The americana community in the UK is fairly close-knit so many of you will know already that one of the little girls who died in Southport over the summer was Bebe King, the granddaughter of Michael Weston King, a name very familiar to anyone who’s had any contact with the genre, and indeed Michael played our first festival, Americana One, here in Liverpool back in 2002. Now Michael and his partner Lou Dalgliesh have written two songs about those terrible events. Michael wrote on his Facebook page: “When something horrific and life-changing happens, artists tend to channel their trauma into their art, whether it be poetry, painting, sculpture, film, music or song. You will probably be unsurprised to learn that following the heart breaking events of the summer, both Lou and I have each written songs about Bebe. Having written our songs though, we have wrestled with what do we do with them. Should the writing be a private, cathartic process for healing, a theraputic endeavour to try to make sense of our devastation? Should the writing in itself be enough, or do we share them? After much thought, we have indeed decided to share the songs.”
On the song ‘Sally Sparkles’ Michael wrote: “Whenever I visited my son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Lauren, come rain or shine, my granddaughters, Genie and Bebe, would plead for me to go into the back garden to play “Back Garden Olympics”. This involved me sitting as judge and commentator, while they performed improvised, acrobatic routines on the trampoline, slide and swings. As judge, I’d give them scores. As commentator I’d theatrically announce each of them and, in true ring master style, commentate throughout each of their performances. It was such a joy to see their efforts increase with excitement, as my commentary became more astonished by their “world record breaking” routines. And then their triumphant faces at the inevitable full marks. Big sister Genie’s routine, at the ripe old age of nine, would often involve a jump straight from her swing into a complicated gambol, followed by cartwheel and handstand, all of which were a little beyond the skills of little sister, Bebe. So when it was Bebe’s turn, I’d catch her as the leapt from her swing and fly her through the air, the full length of the garden, defying gravity, just like in her favourite musical, resulting in the thrill of matching Genie’s high score. Her stage name for these performances was… “Sally Sparkles”
On the song ‘The Empty Swing’ Lou wrote: “On July 29th 2024, Southport seemed to change colour. Pink ribbons adorned every lamppost, pink petals scattered everywhere, pink bubbles blew in the breeze, and even the moon shone pink around us as that agonising first day drew to its close. The town continued to grow in colour, signalling its tribute to our loss. But all colour was simply drained from us. The unthinkable had happened and life was changed forever. The summer sunshine seemed to shine brightest on the empty swing in the garden. I tried to write a song about that swing but it was too overwhelming. (As a result, it’s barely mentioned in the song.) My song is a message to Bebe, telling her what’s been happening, letting her know that they’re calling her an angel and a new star (in every way). I knew she’d like me to throw in a line from Taylor Swift, and I knew she’d like me to sing about the Wizard of Oz. But I also wanted to tell her that she’s still here with us, always in her sister’s voice, pulsing in her Mom’s veins (& waltzing her every step.) And forever with her Dad in his everything. The precious memory of Bebe, running full pelt towards me as I crouch with arms wide open, awaiting the pending hug, visits me every day now. Needless to say, this is the hardest song to sing.”
As an editorial team we have been deeply moved by these tracks which are beautiful but devastating. One of our writers commented: “For me, the first thing I did after listening to them was Facetime my granddaughter, and I’ve been thinking about what would be appropriate to say. From my perspective the relationship between a grandfather and granddaughter is something unique, and it’s something I’ve thought about a lot. When it happened, when I heard about Michael’s granddaughter and listening to the songs. I think letting Lou’s words speak about the aftermath seems the best way with that”.
