1 June 2025
On 1 June 1973, today 52 years ago, British renowned singer-songwriter ROBERT WYATT (now aged 80) broke his spine after attempting to leave a birthday party by climbing down a drainpipe and falling three stories. It left Wyatt permanently crippled and confined to a wheelchair.
At the time Wyatt was the drummer/co-vocalist for psych-prog-rock
band Soft Machine fronted by Kevin Ayers (1944-2013).
After the freak accident Wyatt went solo. He released
9 LPs, with 1974’s Rock Bottom as his most lauded one.
Uncut Magazine
In an 2014 interview with British Uncut Magazine, he announced
his retirement from music. He cited age and greater interest in
politics as the reasons.
SHIPBUILDING
His best known song (an ironic one about the Falkland war in 1982), although he didn’t write it. Elvis Costello wrote the lyrics and Clive Langer the music. Wyatt‘s remarkable voice did the rest.