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Alan Balfour

Blues Scholar

I first met Alan Balfour, who died of pneumonia in
Southampton on 8th October 2024, back in the

mid-80s. He contacted me as I had been writing
for Austrian magazine “Blues Life” and for “The

Living Bluesletter” for a few years, and he told me
that he was looking for someone with a wide blues

knowledge to help Neil Slaven and himself with “Blues
Records 1943 – 1970”—I didn’t
even know anyone else who read

these things! I met them both at a

central London pub and many
interesting and usually slightly
drunken nights followed.

I knew Alan’s name of course; he
was a vastly-experienced and

highly-respected blues writer for

many magazines – blues and
beyond - and wrote innumerable
sleeve notes. He seemingly knew

everyone on the UK blues scene

and he was generous with his
knowledge.

I recall him introducing me to Steve
Rye and persuading me to
interview Bob Pearce, whom he

championed, for “Blues Life”. But

Alan was often very private,
working quietly in the background and ready—I almost wrote “preferring”
- to let others take the credit. I do recall though many times coming back from

100 Club gigs with Brian Harman – the driver, Brian’s friend Pete, would be

sober – when he’d talk about Lightnin’ Hopkins (his favourite bluesman), ask
how my interviews had gone, or mention new releases – things got quite
heated when Brian was not totally complimentary about a new Hop Wilson

release. He was passionate for the blues, and I’m saddened to think he’s no
longer with us.

Norman Darwen