One of Liverpool's greatest country stars has died after a short battle with cancer.
Phil Brady died yesterday (Thursday), two weeks after his 82nd birthday.
The Country & Western singer never properly retired and was hailed as one of the most popular local musicians Liverpool has ever produced, who helped give the city its reputation as the "Nashville of the North."
The Dingle-born singer discovered country music after listening to the Armed Forces Network (AFN) during his early days, and from records brought back from America by his friend's dad, who worked on the Cunard Line.
Phil's parents bought him his first guitar at the age of 15. His first job was a shipping clerk, before moving to Liverpool University as a lab assistant, where he qualified as a Scientific Officer.
After doing his two years' National Service, he met and married his beloved wife, Barbara, in 1962.
David Bedford, who recently published a book on Liverpool's country music scene, said: "In the background of the dominant Merseybeat scene, country music in Liverpool was being recognised as the Nashville of the North, with the biggest country and western scene in Europe.
"Pioneered by the late Hank Walters and Kenny Johnson, Phil would become the third great name to follow the country route.
"He first formed a trio, before becoming Phil Brady and the Ranchers in 1963, the group that would go on to become the number one country group in Britain."
The group became resident at the Blue Angel on Monday nights, The Chequers Club on Tuesdays, the Four Winds on Wednesdays and the Marine Club on Thursdays, with the other nights filled with appearances all over Merseyside.
However Phil was more than just a local performer. He and his group were soon supporting some of the biggest names in country music, travelling all over the UK and Europe with the likes of Willie Nelson, Slim Whitman and many more.
A 1965 recording, An American Sailor At The Cavern, is the UK's most collectable country single after it appeared on the Cavern Club's own short-lived record label.
In 1970, he and the Ranchers received an award at the inaugural Country Music Association awards from Roy Orbison for Best British Group.
David added: "I spent the last few years detailing Phil's story for my book The Country of Liverpool, which was published just after he had become ill at the end of 2020.
"Phil was a great story-teller and I was proud to call him a friend."
Phil is survived by his wife Barbara, children Phil Jnr and Corinne, plus grandchildren Scott, Kesha and James.
