In his latest column, the Tameside Radio presenter pays tribute to much-loved Tameside musician Keith Halligan, who has sadly passed away.

Last week the news broke of the sudden passing of one of Tameside’s most loved and respected musicians, Keith Halligan. 

As a man who had spent his life working around music, it seems he was somebody who everybody knew, and loved.

I had only known him for a few years, but in that space of time, he’d become a friend as much as somebody who I regularly worked with. 

He was genuinely one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet. 

I don’t know much of his background before I met him, but it seems musicians everywhere knew him, from his time as a guitarist in bands over many years. 

In the few years I had known Keith, I learnt that not only was he a great guitar player, most recently playing in the band The Capitals, who he was a member of with his son George, but also a well-respected member of the Tameside community.

He was also a music teacher in schools around Tameside, and just reading the outpouring of grief on social media since news broke of his untimely death, on Monday last week,  it’s very clear that all of the students he had ever taught, and fellow teachers alike, adored him. 

In his spare time he was a runner, a valued member of Hyde Village Striders Running Club, and had only recently married his wife Debbie. 

A few years ago, he set up Audioface, an audio and visual company based at Hyde Park House on Cartwright Street in Hyde, where he worked day and night, spending all of his spare time with his son George. 

As I write this, I realise that I didn’t actually know much about Keith’s personal life other than that in the music industry, and I’m sure there is so much about him that I’ve not included, and perhaps didn’t know, work, family and friends related. 

I personally first met Keith a few years back when, along with son George, they became head of visuals for Manchester online TV channel MMTV, more recently known as MancuniaTV, in which I host. 

Both Keith and George have been the easiest, most professional, and nicest people to possibly work with.

Since then, I’ve also worked with Keith on several other events and projects around Greater Manchester, and it’s only been three weeks since he kindly worked on some personal family films for me.

The interest he took in the work doing this really showed the kind of man he was. 

Writing this column this week has been very hard, knowing just how many people have been mourning his loss, and I know there is so much I’ve missed out about him. 

But as far as local musical heroes go in Tameside, Keith Halligan is at the very top of that list. 

I feel proud and privileged to have worked with, and known Keith for several years as a friend, he really was one of life’s great people.

My love and sympathy goes to his wife Debbie, son and best friend George, his family and work colleagues, and everybody who knew him. 

The Tameside music scene has lost a shining light far too soon, and both the Tameside community, and everybody who knew him, will never forget Keith Halligan.

Thanks for everything Keith, we will always miss you. 

You can listen to Dave on Tameside Radio 103.6FM on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. Click here to subscribe and catch up on previous shows.

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