Rod Stradling

We are so sorry to announce that Rod Stradling died just before Christmas. Rod’s association with the Prince Albert goes back at least 25 years when he and Keith Ryan, both relatively recently arrived in the Stroud district, had found each other and needing a place to set up a session, contacted the Prince Albert to discuss T&Cs (a few seats, good beer and a more or less tolerant pub clientele). The deal was done and Rod, Keith and a growing band of traditional muso friends played in the pub every Monday night, from 9pm until they were encouraged to go home to bed, for around 15 years. From that gathering of Monday night folk musicians grew another group of folks also firmly embedded in the Albert – the local Morris team held their post-practice rehearsals and as thirsts were quenched, songs would erupt. These songs morphed into the idea that the unusual carols heard in the Sheffield pub around Christmas time would go well here. So Rod, with his wife Danny, became founder members of the institution that has just celebrated its 25th Anniversary – the Prince Albert Carol Consort.

Rod was a titan of a musician. He played the melodeon superbly, with a very distinctive rhythmic style which was brilliant to dance to, and he was a fine singer of traditional songs. His most recent appearance at the Albert was in concert with another fine traditional singer, Ken Langsbury. Rod was one of originators of the folk revival of the seventies and played all over the country at numerous festivals and in many bands for over 50 years. He featured on many recordings and for many years ran the on-line magazine Musical Traditions which sought to bring the traditional music he so loved to the reach of all. Since news of his demise percolated throughout the folk music world, countless people have posted along the lines of ‘I wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t for Rod Stradling.’

He will be sorely missed and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends.