Musical legacy will raise funds (From Stroud News and Journal)

Musical legacy will raise funds

A COUPLE whose only child was taken from them when he was on the cusp of adulthood have released a recording of his music to raise funds for the charity which gave them so much support.

Alex Fryer succumbed to the ravages of a brain tumour in April last year, when he was just 19. But his legacy will live on forever through his music, some of which was recorded with his friends Russell Mills and Luke Peacey just months before he died.

His mum Judie and dad Ken are marking the anniversary of what would have been his 21st birthday with the release of Top Side Down Life, with 10 tracks of his collaborations, plus another tribute track written by his mum and sung by his girlfriend Lorna Weaving.

"We just wanted to get his music out there," explained Judie. "And we hope it will raise money for the UK Brain Tumour Society at the same time."

As the News & Journal reported last year, the Marling sixth former from Eastington was an immensely popular lad who could not put down his guitar.

Hundreds turned out to his funeral, which gave Ken and Judie a great deal of support. Even though their world was turned upside down they were determined to make a permanent memorial to the son who had provided them with hours and hours of his compositions on his recording deck.

Extracting the songs safely without losing them was their overriding concern, which is why the process of turning the material into the finished article has taken around 18 months.

But thanks to initial work by Rik Loveridge and production by Ken's old friend, Steve Smith, the end result is a fitting tribute to a talented young musician.

Alex fashioned himself to an extent on Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and his voice comes across in a very similar way. But his influences were wide, taking in everything from Led Zeppelin to Jeff Buckley and beyond.

The title track was penned by him when he knew he had little time left and it portrays a young man coming to terms with his fate. The tribute track, tells of the immeasurable feelings of loss which his parents and many good friends are experiencing.

To hear his voice now gives them some comfort and no doubt it will for his friends too.

"I love his voice and listening to it," said Ken. "It's almost as if he's here." Copies of Top Side Down Life are available from Ken and Judie Fryer, 26 Alkerton Road, Eastington, GL10 3BJ, priced £5.99.

All proceeds from sales will go towards the UK Brain Tumour Society and cheques should be made payable to UKBTS.

Judie's book of collected poems and watercolour paintings, A Journey of Emotions, which she penned in the months following Alex's death is also available from them, priced £3.99.

For more, see this week's SNJ