Carlo Little - Confessions of a Sixties Drummer

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Tribute Page to Screaming Lord Sutch

Carlo and David Sutch paved the way for UK rock and roll bands to be loud. Together as 'Screaming Lord Sutch and The Savages', they influenced numerous 1960's bands such as The Who and Led Zeppelin, and later artists such as Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne and Jack White of the White Stripes. Carlo and Dave remained best friends until the godfather of British pop was found hanged on Wednesday 16th June 1999 at his home in South Harrow, London. He was 58.

Carlo's Reaction to David's Death | Screaming Lord Sutch's Funeral: a personal account by Carlo's Daughter | Links to News of his Death & Funeral | Screaming Lord Sutch Links | Screaming Lord Sutch Memorial gig 2000

Tribute Message from Carlo Little

Brixton Academy, 10th June 1999 Carlo was devastated at the news, as he had last seen and performed with David Sutch only 4 days before his death, at the Rolling Stones Convention (see right) and he had seemed well. Carlo himself wrote these words in memory of his oldest friend:

"I regarded David as a very close friend, my best mate. We went back a long way and I'm gonna miss him coming into a room, a party, a gig and lifting the atmosphere like only he could. Whenever we were on stage together, for instance, it felt good and I'm going to miss that. If I wanted advice for how I was going with the music he'd help steer me in the right direction and would generally would help me do the right thing. I'm going to miss his friendship, our chats on the phone and our common love for rock and roll. The thing about Dave is that he'll probably be missed by everyone that ever met him, he was such a great person".

Links to News of his Death & Funeral

Screaming Lord Sutch's Funeral: A Personal Account by Giselle Rawlins

I last saw David Sutch at the Brixton Academy on Thursday 10th June where he guest-performed with my dad's band The Carlo Little All Stars for the Rolling Stones convention. I heard him say in the dressing room earlier that he only wanted to do one number because he didn't feel so well. He did his usual 'Roll Over Beethoven' and went down a storm with the audience.

My dad attended the Stones' gig at Wembley the following Saturday and had tried to phone Dave Sutch to tell him about the gig. I actually live very near to David Sutch's house in South Harrow, and we were going to pay him a visit on the Tuesday but decided against it. Then on Wednesday night at around midnight my dad phoned me to tell me he'd just heard Sutchie had died. He was too upset to elaborate, so I switched on the news where I first learned the circumstances of his death. I was shocked and cried out in sorrow. I felt numb and sat up all night. Unknown to us, and most of the people around him, he'd suffered from severe depression for years.

The next morning I bought some pink roses and went to lay them outside his house. (I was besieged by reporters - the roses later appeared on many news programmes). Later, I went to my parents house where I had to opportunity to offer my condolences to Yvonne Elwood, Sutch's fiancée. We spent the best part of the time up until the funeral offering her support and company.

The funeral was arranged for Monday 28th June. Yvonne and Carlo had come up with the idea of walking behind a Lincoln Continental to the church, which many of us did, followed by 50 bikers from the London Ace Cafe. Dave was the ultimate rebel and would do anything outrageous to get people to take notice: he would have loved to have seen us stop the traffic with our little march! When we got to the church there were 500 or more people outside: loonies, rockers, punks, etc...an amazing turn-out, just what he would have wanted. Bruce Welch, Rick Parfitt, PJ Proby, Billie Davies, Mick Green, Clem Cattini, Wee Willie Harris, Ron Harwood, Rick Brown, Nick Simper, Downliners Sect, Mac Poole, Graham Fenton, Sandy Freud, etc. were there (that we saw - there may have been more). There was also a floral tribute from Roger Daltry.

The moving service was complimented by the song 'Roll Over Beethoven' being played, at which point many people broke down in tears. After, the Lincoln followed the hearse taking Carlo and Yvonne to the cemetery, again followed by 50 or more bikers. After the graveside service, and after the family had moved away, Carlo asked ex-Savage Ron Harwood to come up and he sung 'Love Me Tender' on his guitar - a very moving occasion. The area was covered with bouquets and floral arrangements such as top hats. There was even one made into a teapot, his favourite drink.

Afterwards, the entire congregation attended a hall in Wembley organised by Carlo for a rock and roll wake. It was both sad and brilliant but there was one person missing ... and he really would have loved it. Rest in peace, your lordship.