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Paul Gilbert of The Jerks R.I.P.

Paul Gilbert (left) with Pete Van Rental at Marquee, 1979

I’m very sad to report that on March 21st 2012 that Paul Gilbert guitartist with the wonderful 1977 punk band The Jerks has passed away aged 51 after suffering from haemochromatosis.

Paul was a founder member, main songwriter who wrote their wonderful ‘Get Your Woofing Dog Off Me’. He also provided the sleeve notes to their two reissues on Overground Records the live album ‘We Hate You’ and the fantastic album of all their studio recordings ‘Jerk Off’.

The band’s version of ‘California Sun’ recently appeared in the Sundance Festival award winning documentary ‘Shut Up Little Man’. A fitting tribute to a wondrous talent and a lovely person.

11 thoughts on “Paul Gilbert of The Jerks R.I.P.

  1. Dizzy Detour says:

    More sad news, were all getting to that age now. Another one gone but not forgotten as his music will live on.

  2. Sad to hear. I saw them at Middlesbrough Rock Garden in 1980 and even got a handwritten note from them when they released ‘Come Back Bogart’.

  3. Phil Deere says:

    I had the pleasure of plsying with Paul Gilbert in one of his later bands – The Wickermen from 1989 to 1992. A lovely man and a gentleman. Sadly missed

  4. I was best friends with Paul and his brother, Ian, during the 1960s. His father, Ken, worked with my father at ICI Huddersfield. Sadly, Paul’s dad died when he was only about 8 or 9 years old. It was a terrible shock to him. I introduced the Jerks on stage at Manchester’s Mayflower Club in 1977 or 1978. It was one of the first gigs that they played. RIP Paul.

  5. Carolyn Orange says:

    Paul (and his music) has been a part of my life for so many years. I will treasure him always. See you in the next life ‘Lord Mirfield’

  6. Carolyn says:

    A year today, I still can’t beleive he’s gone. I miss him so much it hurts.

  7. Julian Stancliffe says:

    My Cousin Mark”Jaggo” Jackson played in the band with him and i remember them coming to my auties house on the night of the the Sex Pistols LAST concert at Ivanhoes in Huddersfield

  8. Max says:

    Well remember Paul from living on Blake Hall, did not realise he had gone until seeing this webpage. Far too young. Does anyone know where his funeral was etc?

  9. Carolyn says:

    7 years
    Still in my heart!! Still broken……

  10. Pete Van Rental says:

    Hello: I was the other guitarist in The Jerks along with Paul. It’s a long time and we all still really miss him.

    I just though I should let you know that the photo you have posted here is not of Paul, but of Chas Chaos, who was The Jerks bass player, and who is alive and well and living in North London where is is still close friends (as am I) with Paul’s family including his two btothers and his son and his daughter.

    If you would like a photo of Paul then email me and I will send you a good one!

  11. Tina says:

    I have only very recently discovered that Paul passed away 7 years ago! To say i was shocked is an understatement! I lived not far from Paul and we spent time together during our Mirfield High School days…At age 51 taken way too soon!

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