Much-loved poet, musician and carer Danny McCue passed away on November 20th at the age of 70, his wife Katie has paid a heartfelt tribute to a man who certainly made his mark on Stroud.
Katie McCue’s tribute to husband Danny
Danny was well-known and well loved in Stroud.
He was born in Glasgow when, as he used to say “the world was in black & white”. When people asked where Danny was from, he would always say he was from “northern Stroud”.
Danny spent the last 30 years of his life in Stroud ; a life filled with poetry, song and service to others.
Soon after moving here in 1993 Danny and I married in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Beeches Green. We embraced life in Stroud with creativity and caring at the heart of it all.
Danny and I created a band called Souled and Healed with our dear friends Jude and Alex. Danny always invited others to play with them at various times ;fellow travellers on the “road less travelled”.
A great joy for Danny was writing songs for the Stroud Football poets’ radio ballads. These collective pieces were both performed locally and done recorded at DB Studios. Danny collaborated with Stroud’s radical historian Stuart Butler.
Danny would write the songs for these radio ballads which covered subjects from the Spanish Civil War to history of the cooperative movement in Gloucestershire.
Inspired by a poetry event put on by Dennis Gould back in the early 90s, Danny set up a group called You Are The Poet.
Danny took part in countless poetry slams which took him to Bristol, Manchester, Swindon, Ledbury and Cheltenham where he performed his powerful political pieces. He loved the excitement and energy of these events and made many friends. He never failed to encourage and respect his fellow performers.
Danny’s poems and songs often expressed his anger at the injustices of the world but he always looked to hope and change. He never wrote one poem or one song did not have a positive ending. Danny knew the only solution to hurt or harm is always the same, it is to love humanity.
Danny organised countless gigs over the years using the sound equipment Stroud town council gave him a grant for. Grant came with a request which was to make the equipment available for some local events.
Whether it was for David Drew doing some public speaking or for a brass band competition outside the Sub Rooms, Danny would be there not only supplying the equipment but being sound engineer.
For 11 years running, during the mid 1990s and early 2000s, we organised an annual HIV and AIDS benefit concert in The Sub Rooms, bringing together local musicians, poets and dancers to raise not only money but awareness.
For more than 20 years Danny worked for Open House, formally The Painswick Inn Project. He worked with young homeless people and adults on the autistic spectrum, supporting them to live independently.
In recent years, he also worked with young adults facing the challenges of self- harm and suicidal thoughts. Danny brought his integrity and compassion to this work. Danny led a life motivated by his passion for social justice, his hope for humanity and his compassion for others. He had a positive impact on so many.
Danny was much loved and respected by all who knew him whether that was for 10 minutes or 10 years.
Danny will be missed by many. His funeral will be on Monday, December 11 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Beeches Green, Stroud. The service starts at midday and all are welcome.
