We’re really saddened to hear of the passing of Keith Bailey, AKA Keith da Bass or Missile Bass, he of the wonderfully legendary Here and Now (as well as those weather forecasts of his), one of the finest as well as one of the most influential bands on the (free) festival circuit back there both in terms of the music made and the attitude passed on. those base lines were delicious, and what a nice guy he was. RIP Missile

“It is with a heavy heart that i tell you Keith Bailey passed on peacefully in my arms at home this morning following a gruelling 18 month battle with cancer” said Mandie Catkins

This appears to be Keith’s last weather report from his Facebook page…

“Slate grey masses, long streaks, and grey rashes all melt into each other in a rather grubby, grainy, greasy garage kind of way that doesn’t suit anybody, really, but may just be a fair way into a complete change-round – although that’s not really due until early this afternoon… Old Sol’s pretty much wrapped up til then, anyway so while it’s not exactly doom n’ gloom, it’s still dimly grim, to be fair. And this far north, we’re feeling the weather change a bit more acutely – not too extremely, but definitely noticeably. It’s 19°c at the moment, and it’ll climb to maybe 23-24°c by mid-afternoon, which is respectable enuff for any englishman in summer, but certainly a release from the oppressive 36° heatwave we’ve had to cope with on and off… Here below, our capricious breeze is now whistling its off-key choons down from the northwest – but very quietly, so that the hedgerows and bushes and of course, the trees, have been left more or less to their own devices in this cooler, dimmer, but promising to get brighter and warmer morning… Enjoy the day, folks! :~}”

“Just prior to the start of another free tour in 1978, Here And Now recorded a John Peel radio session following a chance encounter with him at an open air gig at Meanwhile Gardens. The Peel session captures the essence of Here And Now well”.

Do check out the notes with the video (on YouTube) from Al Puppy of Kill Your Pet Puppy (as well as the excedllent photographs)