World-famous Whitesnake guitarist Mel Galley is seriously ill with cancer, the 59-year-old Staffordshire musician has revealed today.
The rock legend from Cannock has broken the devastating news to friends that he only has a short time to live after recently being diagnosed with the disease. It comes just a month before the star was due to take to the stage again with a new band after years away from the spotlight. Mel said: “It happens, but I’ve had a fantastic life.
“I have been very lucky. I have seen some great bands, and played with many great musicians.”
“And I have enjoyed some tremendous experiences. I am thankful that I can say a proper goodbye to all the friends I have made, who are now rallying round me.”
Former Deep Purple star Glenn Hughes is expected to fly over from his home in California to see Mel.
The two first played together in Finders Keepers and then Trapeze, alongside drummer Dave Holland, gaining great critical acclaim but failing to break into the big time.
When Glenn left to join Deep Purple, Mel held Trapeze together for several more albums, taking over the singing duties before playing with The Blue Jays and then Whitesnake.
After breaking his arm, which was further weakened by a disease which ate away most of the nerves, he fought back to play again with the help of a special brace, nicknamed The Claw.
Mel was due to mark his 60th on March 8 but celebrations have been brought forward to next week.
Best friend John Hackney, who has known the star for 45 years, said: “It is killing us but we are taking strength from him. He has had an absolutely wonderful life most people can only dream of. He said he wants to thank everybody for their expressions of love.”
Last year he hit the headlines when he and his ex-policeman friend John Ashley confronted an impostor who had spent around 10 years impersonating him.
At the same time he took to the stage again, playing two songs at Cannock’s Tackeroo nightclub.
14 Comments
so sad to hear. thoughts are with him and his.
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This is devastating news; I was at the Tackeroo last year when Mel performed at the custard Beast gig. His pefrormance was electrifying and it was an honour to see him play; he is a truly gifted musician. My thoughts are with Mel, his family and friends.
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What tragic news i remember seeing mel with whitesnake at birmingham odeon when whitesnake were a proper band.Very sad news i just hope he can look back on his memories and know that he was a well respected musician and his fans will miss him
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Couldnt have wished for better neighbours. Mel and his wife are the nicest people you could meet.
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We met Mel when we went see Glenn Hughes at JBs and he was a real gent and very willing to give us his time. We were so looking forward to seeing Mel in concert at the Tackeroo next month.
Our thoughts are with you Mel . . . and ‘Love Ain’t No Stranger’(which Mel co-wrote with David Coverdale) will always be one of our favourite Whitesnake songs.
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Sorry to hear about illness, hope you recover if possible. Some great rock n’roll music comes from Whitesnake. In fact, just 2 days ago I was watching the video to “Is this love” on You Tube. Great song and video. Lady in that video always gives me the hots. Also while training for football/soccer last week, was listening to “In the still of the night”, that song took me back to my high school days. One of my all time favourite songs. Never knew that a band member from the group was from somewhere close to my neck of the woods near Wolverhamtpon.
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What very sad news !
Anyone who ever saw Trapeze (Whatever the line up !!) back in the day will know what a fantastic performance Mel always gave, even if sometimes there were only a couple of dozen of us there !
All the very best mate !
Happy Happy Days !
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the shepherds hut and eating grapes on haystacks on a wintery day in july,the green woodpecker ,the grasshopper warbler, the songthrush standing proud atop of the highest tree. the songbirds are still singing for you my friend.ive got a pebble for every peak, pity we cant place them there together.god bless you my dear friend
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very sad to hear this news our thoughts are with mel his wife and family.from
jacqui & sue.
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This is very sad news! I came to know Mel, and Dave Holland with Trapeze in the mid 1970’s working as a disc jockey and air personality with KISS-FM, later with KEXL in San Antonio and in Corpus Christi at KNCN(C-101). The last time I saw Mel with Glenn Hughes and Dave Holland was just over ten years ago when Trapeze had reformed with an extra guitarist(can’t remember his name)and they played an outdoor parking lot venue next to the Freeman Coliseum where the AT&T center now sits…it was during San Antonio’s annual Fiesta celebrations and many bands had performed. Mel’s “CLAW” brace was so unusual but he was still able to play with tremendous fire! I especially love the style of Trapeze which I dubbed “Heavy Metal Funk” …just listen to Midnight Flyer and other selections by Trapeze and you’ll see and hear what I mean. And my fondest recollection was when I had to leave their soundcheck that afternoon to go to work and as we said goodbye, he leaned over to give me a little kiss on the cheek and he hugged me and said thanks for all the support and love I gave to him and band during their early years when I played their music on the radio. GOD BE WITH YOU, Mel! Your friendship and kindness with always remain in my heart…ROCK ON, MY BROTHER!!!!!
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Mel Galley changed my life. the minute I heard Trapeze, there was no turning back. Then there was Whitesnake. I can’t think of another guitar player that influenced and shaped my style like Mel did. I have had dreams of being in a band with Mel…
God bless you Mel. Take extra strings and a spare Laney Supergroup with you. I’ll be listening with the rest of us.
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I first saw/heard Mel with Trapeze back in 1971 at Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, FL. For the next three weeks I couldn’t get the guitar riff of, “Touch My Life”, out of my head. I still play it at sound checks to this day. His style, sound and showmanship changed everything for me and I knew that I wanted to be a guitarist from that night. His influence on my playing is huge and undeniable. That concert is still one of the most powerful and wonderful memories of my life. Mel is a gift to the world and my prayers are with him and his family and friends. Mel………I love you brother. You are my hero. Rest easy in God’s love. John 11:25,26
DD
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I remember seeing Mel with Trapeze several times at Mother’s in Birmingham in 1970. Those gigs were
absolutely outstanding with Glenn Hughes on vocals complimented by Mel’s unique guitar playing. A
couple of years later Trapeze were to make one of the best rock albums of all time: You Are The Music
We’re Just The Band. Mel was a great hero of mine in those days as I too played guitar. He once
answered a letter (circa 1972) I sent to Melody Maker asking what strings he used on his guitar.
I still remember - Rotosound 1st, 2nd & 3rd and Gibson Sonomatic 3rd, 4th and 5th…..so that’s
how you got that sound!
Mel ‘You Touched My Life’. Our hearts are with you and always will be.
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Texas loves Mel. Houston music hall shows that brought the house down, The Hut in Galveston,
& Dallas shows …still have yet to be equalled.
God bless you Mel from all of Texas. We love you!!!!
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