Bobby Cronie
by John Carmichael
Sadly the end of July saw the passing of Bobby Cronie, one of Scotland’s ‘character musicians’.
Everyone who worked with Bobby, and there were plenty of us (far too many to list here), admired the way he could entertain and control an audience.
Bobby was at his best with the drum sticks in one hand and the mic in the other….not to mention his old woman act!
Originally from Wigtonshire, of farming stock, Booy played in the early days with local accordionist Isobel Duffy. He then moved with his wife Joy to Paisley in 1957 and that’s when he really got the music bug.
I first met Bobby in the early 60’s when he was driving a party from the Bearsden Ski Club to Aviemore for their Christmas bash. Bobby just happened to have his drum kit in the boot of the bus. It was a two day musical experience!
Over the years Bobby ran and played in many musical groups. One that I recall with fond memories was ‘Bobby Cronie and the Cronies’, as diverse a group of characters as one would find anywhere. Not the least being ‘Wufftie’ the trumpet player, so named by Bobby for his habit of starting each conversation with …..”wufftie start now”, “wufftie stop for the interval”. Although Bobby toured the length and breadth of the country playing, singing, entertaining and encouraging young players, many will also remember him as the drummer who reluctantly drove the bus on Calum Kennedy’s ‘Commando Tour’ of the Western Isles. On that occasion we had to be ‘invalided out’ suffering from exhaustion.
Bobby will be sadly missed by his wife Joy and sons Derek, Garry, Richard and Douglas, his many friends from Charleston Bowling Club and the musicians will also miss his ready quip and lively humour.
Box and Fiddle
October 1998
Everyone who worked with Bobby, and there were plenty of us (far too many to list here), admired the way he could entertain and control an audience.
Bobby was at his best with the drum sticks in one hand and the mic in the other….not to mention his old woman act!
Originally from Wigtonshire, of farming stock, Booy played in the early days with local accordionist Isobel Duffy. He then moved with his wife Joy to Paisley in 1957 and that’s when he really got the music bug.
I first met Bobby in the early 60’s when he was driving a party from the Bearsden Ski Club to Aviemore for their Christmas bash. Bobby just happened to have his drum kit in the boot of the bus. It was a two day musical experience!
Over the years Bobby ran and played in many musical groups. One that I recall with fond memories was ‘Bobby Cronie and the Cronies’, as diverse a group of characters as one would find anywhere. Not the least being ‘Wufftie’ the trumpet player, so named by Bobby for his habit of starting each conversation with …..”wufftie start now”, “wufftie stop for the interval”. Although Bobby toured the length and breadth of the country playing, singing, entertaining and encouraging young players, many will also remember him as the drummer who reluctantly drove the bus on Calum Kennedy’s ‘Commando Tour’ of the Western Isles. On that occasion we had to be ‘invalided out’ suffering from exhaustion.
Bobby will be sadly missed by his wife Joy and sons Derek, Garry, Richard and Douglas, his many friends from Charleston Bowling Club and the musicians will also miss his ready quip and lively humour.
Box and Fiddle
October 1998