Ed O'Donnel and Brian Herbert

When I was a student at Leeds C of A, I made my beer money by driving Ed O'Donnel's band to gigs. I have just learned that he has died. Through him and the band I had a wonderful time as a student making many life long friends. One, Brian Herbert, has also just died, he had the Banjo chair nailed to his arse. When at school we rode the tram, and with him went his banjo. He discovered that if he hit a certain note, a fellow traveller on his way to work in Leeds would twitch. The poor mans ride was never the same after that. However back to Ed. Not only was he the leader of the band, but he was also the Male Model for the college. His wife Anne, taught jewellery at Leeds, in fact she made Sandy's wedding ring, and Ed was learning the craft to eventually teach it himself. One day I was working late on a graphics project, when Ed came into the studio, and asked if I had anything he could practice his engraving on. I had made a plain silver ring for myself and handed it to him. "What initials do you want on it" 'Oh put anything on it I replied" The ring came back with BALLS engraved on it in beautiful script. This ring became my pride and joy. I lost it some years later, and Sandy had him make me a replica, as a surprise. God knows where it is now. Brian eventually took up the guitar and if Eric Clapton had ever heard him on it he would have hung his up for life and taken up golf.