Talented guitarist 'lived for music'


25 September 2007 09:52

Carl Walpole.

A top Norfolk rock band has decided to quit as a mark of respect following the sudden death of its lead guitarist, aged just 33.

Tributes were today paid to Carl 'Carlos' Walpole, lead guitarist with The Cloudminders, who died at home in Acle on Friday, September 14. Friends and family have spoken of their shock at the death of Mr Walpole, who lived with his parents David, 62, and Carole, 60, in Damgate Lane. His father was so traumatised by his son's death that he suffered a heart attack and spent five days at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

He is now back home and, together with his wife, Carl's sister Tania Ling, 36, and her husband Graham Ling, 35, who was the singer with The Cloudminders, paid tribute to the talented musician who, they said, “lived for music”.

Mrs Walpole said: “Music was his life and was all he wanted to do. He used to practise his guitar for hours.

“It was a terrible shock because he died suddenly. We don't know how he died and are waiting for the results from the post-mortem. He had not been ill.”

Mr Walpole, a retired NHS worker, said: “He was a perfect gentleman, very well mannered and quiet. People were surprised that he was so kind because they just saw his long hair, which he'd had since he was about 13.”

The former Acle High School pupil started his first band, Primeval, with friends from schools. He was also in a band called the Glamrockers who appeared on the former Channel 4 TV programme The Big Breakfast. The guitarist was photographed with his arm around that show's presenter Gaby Roslin, which his parents said was quite a thrill for him.

Carl, pictured with the rest of The Cloudminders.

He had been guitarist with The Cloudminders for about eight years. They had won the Great Yarmouth Battle of the Bands competition and made it to the final of the Norwich Battle of the Bands competition.

Four years ago the band signed a two-year management contract with Cromer-based Amber Music Productions and they made an album at Ashwood Studios in Norwich. Mr Ling, from Halvergate, a chartered engineer who works on the North Sea oil rigs, said he had known Carl for about 15 years. They started playing music together in 1996 and set up the Cloudminders in 1999.

They had played countless gigs in the Norwich area and in London and the last gig they played was a week before August Bank Holiday at a bikers' festival in South Repps. They also played gigs for charity, including the Big C Appeal, and Anglia for Africa.

Mr Ling said: “Carl was the driving force behind The Cloudminders so we will not carry on without him.”

Andreas Yiasimi, of Amber Music Productions, said: “This is a sad moment for me, to try to grasp the sudden loss of a fine and talented musician who dedicated his life to something he believed in with a passion.

“Carl was such a caring person and he was a joy to work with. He will be missed by many, but his unique guitar playing will live on through his recordings. My deepest condolences go out to his family and the remaining members of the band.”

A funeral service is due to be held at St Faith's Crematorium on Tuesday, October 2, at 11am. The family have asked for flowers or donations for the British Heart Foundation to be sent to Arthur Jary and Sons Ltd, 213 Northgate Street, Great Yarmouth.

Would you like to pay tribute to a lost loved one who died too young? Call David Bale on 01603 772427 or e-mail david.bale2@archant.co.uk

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