Our Brother – gone but never forgotten.

“cor believe it mate” is probably the most uttered phrase in the city of Wolverhampton in recent days, following the shock passing of one of the cities absolute legends. Lee Barton – Rest in paradise my friend.

The last thing he said to me last sunday; after he listened to the song I wrote for my mother the day after she would have been 76, on the 15th of January this year was this

That song goes out to my mother but also to all mothers out there.

A couple of nights ago, there was a get-together here in Wolverhampton in Lee’s name. I was invited to go by Lee’s brother Danny. It was truly surreal. More about this below.

Lee made the online front page headline of our city’s historical newspaper.

The day after Lee’s passing, I was feeling expressive and like I wasnted to write a song so I loaded notepad and started. Without even trying, I had written a full song and compiled it with AI tools, directing and producing some insane results. After some 10 or so sessions, I pressed play and got that feeling that it was right, played it again and started to sing along. Left it for a while and went back but this time, got goosebumps. I knew it was ready.

I had already posted my number one song on social media tagging Lee and many of his family listened and felt the song. Many comments received. So much love shared. This is of course what music is and does. Brings us together and heals us. I could only hope the song I wrote had even 10% the quality and ability to calm and heal in such a dreadful time.

And here’s Lee’s song – Our Brother

Within one day it has almost 5,000 views. The response was amazing. I mean, I loved what was created but the response was overwhelming. And then I got this message

The song will play at Lee’s funeral

Before I continue writing, you should know I just sat here with my head leaned against my hand, just thinking about how that news made me feel. I am humbled and honoured.

And then something else happened….

Now we had Lee’s song, I was picking it apart and sat listening to the instrumental. The feelings to express happened again. I start thinking not only about our loss but also what Lee inspired in others. You may well not know but Lee was a staunch advocate and very active in helping the homeless and hungry in our city, for a long time. And he is NOT alone. There are more angels in our streets who’s lives are hugely dedicated to helping the less fortunate around us.

And these feelings and thoughts made me write another song. All I want to say is to confirm it is about losing Lee and the inspiration he and others have and the things they do. They know or some of them know my feelings about them, that I call them angels. The world needs more people like this.

They are the most beautiful of people.

At the get-together, I got to see some people I already knew, but also people I had never met. This is when it truly hit home how much my song had an affect on these beautiful yet truly saddened loved ones of Lee. The multiple hugs, the assurance that the song is perfect for Lee. Meeting many relatives and close friends but most of all, to meet his siblings and his mom and dad. I didn’t mention that I went to meet his twin daughters at their home the night before. They are adorable young ladies. They are being very strong.

The further I get into writing this I feel like my writing ability has fallen apart so I will bid you all blessings and please, treasure life and people.

To mom Jean and dad Albert, to Sarah, Jamie and Danny, to Sarah and Lee’s children, to all of Lee’s loved ones, I daren’t think of you as friends, because we are Lee’s family too; god bless you all and please, continue to be there for each other. Continue to be the beautiful people that you are.

Lee, rest in paradise our brother. We love you. I pray that we are in no rush but we will at some point, see you on the other side.

Oh and one more thing….

I spoke to Lee’s brother Jamie, today. We agreed to play the second song that no one has heard yet, at the function following Lee being laid to rest.

The man, the legend – Lee Barton