Thankyou so much for the music and the courage you showed we could never have gotten this far without you and your music your message …. I consider you a soldier in a world that is cruel and intolerant and for that I am and will always be eternally greatful for your contribution to the music and LGBT community.
I'm a straight guy who has listened to Jimmy's music since the beginning and boy oh boy has it helped me to banish my own demons through my personal traumas. Never stop creating these magical melodies Jimmy....just pure class👏😜
How not to share Jimmy’s emotion ! 30 years later the love that connects him to Marc is still present, I always thought there is something after death, I want to believe that they will meet again one day 🤗🌞 ; and don’t we say : « everything that does not kill us, makes us stronger » . So Jimmy, I think you have to be very strong ! 👍👍, but with a big heart….❤️
Mark worked with my mum. I was a teenage mum in 1984 and he was so so lovely and supportive, always making me laugh. What a loss, all these years later. His sun and star shone so brightly !!!
"Age of Consent" was a pivotal album in my youth, I was 14. struggling with my identity, and this angel voice sang the first two lines "Contempt in his eyes, As I turn to kiss HIS lips" WTF was this? I'm sure I wasn't the only one who felt less alone and somehow empowered, by that lyric. Jimmy has been a part of the soundtrack of my life ever since. "For A Friend" will always be among the most beautiful songs written about a truly ugly time in our history. R.I.P. Mark Ashton. All the brave men and women who fought against society's injustice and this terrible disease, thank you!!
I was in a catholic and did not understand why I felt like I did. I was 14. Age of Consent bought by my brother I stole. I saw on the back was all the ages of consent mostly 21 if it was not illegal. Also all the places where it was illegal and some was death. I was so young, but the Catholic church kept me in my place. I got married 2 kids abusive marriage. I left with my kids. At birth I was female bodied at birth. Finally after getting out of that awful marriage of abuse for both myself and children, I cried for days and I knew I had to do it. I had already tried to take my life twice.... So I got my kids together, told them I was transgender, explained it all with help of my friends at LGBTQ+..... So I got letters together and handed them out to my family that not only that I was transitioning and that I would then be gay. I was 37. My mum and dad...I was so honoured that they just hugged me and my dad said he didn't give a rats arse, I was his child and mum said she was not really suprised and told me I was very couragous. Both my brothers were not happy over the hears my elder brother keeps in touch now but I have lost my other brother. Only speaks when we need to, last time he spoke to me was 4 years ago when my mum had a serious accicent. I now have a husband of 7 years 12in total. Kids are happy (apart from PTSD thanks to the p.o.s who was their sperm donor!) I wish I could have helped in the struggles. But we have new ones now what with the new LG does not have conversion therapy BUT Trans do. It's 2022 ffs When are we just going to be living how we wish, consensule love. Dress camp if you wish, drag queens abound. The closet may be smashed down but there are plenty of joiners to replace them
Throu your eyes 80's were terrible times to live in because of AIDS... throu my eyes 80's were the best times ever because of you and your music, dear Jimmy. Thank you and God bless you
As 15 year old lesbian in 1984 your album saved me Jimmy. Thank you for braving it for the rest of us who came after. You did give a face and voice to the entire struggle, not just AIDS, coming out, being visible, being brave, braving violence. All. Of. It. Bless you.
Dear Jimmy, I used to buy your music scared that I would be seen. Your visibility helped me realise I was not alone in a pre internet, anti gay era. Sending love from Ireland x
what a wonderful remembrance. I lost over 500 friends during that time. I also met the love of my life who saved me from AIDS. I lost him just two months ago. To all the victims and the survivors, we shall persevere
bless you JImmy - you gave me courage to come out back in those same days myself. Your singing helped me to survive my own horrific childhood. Mark will surely be proud of you, looking down from the heavens (or wherever he may be). You are a hero and a wonderful warmhearted man. Hugs!
I shook a lot of buckets for the miners back then and was aware of the LGSM group but being a straight activist our paths never crossed (although we must have been on the same demos). Later, when I had the privilege editing the UK HIV magazine Positive Nation, we made sure that every year on the the anniversary of Mark's death, we ran an item on Mark and the LGSM group. He is one person I regret never having met. I imagine is he was a very, very special person. So sad he died too young. This is a moving tribute.
I have very clear memories from my teenage years with your music, I was 13 yo when your album came out...I still have it. You music helped a lot of people around the world. Thank you.
Hey Jimmy. Been sat on my own at home tonight listening to your music. Thank you so much for your music, I know I'm just a voice in the crowd, but I genuinely appreciate your message and your music. Thank you. J x
As an American, I only knew of who Mark was through the movie Pride. I'm sure he was exceptional man. I remember those times in the 80's very well. Your music made it bearable and helped us forget all who we lost. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories of Mark and reminding us Love will keep us moving forward. In Marks memory the fight will continue . 🤘
God bless you jimmy sommerville you and richard and your musical talent gave me some of the best memories of my life and i still have to this day all those old 7inch singles i bought back then..you are truly gifted souls😇
This is the first time I’ve ever left a comment on any social media site. I’m a straight white male who is only just finding out about Mark Aston after watching Pride in 2022. I was one of those people who laughed at, poked fun at the gay community when I was younger, I’d like to think it was lack of understanding or ignorance. I joined Sussex Ambulance Service in 1995 just as the Elton John funded HIV wing opened at Brighton General Hospital, we were still scared of HIV patients then. I’m so happy that the world has moved on and we can love and treasure people for who they are and not their sexuality, we owe so much to people like Mark Aston and everyone in that movement for educating us and moving the world forward. Thank you also Jimmy Somerville and your fellow friends and artists for all you have done along with people like Mark to make the world a fairer place. Good luck and best wishes. Pip.
"We appreciate greatly that you've changed your attitude. It's yet a long way to go until full social acceptance and we feel empowered that you've joined us there!"
I spelled his name wrong, Mark Ashton, I’ve been down a internet:you tube rabbit hole reading about him, he sounds like he was a human dynamo, it must have been a real honour to know him. We could do with having around now. I lived in Brighton for two years in the late 90s and found and attended my first Pride events there, I would like to say I have been an friend and supporter of the gay community for the last 20 plus years. I know you say you have a long way to go but I have two teenager children who don’t even consider being gay as anything different so maybe the next generation will really move things forward. Thanks for replying, it meant a lot.
SAME here, im straight white male, one year younger than mark, found him only through the film pride last year, god what an impact the film and bens performance as mark made on me, in 84,85 i had nothing in common with mark, but reading about him now, wow, what a lovely kind human being, how the world needs more like him rip mark,
The LGBT Community owes Mark a huge ammount because of the work he did and if it weren't for his work with the Miners that The Labour Party may not have adopted LGBT rights in 1986 because of the miners blcok vote.
Authentic Gay Blog you are so so right! Even here (in Germany.... or at least in certain parts) Mark is recognized as a very influencial person and the Movie PRIDE Made his Work widely known. he is an Icon to me
Good lord! Jimmy, your voice is stll so amazingly beautifull and you're such a great person! when will you come for a concert in Continental Europe? I live in Switzerland, but I would be ready to go to any big european city (Paris, Berlin, Milano) to see you!
Jimmy you are such a beautiful person in every conceivable way. If only everyone in the world thought like you darling. I'm so sorry for the loss of your brave friend and many others. The only thing I can say what a pleasure it was to walk on the earth the same time as them.
Oh Jimmy.. was there...terrible time....experience Post traumatic stress, depression, survivors guilt from it all....your music has helped me a lot... my absolute favorite lyric is..as I put down the telephone, the world it carried on...because I had no choice but to carry on..thanks for sharing..it helps..
cried over the song "for a friend" 30 years ago, still cried watching this video. Let´s still think of and fight for the ones who need protection and strenght from and living in a discriminating world. For the ones who still have to suffer for who they are and have no chance to speak for themselves.
Tears ... Jimmy has been such a seminal part of my life since the beginning of his career. I hope he truly understands how importnat he has been. In the 80's to suddenly see someonwe who was you was just so vital. The video of Smalltown Boy validated who I was ... I wasn't the only one.
Jimmy Somerville. Keep singing your amazing. Beautiful voice. Hope you enjoyed your chocolate. My friend met you once in a record shop he said what a lovely humble man you were. Xx
I was 17 when this record hit the charts, desperately struggling with who I was inside, struggling to be “straight” and yet drawn to the queer musicians and artists, I’m surprised no one worked it out. My friends, including my then girlfriend, used to dance our socks off to this song, we loved it, it was a floor filler at our discos. Of course, none of knew this story and listening to it now after hearing your story of when Mark died gives this song a whole new meaning. Thanks for sharing Jimmy. It’s poignant and beautiful and just a bit nostalgic.
You're music was so important to make us feel worthwhile during that horrible time, so many friends gone. I was just thinking of you and how much I enjoyed your music and to find this, wonderful! Thanks Jimmy.
Oh Jimmy Bless you!!! My only brother's name is on that quilt and he has been gone now for 5yrs. I miss him terribly...more and more as the days go by. Thank you for this video and i can't believe i have been a subscriber for a couple of years and some how have never seen this video. I see it tonight(Oct.21,2018) as i was here thinking about those times in the 80's when we were all going out and dancing our asses off and loving harder than ever because of the discrimination we as gay men were seeing and experiencing. Happy Holidays to you babe and i pray 2019 is much better for everyone who have had one hell of a 2018 as i myself have.Again,thank you for posting this video and Bless You abundantly.
Beautiful commemoration of your wonderful friend who I was glad to see featured in the film Pride. As someone from Oldham do you know how long Mark lived there as a few sources say he was born there? Thanks
I ONLY JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT MARK ASHTON THROUGH WATCHING PRIDE. I HAD A BREAKDOWN IN 1988 I WAS 20 DUE TO MY SEXUALITY AND THE OPPRESSION AGAINST GAY PEOPLE THATCHER DIDN'T HELP. THANKYOU FOR THIS AND MUCH LOVE. I HOPE TO VISIT THE BOOKSHOP ONE DAY. GOD BLESS MARK ASHTON I HOPE TO SEE HIM WHEN I GO TO HEAVEN.
A visit to “Gays The Word” is essential!!! As soon as you walk in you can feel the energy of all the people who have passed through the doors in search of their “tribe”. It’s only a small shop but the staff are all so friendly and knowledgeable. If they don’t have what you are looking for, they will do their best to find it for you.
Love this song but honestly when sarah jane is on the stage with jimmy the energy is unbelieveable. They feed off of each other. They charge the crowd and back to the band. The music reaches into the souls if every one involved. If you dont get what im saying or havnt witnessed it immediately play any live version with jimmy and sarah jane. If your haircon your body isnt sranding on end and you dont have goosebumps you should see a doctor or crawl off somewhere and listen to tiny tim
I had to follow my own advise. I just played a luce version with sarah jane ,jimmy and the band all on their game that night. Er my gerd her deep throaty smooth Christine McV like voice with jimmys alto is the perfect mix. This music got me through high school in a hillbillie town i had no business being in. Much against my will. Id work nights at Ranglers convenience store in stephenville texas. Had a tape deck tied into the pa. I had infinite tapes with Yazoo, bronski beat communards,sig sig,clash INXS, squeeze and so on to get me thru the shift so i could go straight to school from work and do it over and over. Only one other person had heard any of that type music. It was cool to see other kids starting to hang with my crew and getting into a different style music they didnt know existed. Then to watch them try to dance to it was priceless. Id seen cats screw with more rhythm. When id quit crying and laughing id do it again. By senior year we had kids poppin breakin shiekin and grindin. I introduced 2 live crew and others as well. That town hasnt been the same since.
Jimmy Somerville have you ever had a girlfriend ? How would you react if a pretty lady comes onto you? I am a straight man who likes some of your tracks, the 80s was a great decade, sorry to hear of your friends loss
And just to say - not all straight people are homophobic- diversity makes a difference to our world! Love, acceptance, and great music!! Peace be with you all.xxxxxxxxxxx
