Kevin Pocknee - RIP

Tony Marino called me today to inform me that Kevin Pocknee passed over last night. I'd heard on the grapevine that Kevin wasn't well but wasn't quite expecting this result so soon. I've played with Kevin in several bands, over nearly four decades, and he was very gifted drummer. On top of that he was a funny, lateral thinking sort of man. You never knew quite what was coming your way when Kevin made an appearance, and that's how he was, he had a larger than life persona. He called a spade a spade and worse. My last memories of Kevin was from the Latrobe Valley Rhythm and Blues Club at the Newborough Football Club's rooms drumming up a storm. He was looking quite satisfied with himself that he'd put enough 'energy' into the drumming. Earlier in the year, Kevin was at the Moe RSL, when I was performing with 'Flashback'. Kevin sat a few tables away, glaring at Garry Downs to play a bit 'harder'. At every break, Kevin asked Garry if he could show him 'how it was done'. Garry politely declined each time. Kevin finally took the hint, grumbling away as he left.

Kevins lateral humor was told to me in this anecdote: In the 'old' days, there used to be a fruit fly quarantine check station just out of Bairnsdale. Kevin decided to give the officer in charge a bit of a surprise. Kevin hid in the boot of the car. When the officer requested a look in the boot, the boot was duly opened only to have Kevin leap out of the boot. While prancing around, Kevin was singing "I'm Louie the Fly, I'm Louie the Fly ..." The look on the officers face must have been worth framing. It's not often that you are in a group of 'like minded' musicians, where we all 'fed off' each others musical growth to 'push the envelope'. Right place at the right time. To top it off we did it twice: In 'The Mystics' and 'Stoned'! I have lots and lots of memories of Kevin, and I'm glad we left nothing unfinished between us. The muso's that have left before us have gained a great drummer. RIP Kevin.

In Memorium

The Herald Sun

POCKNEE. The funeral of Mr Kevin (KP) Pocknee will leave Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy, Traralgon on TUESDAY (Sept. 20) after a service commencing at 11 a.m. for the Gippsland Memorial Park Lawn Cemetery, Tyers Rd. Traralgon. MOE 5126-1111

The Express (Thursday)

POCKNEE. The funeral of Mr Kevin (K.P.) Pocknee, will leave Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 princes Highway, Traralgon, TUESDAY (20 September, 2005) after a service commencing at 11am for the Gippsland memorial Park Lawn cemetery, Tyers Road, Traralgon.
Please no flowers by request, any donations towards the funeral will be greatly accepted. Enveopes available at the Chapel.

POCKNEE, Kevin John (K.P.)
On 12 September, 2005 suddenly at home in Moe.
Aged 54 years.
Husband of Alice.
Father of Melissa, Marty and Melanie. Grandfather of 9 lovely grandchildren.
Drumming at the crossroads.

POCKNEE, Kevin John. 12/09/2005
I loved you more than you will ever know. I'll see you in my dreams.
Your other half Alice.

POCKNEE, Kevin.
We weren't very close we know that's true, but there will always be a part of me with you.
Your son Martin, Jayne Kaitlin and Lucie-Jayne. At peace.

POCKNEE, Kevin. KP
My mate, my brother, rest easy. 'Scuse me while I kiss the sky.
Tony.

POCKNEE, Kevin.
To Alice, Melissa, Martin, Melanie and families. Your heartfelt embrace will surely be missed. KP. Our warmest thoughts: Mum, Mariet, Claudio, Karra, Jenna, Samantha and Mitchell.

POCKNEE, Kevin (KP)
Our sincere condolences to wife Alice, daughters Melanie and Melissa, son Marty.
Sadly missed, never forgotten.
Bob and Sue, William, Bonnie and Daniel.

POCKNEE, Kevin 12/09/2005
Suddenly at home with us.
To our good mate and family friend, KP, you will be sadly missed, but happily remembered.
Loved by Bob, Dianne, Rob and Kick.

The Express (Monday)

POCKNEE, Kevin.
In our hearts forever.
Maria.

POCKNEE, Kevin.
Passed away 12 September 2005.

HOUSE DRUMMER EXTRAORDINAIRE

Will be sadly missed by all at the Gippsland Rhythm and Blues Club.
RIP.

The Goodbye's

The funeral held at Traralgon was a heartfelt affair. Anecdote after anecdote about his relationships. As hard a man as he was to get to know, he sure reached a lot of people. As part of the service, a slide show of various pictures of Kevin from a tiny tot to quite recently. Alice acted as the voice of Kevin, explaining each picture. The final part of the service was a video of Kevin performing in 'The Headcutters'. He was in fine form. By the end of the service there wasn't a dry eye in the place.

The next stop was the Traralgon cemetery, where we all finally sent him off. One of the officials announced that "I know Kevin would think this is woossey, but, I have a basket of rose petals for those that wish to say goodbye." I didn't take up the offer, I offered one of my plectrums. Tony Marino told me later that he had given Kevin a picture of the three of us, to keep him company on his trip to the other side.

The final part of the day, the wake, was held at the Newborough Footbal Club Social Rooms, the home of the Gippsland Rhythm and Blues Club. Musicians had been invited to bring their instruments and have a 'jam for Kevin'. This was duely done and we had the place rocking. In keeping with the sentiment of the day, a lot of patrons left their ego's outside the door in their musical offering to Kevin. The afternoon ended with a rendition of "Knocking on Heavens Door" with as many people on stage as could be managed.

The Rhythm and Blues Club have decided that the September jam will be dedicated to the memory of Kevin.

Kevin would be proud!

... and then there was two!

P.S. On a similar note, I received a phone call informing me that a friend of mine, Kevin Hunt, from the old Trainee days of the SECV was killed while riding his motorcycle on Saturday. Seems a car turned in front of him resulting in a fatal collision. Must be something in the air!