Tributes have been pouring in following the death of a hugely popular maverick who influenced generations of Merseyside music fans.
Probe opened on Clarence Street, between Brownlow Hill and Mount Pleasant, in January 1971, before eventually moving to its most famous home - in Rainford Gardens - in October 1976. Five years later, the Probe Plus record label was launched, and in 1985 it began releasing records by Birkenhead band Half Man Half Biscuit - who became its best-known and biggest-selling act.
"Geoff was a maverick who didn't play by anyone else's rules. It's been funny taking calls from people who knew him and who told me so many wonderful stories which all seemed to involve Geoff being incredibly rude! But all the stories were told with great affection, because there was never any malice involved. Geoff was so outspoken, had no patience and would never temper himself in any situation.
"And, of course, he loved Half Man Half Biscuit - and always had a great friendship with the band's singer, Nigel Blackwell. He just loved their music, and Nigel's unique lyrics." "And then of course we have the anecdotes. Everyone who knew Geoff will have at least five brilliantly funny ones. I especially enjoyed his 'Getting thrown out of the Garden of Gethsemane', 'Saving a drowning woman in Afghanistan' and 'Meeting the Dalai Lama' - ALL ON THE ONE TRIP, where he'd run out of money as soon as he reached Calais.
Merseyside is full of people who remain grateful for that decision - including Miles Holmes, who met Geoff as a 16-year-old Probe customer in 1987, and was later inspired to open his own record shop, Seeds, in Birkenhead.
Entertainment Entertainment Latest News, Entertainment Entertainment Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: bbcemt - 🏆 120. / 51 Read more »