I first met Kev in my early teens and he became one of my best buddies in those formative years. He, Jimmy Mennie and I formed a band called Black Dog, which played all over the North-East. The band was together only three or four years but it was one of the happiest periods of my life. Kev was a great guitarist, a total natural, and a fine songwriter as well. But more important than that, he was a great mate. He was always up for a laugh and had a mischievous sense of humour. Just remembering his cheeky grin makes me smile. It had been a few years since I last met up with Kev. I kept meaning to catch up with him for a few beers but somehow never did, and I will always regret that. I’m not sure if Kev believed in an afterlife. I’m not sure if I do, either. But, who knows, maybe a Black Dog reunion is still on the cards sometime! The most fitting tribute I can think of is the conclusion of a Robert Burns epitaph called “On A Friend”: “If there’s another world, he lives in bliss If there is none, he made the best of this.” Here’s to you, Kev – your old pals will always remember you and many a pint will be drunk in your memory. Cheers, mate. Duncan Black, 25.02.09