Our connection to fame is not something we go on about on my side of the family, but it is devastating to learn a part of our family tree has died.. the fact that it is the world famous author, speaker and international advisor on education Sir Ken Robinson, means more to many people than just our family, but it is still more heartbreaking for us.
Admittedly we are not a close family, I blame my grandad for this, or the fact he had so many sisters and wanted to get away from the mass of women that took over the house while he was growing up. My grandad Charles Allen was the eldest and was followed by six sisters, the eldest of those being Ethel, and her eldest son was Ken, which makes him my first cousin once removed, I think. When we visited my grandad as I was growing up, we never mixed with that side of the family at all and we were more impressed that Ken's brother Neil played for Everton, rather than being related to an intellectual - football always more impressive than knowledge in Tuebrook don't you know.
Anyway, Ken became Sir Ken and went on to give the most inspiring TED talks ever known.
I think I only met him twice, but only remember one of those occasions, which was the funeral of his mum (my great auntie Ethel). The other occasion may have been the funeral of my great gran and his gran, who I only ever knew as Mother.
As I say, we were not a close family and even though I tried to get in touch with Ken a few years ago, he never responded. I wanted to know what he thought about my ideas about "inspiration from errors", which is how I approach most of my arrangements and music making.
But yesterday after a short illness Sir Ken Robinson died, so I guess I will never know. Safe journey Ken.
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