Van Morrison donated to a charity post the death of a close friend who was also the drummer in one of his earlier groups. The singer gave a massive contribution to Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke in memory of 78-year-old Roy Kane, who lived in Millisle.
Van Morrison accompanied it with the message.
“Sending heartfelt condolences to the entire family circle. Love you.”
Kane played with Morrison and former radio presenter George Jones in a band called The Monarchs during the late 50s and early 60s. George described Kane as a friend of more than 65 years and “a musical brother”. He said:
“I’m devastated. He was a one-off and the most lovable big eejit you could ever hope to meet. Van then continued stating, “I will miss him, but the memories of our musical journey together will never die. Rest easy, big son. You definitely left your mark.”
Kane was quoted extensively in several books about the singer-songwriter and the 60s and 70s music scene in Belfast.
In A Sense of Wonder by David Burke, the author described The Monarchs as “a boisterous outfit” who learned their trade on the showband circuit and who would launch into attention-seeking gimmicks with an emphasis on entertainment.
Asked about the background to Morrison’s classic song Cyprus Avenue, Kane said he and the other members of The Monarchs frequently used the street as a shortcut to Ballyhackamore.
He added the musicians all wanted to love Cyprus Avenue because it was “on the other side of the tracks” where the expensive houses were and where the best-looking girls lived.
He also recounted as a joke in an interview with Clinton Heylin that in the song Morrison was “singing about all the unobtainable totty”. In a book by Johnny Rogan, Kane blamed the Troubles for the demise of the Belfast music scene.
“People not only ghettoised themselves, they ghettoised music,” he said. He further added that while some people, such as himself, were cross-community, they were still afraid.
A funeral service for Kane will be held at his home in Co Down on Wednesday, before committal at Roselawn crematorium.