17/08/2025
Lee,
I’ve sat down four or five times trying to write this, and every time the words have failed me. For someone who’s spent half their life talking for a living, that says a lot.
I guess that shows what a diamond you were, Lee. You’re not the kind of person anyone could sum up in a few sentences on an Instagram post.
From when we first met, twenty years ago in the then brand new Legends club, you always had time for me - time for everyone. You were the same person, whether you were on the bill at some international circuit party or playing to a crowd of seven, in a worn out colloquial hell-hole on a Tuesday night. That's so rare in this business. You were just 'you' - like it or lump it, warts and all.
There were so many times over the years that you really made me smile, on both sides of the DJ box. One that really springs to mind was when .daryl and I bumped into you in Gran Canaria, on the last day of our holiday. You had just checked in, and without even blinking, invited us both to move our flights and stay with you. I'll never forget the next night when a random friend of yours turned up, took ALL his clothes off and then proceeded to run out of the apartment (still naked) and get arrested, much to the horror of the hotel manager.
It's been about 15 years that I've been the voice of your podcast, 'Housenation UK'. I don't think you ever realised quite how huge-a-deal that was. Back when the scene was still finding its feet, you created something massive – even getting it properly licensed with PRS and PPL years before Mixcloud made that easy. The number of random places I’ve heard it playing still blows my mind.
You were always a prankster. I loved that... On reflection, at least I can now go to SBN without you pi***ng around playing podcast idents over your DJ set. Hearing your name (in my voice), booming out over a club sound system, whilst god knows WHAT is going on around and about, was both surreal and hilarious!
The DJ world really is missing a star, Lee. I still can't believe it, even as I'm sat here writing this, crying to myself.
❤️