by fullerton62strat » 21 Mar 2011, 17:56
I am not surprised that people are outraged by this so-called ''manager''. What would he know about Jet's real life in the short time he'd known him, and from what angle?.
I've known Jet for 33 years from when his children were born until two weeks ago when I spoke to him on the phone on the Isle of White - thanks to Janet. How ironic now that I think about it...
The point of this reply is to point out that Cliff is not the sort of person to ignore an old friend - especially an original Shadow. He's always quietly been aware of Jet's welfare through friends, and even his sister Joan had contacts with Jet.
In 1984 Jet and myself (as well as family members) were invited up to the Reunion at the NEC for the day where we talked to all the Shads including Cliff. Cliff sat down with me separately in the backstage canteen for half an hour after Jet introduced me, and heasked mainly about Jet's welfare. Cliff knew he had been through several lapses since leaving the Shadows and was concerned about how he was coping now and what the future held for him. He is a very genuine and sincere person with no 'edge' and I was pleasantly surprised after having met a few 'ego' maniacs in this business. Cliff has secretly helped Jet in the past, all of which was to encourage his come-back to showbiz. So all along Jet's lifespan Cliff has been popping up suggesting 'we know you're there and we're rooting for you'. Hopefully, he was aware of this latest correspondence to him about Jet, and I'm sure, if he saw it personally, it mast have brought him some sorrow and pain.
The NHS would have treated Jet with the utmost care and skill as anywhere as the specialists are usually the same people covering the ''private'' health centres as well. When I spoke to Jet two weeks ago he was positive and in high spirits, but very tired due to the treatment regime. He was also concerned that he had let the fans down by cancelling his latest gig!! Can you believe it!
Jet is really missed and its really starting to hit home.
Hope this helps.
John