During yesterday's tribute to Peter Lucas, his widow Su performed with the band he helped form, Hot Tamale Baby. (For more pictures click here)
Warrnambool Standard 12th April 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
During yesterday's tribute to Peter Lucas, his widow Su performed with the band he helped form, Hot Tamale Baby. (For more pictures click here)
WARRNAMBOOL'S music community came together at a gig yesterday to remember and farewell Peter Lucas, founding member of the band Hot Tamale Baby.
More than 350 people visited the Old Collegians football clubrooms to hear Marco Goldsmith, Piffen Yonnies, Slap 'N' The Cats, Hot Tamale Baby and other performers sing in honor of one of the city's best-loved musicians.
Peter's wife and fellow Hot Tamale Baby member, Su Mellersh-Lucas, said yesterday she was impressed by the turnout. Many of the patrons had travelled from Melbourne for the day.
"It's come together very easily. I had an army of people come forward. I've actually been forced to relax," Mrs Mellersh-Lucas said.
"It's a tribute to the sort of person Pete was, that he could inspire this sort of recognition, and that's what a lot of people have been saying to me. He's here enjoying it, I'm sure. This is the sort of thing he loved.
"Musicians are a very close-knit community and we're seeing it here this afternoon."
Yesterday marked the launch of Hot Tamale Baby's self-titled CD, which Mrs Mellersh-Lucas said was focused on moving the band to the festival circuit.
"This is very appropriate to launch it today, when all the people who are here are friends, so I know that they're probably behind the CD for other reasons."
She was unable to predict the future of the band. "I haven't given it any thought, because Pete was the heart and soul of Hot Tamale Baby and without him it's very hard for me to make any decision,"
"It will take time, so in a way today is an important statement because it's a way for Hot Tamale Baby to say goodbye to Pete as well."
Mr Lucas was 48 when he died of a heart attack last month, seven years after he was told by doctors a genetic heart condition meant he had only six months to live.
. . . (Report: TANYA DOOLAN. Picture: LEANNE GOURLEY)