In the summer of 2003, at the age of 52, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This was a terrible shock, as I had not been ill. The cancer had been caught early, and it was decided that an operation was needed within a couple of months. I was praying that this would not take place before Runrig’s 30th Anniversary concert at Stirling Castle, to which I had been so looking forward, and my prayers were answered! What a memorable gig that was! During these hard times, Runrig’s music, and Bruce’s own albums, together with the love and support of my wife Elaine, kept me going.
 
The day of my op, that November, was the first day of Runrig’s autumn UK Proterra tour, and I played Runrig music on my Walkman (remember them?!) all morning in the hospital bed to keep my mind off the afternoon op. Such beautiful music played non-stop put me in a trance-like state, and when it was time to go to theatre I practically floated there! Recovering in the hospital, I received a get- well card from Runrig signed by all the Band Members which a friend and fellow fan had organised. I was bowled over that they took time out from last-minute tour preparations to do this kind act.
 
My recovery commenced and I had my catheter removed on the last night of their UK tour! After a few weeks I managed my first five-mile hike through the Lancashire hills, and Bruce’s words from Proterra “As I climb the mountainside, breaking Eden again” resonated loudly within me.
 
Twenty years later, I’m still here, and the words “I’m alive again on a May Morning” are sung with gusto every year! I have attended many Runrig gigs, around forty I think, both here in the UK and also in Germany. I’ve also been lucky enough to see Bruce perform his solo work twice in Germany, thanks to friends made through the Fan Club.
 
Bruce’s solo album “Of Your Son” was my very first internet purchase, way back in 1998. I had to find out what this ‘New Guy’ was all about. We had a computer at work, so one lunchtime I ‘borrowed’ it and tracked down the album on a Canadian website – it wasn’t available in the UK. With my heart in my mouth, I put my card details on-line and pressed ‘send’, but I needn’t have worried, as the album, ordered on a Wednesday, popped through my UK letter box just three days later, on the Saturday! And what an album, I was knocked out by these songs. I knew then what a huge treat we were in for with Bruce as the new frontman. When I told Bruce this little story after his gig in Wuppertal, he was kind enough to autograph the album cover for me. A lovely touch.
 
One of those Runrig gigs took place at our local theatre, Preston Guild Hall, where the stage was only around three foot high, and from the front row, I was really close to the band, almost directly opposite Bruce. We were all singing along, when they started to play ‘Road Trip’, one of my favourite songs. I was singing the first verse when Bruce noticed. He walked over to me, squatted down, looked me straight in the eye, and we belted out the second verse together. He kept the mic, of course, as doubtless I wasn’t in tune! But at that moment, for me, there were only the two of us in that theatre, not the 1,500 or so that were actually there. All too soon, he smiled and got up again, but that was an amazing moment I will cherish for ever.
 
When it all came to an end at that wonderful, but extremely emotional, gig at Stirling five years ago, I felt an emptiness inside me, and now, with Bruce’s sad passing, that emptiness is back again. I feel deeply sorry for those he has left behind, both his own precious family, his fellow Runrig Band Members, his friends, and indeed the whole Runrig community. He possessed a terrific voice, and he brought out the strengths in all his fellow Band Members. We will never see his like again, but at least we have his precious musical legacy, which will live on in all our hearts.
 
God Bless You, Bruce, may you rest in peace with the angels.
 
Ted Buckley