In 1986, when Mark Knopfler decided he wanted a break from playing the stadiums and arenas of the world with Dire Straits, he co-founded a cheerful, classy and eclectic band called the Notting Hillbillies, with whom he could explore his love of country and blues. In the new band were two other fine guitarists – Steve Phillips and Brendan Croker.
Brendan, who has died aged 70 after complications from leukaemia, was also a remarkable singer and songwriter. As Knopfler put it, “he could sing you the entire Lead Belly songbook, deep country blues, jug band music, Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, calypso and reggae. It was like having someone like Taj Mahal in the band. Also he had vocal range; he could be crooning like Slim Harpo one minute and grinding out a Howlin’ Wolf the next.”
