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Very Sad News
Many of our regulars here are very familiar with the screen name PUK, or PeterUK. He had been conspicuously absent for the last week, so much so that I was compelled to contact a mutual friend, Clarice Feldman. She’d been having the same concerns and was busy racking her brain trying to think of a way to get in touch with someone in Britain that might have some information. She uncovered an old e-mail that had multiple addresses on it. One of the addressees got back to her with the tragic news – Peter had passed away last week.
I never met Peter. Clarice “introduced” us via e-mail and he and I became instant buddies, just as she predicted.
In addition to being just a beautifully all-around good guy, Peter was an invaluable fount of information, wit, intelligence, and often made me feel woefully inadequate that a Brit knew more about U.S. current events than I did. He was the source for many of our stories and never wanted the credit.
His community of friends has decided that it is time to reveal PUK. PUK was Peter Bocking – a hugely influential guitarist during the seminal years of the English Sound. Peter lived in Manchester and formed one of the earliest rock bands while everyone was still enamored with the “skiffle sound.” His first band, The Jets, evolved into the Fourtones, with Graham Nash. The Fourtones, without Peter, evolved into the Hollies. Peter was a giant amongst his peers, playing sessions with the Herman’s Hermits and Lonnie Donnegan. Peter was the “player’s player” able to perform masterfully in any genre, from jazz to classical.
The world is incrementally worse for his absence.
I checked my e-mail for his last correspondence. It was October 25th at 9:15 am, it said, “make the bastards (progressives) live by their beliefs.” I think this just might be our new motto.
rebecca83095
November 1st, 2009
What terrible news, I’m so sorry to hear it.
cfm990
November 1st, 2009
DAMN!
Reiuxcat
November 1st, 2009
We can honor Peter’s memory by doing exactly that, and continue to fight the moon battery of the left and the RINOS.
My sincerest, empathetic condolences go out to his family, close friends, and all of us who enjoyed his company. It is never easy to lose a loved one in death.
Perhaps iotw can have a space so we can easily relive Peter’s best here on iotw.
thanks Fur :’-(
Corona
November 1st, 2009
That’s a sad post. I never knew the guy but am familiar with a lot of the bands he’s performed with. Rest in peace, Peter.
My2Cents
November 1st, 2009
I haven’t been here long, but long enough to feel a connection with the regulars, as there is a like-mindedness, a common passion, and a common ability to laugh in the face of absurdity. Peter was one of those “comrades” who stood out from the very start. I’m so saddened to hear this news. It is like losing a friend, and a fellow-warrior. Reiuxcat said it best. Pick up his banner, and soldier on, in honor of his memory. God speed, Peter.
IronyCurtain
November 1st, 2009
Peter was an early, essential asset to this site. Though we never met him face to face he fell right in and became part of this family.
Our deepest sympathy to his family and friends. We will really miss seeing that name and those hilarious comments.
MissinMich
November 1st, 2009
RIP Peter. You will be missed
My condolences to family and friends.
Patriotleah
November 1st, 2009
I am so very sorry. I had a feeling there was something very special about Peter. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
shootersgrandma
November 1st, 2009
So long, PeterUK. We will miss you here.
Play on in a better place.
snarkandboobs
November 1st, 2009
I’m so sorry. My sincere condolences to everyone who knew Peter and whose lives he touched. I know his absence will be felt deeply.
Peter’s comments always stood out to me and not just because they were always so darn clever. But also because you could somehow *feel* that there was something brilliant about him and that he was a special and good man.
I think his motto is perfect. And I know we will all do our best to follow it and make him proud.
Rest in Peace, Sir.
DEVILDOC
November 1st, 2009
So long Peter…Like the “Good Mick” that I am, I’ll hoist a pint to ya’ and pull out my old Strat and see if I can still flog a riff or two. Rest in Peace
Red Star
November 1st, 2009
We have all lost an ally in a world gone crazy. His enlightened comments will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family.
Godspeed my friend.
Mr. Pinko
November 1st, 2009
Peter will be missed. His thoughts and input were brilliant. Great musician too.
cakes
November 1st, 2009
I am new to this site too, but PeterUK was a sort of ’star’ here. My condolences to his family and hopefully he realized how much he touched so many with his humor and insight.
Admin Girl
November 1st, 2009
Something similiar to this has happened before, where a regular commenter had gone missing and we were very concerned, thank goodness he is back. That’s how it is, you become ‘attached’ to people who become more than commenters, but commrades in a united cause. You guys truly become part of our site, you make it what it is. We will truly miss Peter, I hope he knows how many people he has affected by his compelling comments and presence. We will try to put together something, as Reiuxcat suggested, of Peter’s great words.
Thank you all for your unwavering support not only of us, but support for a fellow commrade.
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My2Cents
November 1st, 2009
BFH and Admin Girl, thanks extended to both of you as well, that you notice when a regular hasn’t been around for awhile, and you make the effort to find out if all is well. It means a lot that people here care for others, that it is a family. I’m impressed with that, and grateful to have found this site.
Call me Lennie
November 1st, 2009
I had a little poster “spat” with Peter one day, and then he gave me a nice attaboy for something I posted the very next day. And that was the last post I ever saw of his.
How sad.
cfm990
November 1st, 2009
How to begin?
I used to think attachments made on the internet were a crock of hooey. How in Gods name can you feel close to an individual who you never met? Someone who’s eyes you never looked into? Being on the receiving end of such concern and friendship made me look at things in a new light. Why would complete strangers give a flip about me? Now, I know better. The passing of Peter UK has touched me in a way I never would have expected. For you see ,in the past few years I have suffered the loss of,both my parents, my kid sister, and my fiance,( A woman that i loved more than life itself). You would think I would be immune to the effects death, you would be wrong. My one word comment of “DAMN” was all I could muster.
A dram of the old sod will be raised to you Big Guy,rest easy.
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AQuaintLife
November 1st, 2009
Rest In Peace PeterUK. You will be missed.
MonkeyPig
November 1st, 2009
wow, as a ol’guitar player myself I didnt know one of my early influences was here on here. Now that I know who PeterUK is, I will be digging through some old records today. RIP
beethovenqueen
November 1st, 2009
That’s sad. I enjoyed his comments. Thanks for following up, Big Fur Hat.
His saying is deservedly applied to progressives, since they’ll be familiar with it but never seem to comprehend what would happen if they’d apply it to themselves. From Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals, Rule #4:
4. “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules. You can kill them with this, for they can no more obey their own rules than the Christian church can live up to Christianity.”
Nice Deb
November 1st, 2009
Oh dear, such sad news. Rest in peace Peter in UK.
Boobie The Rocket Dog
November 1st, 2009
It puzzled me, too, how a Brit knew as much or more about what’s happening here as we do. Perhaps he’d seen it all before in his own country.
R.I.P. PeterUK
Call me Lennie
November 1st, 2009
Give Pete his freedom for as long as he be
All we asked of living is to have no chains on he
All we asked of living is to have no chains on he
And all we ask of dying is to go naturally
Oh we want to go naturally
And when we die and when we’re gone
There’ll be one Con born in this world
to carry on
to carry on
Alpha Maser
November 1st, 2009
Life is short. May God be with Peter UK’s family and friends.
We need to remember our nation was founded on religion, morals and natural law. May God keep us all together in these trying times. A free people cannot survive under a republican constitution unless they remain virtuous and morally strong. A immoral majority will destroy the nation we cherish.
Sue
November 1st, 2009
PUK was part of our online family at Just One Minute. He is going to be missed something fierce over there. Rest in peace, my friend.
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beethovenqueen
November 1st, 2009
cfm990, I’m sorry you’ve suffered so many losses…
Elektra
November 1st, 2009
This is so very sad. Thoughts and prayers to those who feel much loss. We know IOTW will be missing out from now on.
How much more then those closest to PeterUK. 
AdminGirl, you have made each and every one of us feel very special. This is a extraordinarily brilliant site in so many, many ways.
*Peace*
Captain Hate
November 1st, 2009
I knew PUK from Just One Minute where his dry wit and knowledge of everything made him a “must read” no matter what the topic. I could tell that he was an accomplished musician from when the discussion would veer in that direction but it was obvious he wished to remain anonymous so I didn’t pry; now that he’s revealed I’m not surprised by who he is nor his stature. Every time I interacted online with PUK I felt honored, as if I were communicating with the erudite older brother I never had. I agree with cfm990 that, for somebody I never met in person, I’m having a difficult time dealing with the fact that I’ll never read him again and that I’ve lost a friend.
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proletarian robot
November 1st, 2009
Why?? Why God didn’t you take Biden or Obama or both instead?
PeterUK gone but never forgotten…..
wsorrian
November 2nd, 2009
I’ve only read a few of his comments but after reading what was said here I feel as though I missed out.
…now I feel sad. I hope he went peacefully.
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November 2nd, 2009
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rebecca83095
November 2nd, 2009
I’m sorry, I still feel really bad about Peter’s passing and I will miss him. I honestly haven’t been the same since I saw this post. Everyone here is unique and important to me for their own particular character and style. PeterUK was just that funny, witty, intelligent and ’spot on’ – no posting was complete until you read his comments. I looked for him last week, too, but never thought…Thank you, Fur and Admin Girl for sharing so many nice things about him.
KillTruck
November 2nd, 2009
I didn’t know him, but my condolensces to those of you who did.
I respect the anonymity of the web, but I find myself concerned when people disappear. I don’t know whether it’s healthy or not, but some of blogosphere pals no more about my day to day than my real life ones.
Only the web could make the world bigger and smaller at the same time.
RIP PUK
DEVILDOC
November 2nd, 2009
@KillTruck, very well stated.
JavelinaBomb
November 2nd, 2009
Terribly sad. Rest in peace, Peter.
Peter Bocking: RIP Mike Outram ~ The Electric Campfire
November 6th, 2009
[...] http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?p=9107 [...]
RevDaw
November 8th, 2009
I have been really touched to read all about PeterUK from his friends and fans. Just to let you know that His funeral will be held at Manchester Crematorium (UK) on Thursday, 12th November at 13.30 (GMT). I am humbled and privileged to be conducting this.
Please keep him in your thoughts and memories.