Poet and musician Ivor Cutler, who counted John Peel and the Beatles among his fans, has died at the age of 83.

Cutler wrote surreal songs and poetry and continued to perform live until 2004. He also wrote books, did illustrations and made radio series.

He appeared regularly on Peel’s radio shows and The Beatles gave him a role in the film Magical Mystery Tour.

Cutler’s 1967 album Ludo, produced by George Martin, was re-released in 1997 by Creation, then the label of Oasis.

Born into a middle-class Jewish family in Glasgow, Cutler attributed his artistic bent to the displacement he felt when his younger brother was born.

“Without that I would not have been so screwed up as I am, and therefore not as creative,” he said.

“Without a kid brother I would have been quite dull.”

After serving with the RAF in World War II, Cutler became a teacher.

He moved to London and continued to teach, while still pursuing his artistic career, until he retired in 1980.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4781980.stm

Sad news.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 7th, 2006 at 1:17 pm and is filed under People.