Mama playing the music of Genesis

Let us tell you about our friend Dale Bellis

Dale was a passionate Genesis and Liverpool Football Club supporter who sadly passed away on the 2nd May 2017 after months bravely battling a brain tumor. He leaves behind a family which includes his wife Gill. Our thoughts are with her at this sad time.

From Face Value…

John W first met Dale at a Face Value gig not long after the 2001 Genesis fan convention. His first words to John W were, “you were sh1t at Guildford, so you better be worth it now!” and then he gave John that grin. That infectious Dale grin that made you instantly know he was taking the pi$$. He became a regular at FV shows, always singing his heart out and always encouraging the band to new heights with his enthusiastic shouts of “Stagnation” or “In The Bloody Cage” – two songs he knew we didn’t play. But that was Dale for you. Always joking, always trying to bring out the best in folk.

He soon became a friend and was a supporter of not only Mama, but also ReGenesis, G2 and Stillmarillion. He had a zero tolerance of the petty stuff that went on sometimes but always concentrated on the music first and foremost. As he used to say, “None of you own this music so don’t get all defensive about it!” When Face Value played their last show at The Box in Crewe, John W and John C played an impromptu version of Fading Lights for him as he had just lost his mother at that time. We remember him bursting into the dressing room after that final show and hugging us all.

…To Mama

When Mama started he was delighted that John W wasn’t ready to hang up his microphone and John C his keyboards and of course became a regular at Mama shows. We knew when we had done well when he told us (frequently I may add), “That was the best performance of any tribute band I have ever seen… At this venue… Tonight!” View full article »