Ten years ago, Russell Dryden gave a local band their biggest break yet – supporting headliners Chas & Dave at Bermondsey Carnival. This year, local musicians who flourished with Russell’s help will honour the late local figure with a special tribute.
“I met him when I was about sixteen or seventeen when I first started playing with bands,” says Jimmy Bull, 40. “I was introduced to Russell and was told he got things done – like the carnival.”
“He put us on at Bermondsey Carnival and we supported Chas & Dave in 2014,” Jimmy explains. “They were legends and it was probably our biggest moment yet.”
For decades, Russell Dryden was the driving force behind Bermondsey Carnival, a massive celebration of local music and culture in Southwark Park. He sadly passed away aged just 65 after suffering a heart attack in May.
Bermondsey Collective, a six-piece band whose members have a connection with Russell, will perform at Bermondsey Carnival from 5.20pm to 5.50pm on the Monday Bank Holiday. Their covers of Brit pop classics will be mixed in with funny anecdotes about Russell.
Band members included Jimmy Bull (drums) Robert Hisee (singer and guitar), Pugzy (keyboard), Matty Verwyst (lead guitar), Dave Lawrence (bass) and Charlie Jennings (vocals).
Jimmy, now a production manager at Kew Gardens, said: “Of course, we all knew him because was the community man he was. We wanna give something back to say thanks.
“Some of us are still playing in bands and some of us went on to do even better things than pub gigs so he set a lot of people on their way.”
Jimmy added: “Obviously he’s gonna be a big miss to the community. Behind the scenes of the festival and the Bermondsey Business Improvement District (BID) he did a lot of charity work and that shows what a fine, decent human being he was.”
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