My eldest brother Chris passed away on Sunday 3rd March. He had survived Hodgkins Lymphoma when he was about 20 but has had several recurrences since.  
He lived in Aukland, New Zealand so I didn't see much of him but we always kept in touch.I last saw him last October when I returned from my USA trip as he was in the UK visiting my folks but he had suffered a relapse so was flying straight back to NZ for tests. Sadly they diagnosed full blown lung cancer and were only able to administer chemo and radio treatment to slow up his disease. I was planning to visit him at Easter for a couple of weeks but was told last sunday that he had gone very suddenly.
Chris was my first ever musical hero. He was a fantastic guitarist and played around the north east folk circuit alongside superstars like Lindisfarne although he never sought the limelight. Before he left home to study law, he took the trouble to teach me the basic guitar chords and I even learnt some ragtime finger picking from him. He never complained when I gave up the guitar to play bass and would always ask to see my Alembics whenever he visited.  
 He also helped me develop a very wide interest in music. From a very early age, each birthday or christmas would herald the arrival of some obscure LP that I often thought was rubbish (I was probably more interested in deep purple back then) but would listen to nonetheless. Without Chris I wouldn't be a Doobies fan or have an interest in Robert Palmer, James Taylor or Joan Armatrading. I'd probably never even have heard of Can let alone own some of their work. I think it's safe to say that without my brother's influence I'd probably never have taken up music.
 
His passing has left a huge gap in our lives that I doubt I'll ever fill.  
 
Graeme

My condolences on your loss, Graeme.  Prayers of surcease headed your way.
Mike

Graeme,
              I send my sincere condolences and positive kind thoughts to you and your family in this time of loss .
 
Wolf

Graeme,  
 
So sorry to hear of Chris's passing.  May the love that surrounds help to ease this pain.  I will hold you and your family close in this difficult time.  
 
Sincere condolences,
Art

My brother turned me onto Yes, Jethro Tull, etc.   Since my parents passing, he's my goto.  Prayers to you.  
 
Stephen

One of my my older twin brothers turned me on to the Grateful Dead, (he also turned me on- two driving forces in my life).  The other passed away from brain cancer 5 1/2 years ago.  My heart goes out to you Graeme.  The older we get, the more mortality stares us right in the face.  We should always strive to make the best of the time we have.
 
May the Four Winds Blow You Safely Home.
 
Bill, tgo

My condolences, Graeme.  Sounds like a cool guy, and those are the ones who always seem to leave too soon.
 
Peace,
John

My condolences from this side of the Caribbean sea...

So sorry to hear this, Graeme. We are all family. I'll be thinking of you. Take care.
-Sam

Graeme,
please accept my condolences.
I am very sorry to hear that.....
Oliver (Spyderman)

Sorry to hear this, Graeme. Hope you're holding up OK.
 
Karl

Very sorry for your loss.  Take care.

Graeme,
I'll double up on the positive healing thoughts for you.
We all need them sometime and we can all give them back.
 
I sincerely hope for the hollow emptiness of grief to soon be flooded with nothing but fond memories of Chris.
 
Peace

Cry not for me as I leave this world you know.  
I go to a far far better place.  
There is no hunger, no fear, no pain and no tears.  
Wrap your arms around those I leave behind.  
Be warmed by my memory and comforted by my eternal love.  
slawie

Graeme,  
 
Condolences to you and your loved ones.
 
John