 MEDIA
INFORMATION - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORMER MEMBER OF HIT-MAKING GROUP
ABRAHAM'S CHILDREN PASSES AWAY
UXBRIDGE, ONT, September 11, 2007 -
Brian Cotterill, vocalist and drummer for the top 40’s pop
group Abraham’s Children, passed away today at the age of
55 after a courageous battle with cancer. The band, which included
bandmates Jimi Bertucci, Bob McPherson and Ron Bartley, saw great
success with songs like “Goodbye Farewell”, “Goddess
Of Nature”, “Thank You” and their biggest hit
“Gypsy”, on which Cotterill sang lead vocals. When
asked about his friend, Bertucci, founder of the group, simply
said, "Brian made playing in a band fun."
Most recently Cotterill had formed a new
band, Trypp, with fellow musicians Paul Cormier, Richard Joudrey
and Screamin’E and were set to release their 2nd CD titled
“7 Deadly Sins”.
No funeral will be held in respect of Cotterill’s wishes.
However, a gathering to celebrate his life is being planned for
close friends and family.
Thank-you Marisa. Hard to believe that Brian is gone. He is surely
not forgotten. The Seventies were so exciting for Canadian musicians.
Brian and Abraham's Children played significant parts in the
ultimate history of Canadian rock n' roll. Yours in great music
...Nevin CKOC Radio Hamilton
Jimi, it was so great that you were at
the party yesterday, a nice chance for all the Babies to be together
and share the old times, we'll all just miss Brian so much, but
I know he was there with you guys....why wouldn't he be? His
wish was fulfilled, and for that I'm so grateful. Thanks, and
take care, Ginny
Hi Marisa, I’m saddened to hear of
the passing of Brian and please send my condolences to his family
on my behalf. As you know, I am also battling cancer and relate
in a very intimate way to this news. Fortunately, my condition
is stable however, I make sure I live every single day to it’s
fullest as I’m sure Brian did. As Jim said “he made
playing in a band fun” and I’m don’t doubt that
he inspired many others throughout his life. My thoughts are
with you all Marc. chambers@mediatechgroup.com
1050 CHUM Tioronto
Just heard the news. Very sad. Please
give his family my regards and deepest sympathy. Peter Foldy
- Hollywood, Ca
I wanted to pass along that Brian Cotterill
(original drummer for Abraham's Children) passed away yesterday
of cancer.He was 56 years old and will be greatly missed by his
family,many friends and the numerous people he shared a stage
with over the years. - Ted Bass tbass@uppercanadaos.com
613 547 8070 Ext.266
I was very sorry to learn about Brian
Cotterill's death earlier this week. So many of our wonderful
musicians are passing so young. Just two weeks ago, Doug Riley passed away suddenly.
Such a tragedy. Thanks so much for your help! Take care, Gloria
- ThunderRockRadio - Oshawa Canada
The idea of sharing many
years with someone in a very intimate musical relationship is
triompho. It was a brotherhood. The bond was more than we could
have ever expected. Then, to lose one of those special people,
serves only to awaken the life in ourselves. All we can do is
continue doing what we do best. Brian was making music till the
end. I loved Brian and will miss him and think of him forever.
Ron Bartley - AC
When I think of Brian Cotterill I get
that feeling in my stomach that makes me laugh out loud. Brian
was the kind of best friend that makes me thankful for having
shared some of his time. We both grew up in Scarborough, an east
suburb of Toronto and found each other through our mutual friends
who wanted to play the kind of music that was typical of what
we called the "Toronto sound''. We watched and listened
to the R&B / Rock bands that played the bars and school dances
around Toronto in the 60's and spent many, upon many hours together
trying to emulate our favorite musicians and Brian always made
it fun. He loved to play and never complained when our practice
sessions would go long into the night. He was a real ''half full''
kind of guy who always made our work fun. Brian was a real talent.
He could play and sing with ease and made those of us who played
with him better at what we did. Most of what happened with our
musical careers was a result of hard work but we could never
explain the ''MAGIC'' that was Abraham’s Children. Jimi,
Ronnie and I started with the same ambition but it all seemed
to come together when Brian brought his skill and infectious
sense of humor to the band. I will miss Brian Cotterill with
a tear in my eye and a smile on my face .Bob
McPherson - AC
I will be doing a tribute to Brian tonight
on CHUM between 7-7:30 PM. I'm going to play a segment of the
50th reunion show when Jimi Bertucci was an
in-studio guest, and Brian called in. We talked about the Toronto
music scene of the 1970s, Canadian Idol etc. You can listen via
the stream at
www.1050chum.com if you're not located within the station's broadcast
range. If you want me to do so, I'll be happy to e-mail an mp3
of the segment, just reply to this. Scott Carpenter
To Brian's wife and friends, our condolences.
Scott Carpenter
Very sad about Brian just read it on line...so
sorry. Teso - Jamacia
my condolences jimi. i know you guys went
back a long way. gain strength from everyone's well wishes, and
pass them on to his family and friends.
Dan Brisebois - CanConRox - BC
Very sory to hear...if he was a friend
of yours....he must have been agreat guy. better times drjingles
(Lawrie) Toronto
Sorry to hear about your drummer Brian
that died of that dreaded illness known as cancer. I never had
heard of your band but will go on to Limewire and hear your band
in memory of Brian. Sincerely Max Brand
Very sorry to hear that Jimi. You guys
went back forever and a day. My sincere condolences and the best
to his family and friends. Andy E. - Kingston, Ont.
So sorry man, the world needs more drummers
not less. Keith - Manitoba
Condolences, Jimi. Sounds like Brian was
a fighter. Jaimie - Bullseye Records Canada
Brian will be missed but his memory and
music live on. John S. Nova Scotia
It's sad when we hear of someone passing
that has been on the radio for decades. We will miss you Brian
- Janet Wilson - New Brunswick Canada
Hi,
I just recently came across the website of Abraham's Children,
oh the memories came flooding back to 1974 when they played at
our school Queen Elizabeth Composite High in Edmonton, my girlfriends
and I had the opportunity to meet and spend sometime with them.
It was a wonderful day and one that won't be forgotten. I received
at the time their drum cover signed by all four.(Jimi, Brian,
Ron, Bob) One of them had the nickname SquirrIey, I think it
was Brian. I kept the drum cover around for years until my parents
decided that it neeed to go once I left home. After touring the
website, I was sadden to hear about Brian, I still remember his
sense of humor and how the four of them could be the best of
friends one minute and angry the next and it was Brian who always
turned things around. When we the girls get together and reminisce
about old times, this is alway brought up, I wonder what happened
to Abraham's Children and now I can share the website with them.
This has been a great afternoon touring the website and catching
up on Abraham's Children.
Carol
Fort McMurray, AB
I am devasted upon hearing about Brian. I first met Brian in
St. John's, NF. (late 60's) and then again when I moved to Toronto
( in early 70's) and we were good friends until I moved west
(in the late 70's). There has not been a month or day that I
have not wondered if he was happy and doing well. He was a very
special person and the world is a better place for having him
in it. My condolences to his wife and family. I too lost someone
very close to me and at the same age and from the same disease.
He is always with you!
Globe & Mail Uxbridge, Ont. -- Brian
Cotterill, vocalist and drummer for the top-40 pop group Abraham's
Children, died of cancer yesterday. He was 55.The band, which
included Jimi Bertucci, Bob McPherson and Ron Bartley, was formed
in 1968 and played under a series of names including Captain
Midnight's Dirty Feet before settling on Abraham's Children.
In 1971, the band was part of a legendary concert on Toronto's
Centre Island and released Hot Love, it's first hit. Later, it
enjoyed success with such songs as Goodbye Farewell, Goddess
of Nature and Thank You. Their biggest hit, Gypsy, was a single
for which Mr. Cotterill sang lead vocals. www.globeandmail.com
I want to thank you for the tribute you
have done for Brian. I was his neighbor for a few years in Uxbridge
and we became very close friends. He was one of those guys who
touched everyone he met. He loved music and his dream was to
hear himself back on the radio again. That happened with Trypp
and I'll never forget the smile on his face and the excitement
he had. He was so modest,I think that's what made him so special.
I keep in contact with his wife Ginny,her heart is broken and
she misses him so much. We all do and I am honored to have been
his friend.
Thanks again.
Dave Sangwin,Port Perry,Ont
I was deeply saddened to learn of Brian's
passing. I met him through my sister Alyson in 1975 when I bought
half the Fibes drum kit he was using then.I had already learned
quite a lot by playing along to his music and it was nice to
have some of his drums. My deepest condolences to his family,friends
and fans. Ian Smith Toronto
Brian and I met in September of 2004 through
mutual friends. I just moved to Uxbridge and hadn't played since
1999, when Brian asked me if I'd like to come out and try out
for the band he was with at the time, "The Little Ricky
Band". We travelled to Port Perry every week to practice,
and this is where I got to know Brian. We played a few gigs here
and there for about a year, but grew tired of showing up to practice
and one of the guys wouldn't show up. Brian and I shared a great
passion for music and we both had a desire to write our own music,
so in November of 2005, we formed TRYPP (or Trip as it was at
that time). We practiced at his place and after a month and half
had written 10 songs which kind of shocked us both. I would have
chords and structure to the songs, and Brian had this special
gift for writting melodies and words. We rented a Bose recording
machine which neither one of us knew how to operate, but somehow
managed to get a recording out of it. So we miked his drums,
I put in my keyboards direct and we recorded together the drum
and keyboard tracks. We then layed down the vocal tracks which
at times we did harmonies together rather then put them on seperate
tracks. Brian was such a simple guy, not much into anything electronic,
didn't want to unplug the Bose in fear we'd lose everything.
I assured him it would be all right and we went over to Main
Street Music in Uxbridge and worked with the Tatooted Kid to
help clean up the tracks. We had local musicians complete the
guitar tracks. We released our first CD in June of 2006. He was
such a great guy, never said a bad thing about anyone, never
burnt any bridges, just a simple, humble individual who loved
his wife Ginny dearly and just loved life in general. Brian,
there is not one day since you passed away that I haven't thought
of you. TRYPP is living on as you requested and I think you'd
be proud of us all if you were here. I miss you dearly my friend,
and you will always be in my thoughts, as we shared a lot in
a short time. Paul Cormier - TRYPP Toronto, Canada
I know I am probably very late with my
condolences. I just learned of Brian's death last week. I met
Brian in the early '70's when he was the drummer for the Babies..in
fact I still have a photo of Jimi at my friend's cottage. Oh
my little squirrel, you will never be forgotten Brian. You were
so much fun, you made us all laugh and laugh especially me with
your "this is the squirrel talking" lines...I loved
you so much dear friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to your
wife and family Brian.
Chrissy..
Dartmouth, NS
IF WE MISSED SOME OF
YOUR EMAILS
TO BRIAN WE APOLOGIZE
AND WILL GET THEM UP SOON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS.
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