. Photo by Susan Lomas
