‘In memorium’

Chris Kirtley passed away on 10th August 2022. 

He had won the battle with many cancers since 2010 and I called him ‘my bionic man’ but the last one took him.  He was such a strong, resilient, loving man who was a joy to know and love and marry in April 2022.

I met Chris when he just started out on the London pub scene in 1976, and I met him again in 2019, by then a seasoned piano entertainer on the cruise ships in Norway. I am so glad he was able to have made music his career throughout his life.

His many admirers and musical friends share my sadness in losing such a talented and beautiful soul.

 

The Duelling Pianist - Book by Chris Kirtley

Synopsis Duelling Pianist. The very choosing of this title and meaning is a fight between two persons. Or is it? This book as it unravels would have the reader believe that this is fictional, but it is really more factual, the author drawing on years of life experience, especially in the music industry. Chris the piano player has Rick as his alter ego. Yvonne his wife, a nurse, and Ed his son. Chris the husband and family man who seems to be at peace when in that role, and that it is because of the amazing family that he grew up in. He wants that so much for his own family now. Chris has spent his entire life in the music world, and it is a huge part of his soul and when he shares his music it is evident that he expresses himself and brings joy to his listeners. He has travelled far and wide and spent countless days and hours away from his family. So here he is, two totally different people, Chris the family man and much of the book shares that part of himself with Yvonne and Ed. Then Rick who is the rock and roll part of his ego, “The moth to the flame,” part of his “other” side perhaps. The conflict is the fight between two parts of his soul – which is now being shared with the readers without them realizing, but only seeing this as a story of two musicians, with their very different relationships. Chris who is trying to control his alter ego but loves the exciting part. Hopefully an interesting read and powerful as this author is sharing many years of being two characters. The husband of Yvonne, and father of Ed which gives him the stability of the loving family. This was an enormous part of his life with a mother, also his best friend, who provided a safe haven. Then the undeniable Rick who gets lost in his music and the applause that he gets is where the conflict of the two souls meet. The blissful feeling of being part of a family with its safe cocoon and the other part of the author who feeds on the gratification of playing his music.

Please contact swilby123@gmail.com if you would like a copy of Chris’s book.

 

 

Contact Information

For more information please contact:

email: chriskirtley@yahoo.ie