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Floyddroid
15-06-2026, 10:00
Back in the early 1970’s I was given a copy of an album that would fast become one of my desert island discs. It was Bedside Manners Are Extra By Greenslade.It was an album that along with the imagery of its artwork would capture the imagination of a captivated teenager.
I had little knowledge at that time of the rich heritage of the band members or the origines of the music. To me it was just evocative of the fantasy world portrayed in the Roger Dean masterpiece on the front of the sleeve.
A couple of years later whilst on a trip to Glasgow with my girl friend Val I wondered into a record shop and there was a copy of Greenslade’s first album imaginatively titled Greenslade.
It was purchases forthwith and still resides in my record collection to this day. However, it was easy at that stage to be easily distracted by the heady synthesiser soloing of band counterpart Dave Lawson who is in his own right a very talented musician, from the whole of the compositions.
It wasn’t until some time later on when I got to see the band live that it dawned on me how gifted the founder member Dave Greenslade was.

I was moved to write this because Dave Greenslade passed away on June 14th 2026 leaving a wonderful legacy of music for us all to enjoy, covet and reminisce about.
From all out blues playing with the legendary Colosseum to the prog and Prog jazz tinged era of Greenslade, to his own solo Dave’s own solo work.
One of the things I have enjoyed the most about dave Greenslade’s music is the conventional playing and instrumentation he used over the years, rarely flashy or in your face, but atmospheric and subtle.
Needless to say I along with a legion of his fans went on to buy just about anything with Dave playing on it.

I was very fortunate to have been one of the many people to have met Dave Greenslade and found him to be a very quiet and unassuming man who had the gift of not only being a great keyboard player, but a musician that greatly enhanced the music and playing of those around him whether it be in the studio or on a stage.
God bless you sir and thank you for igniting my imagination as spotty faced youth and infuencing my musical path through life. A day of Greenslade music will be held at chez Progmeister in commemoration of your legacy and to remind me of much better days that you had a hand in making so. Rest in peace Dave, and thank you.

Tim
15-06-2026, 10:36
Holy shit, I didn't know he'd passed.

Dave Greenslade bought me a pint once and I was only 16. I used to live in Stamford and had to cycle home from De Montfort Hall to see them.

I was standing near the bar whilst the support act was on and he was there too. We got into conversation, not sure how, but he asked me how I'd got there and I told him on the train, but had to go home by bike, as there were no late trains. That was a 30 mile cycle ride. He was so impressed he bought me a pint and we chatted for awhile in the bar. A very gracious and gentle man. I've never forgotten that gesture.

RIP Dave

Floyddroid
15-06-2026, 10:37
Fantastic.

Barry
15-06-2026, 10:57
A beautifully written and moving in memoriam post you have written there Steve. I only know of Dave Greenslade's work with Colosseum, but I shall now keep an eye out for some of his other work.

Thanks for posting.

RIP Dave.

Alex_UK
15-06-2026, 11:45
Agreed, that’s a very nice tribute.

I don’t know his music, but will give it a try. RIP Dave.

Floyddroid
15-06-2026, 13:53
A beautifully written and moving in memoriam post you have written there Steve. I only know of Dave Greenslade's work with Colosseum, but I shall now keep an eye out for some of his other work.

Thanks for posting.

RIP Dave.

Thanks Barry

Floyddroid
15-06-2026, 13:53
Agreed, that’s a very nice tribute.

I don’t know his music, but will give it a try. RIP Dave.

Thanks Alex.