I just heard that Oliver Nichols died yesterday.

He was only in his late thirties and died just minutes from his home in Tonbridge Wells.

He was walking down a country lane and was hit by a car and apparently died instantly.
I don’t know the details, like if the driver was drunk, or if they just both weren’t expecting traffic. But it just highlights how none of us can afford to be complacent with our safety, even in familiar surroundings.

Oli was an extremely talented musician and a composer.
He was slightly precocious but he had a great karma and AFAIK would help anyone. He certainly helped me on several occasions and played (keyboards) on a couple of my songs.

I first met Oli at Backtrack music recording studio (Croydon UK) where he took over as main engineer for several years. I’ve no doubt he also played and helped arrange on many of the sessions that he did, and probably not even getting a beer. He was that sort of guy.

I know he wrote at least one track on the Incantations Christmas album (unpublished as well as co-engineering it.
I naturally deeply regret not staying in touch with him, over the last 15 years. I haven’t even heard any of his recent compositions or records. But he lived a long way away and I never had the money to be able to afford to pay for his expenses,let alone his time properly.

Of course this was before the digital age, and I’d hope in these times, we’d be on email, chat and fans of each others MySpace pages (if either of us had one - LOL )

My condolences to Oli’s parents and I’m sure everyone who knew Oli wil feel the loss.

Oli was a great person and as I said a very talented song writer and musician. But he never really sought the limelight, so I doubt he leaves any published albums of his own for us to enjoy (and the Christmas album is still unplublished as well).

My memories of Oli will always be fond ones. I never once saw him angry, or depressed. He was always 100% enthusiastic and helpful. I am deeply shamed in comparison…

I can only regret now, not staying in touch. But you don’t know what you’ll miss until it’s gone.

I like to think of Oli watching over me now, saying “go for it”. He was totally unselish like that.

Thank You Oli!

It truly was an enourmous pleasure to have know you!

Peter.