Michael Eagleton, who died on Monday, September 9, was closely involved with several Marlow organisations and touched the lives of many of the residents in the town. I have collected together some of the tributes which have been made about Michael.

Marlow FM, the local radio station

Everyone at Marlow FM is devastated to hear the news that our dear colleague and friend, Michael Eagleton, died on Monday, September 9. He’d been ill for some time, and was in hospital. He was a founding member of our wonderful radio station, and his many many programmes have been loved by thousands across the world.

Michael was born in Marlow, and had always lived here, in the same bungalow. For many years he ran a record and hi-fi shop in the town.

Michael got into jazz at a very young age. His father was a dance band musician, and there were many dance band and jazz 78s in the house, along with a wind-up gramophone. When most of his school friends were getting into rock ‘n’ roll, Michael’s first love of jazz stayed with him.

Michael ran the Marlow Jazz Club for more than four decades, and as a result counted many of the world’s top jazzmen amongst his friends.

We will remember this unique and very special man with much love, and our thoughts are with his wife, Ann, and everyone whose lives Michael touched.

Marlow Jazz Club

Michael Eagleton who ran Marlow Jazz Club, sadly died on Monday 9th September 2024 after a short illness. An unassuming and quietly determined man with a huge passion for jazz music, he brought the highest quality jazz to Marlow for 47 years, an extraordinary achievement. This tribute is from Nigel Price who played at the club in June this year:

‘Michael Eagleton told me he was ill last time I saw him. I didn’t realise how ill. We have lost one of the best people. He really loved the music, loved the people and did an incredible amount of work for the jazz community out in Marlow. he was just the sweetest guy and his death will bring profound sadness to hundreds if not thousands of people.’

Michael was Mr Jazz in Marlow and brought countless top and upcoming musicians to the club over the years. He was also a very successful presenter and DJ on local radio, an expert on the town and its history, and a published author of local books. He will be very sadly missed.

From Simon Lenton, who in recent years has assisted Michael at the Jazz Club. Nigel Price is one of the leading jazz guitarists in the world.

Marlow Museum

The ‘Marlow Museum’ is often called upon to answer questions about families or businesses. Then again we may want to present a display or story about a local interest subject. Whilst we have many records and pictures the one source we invariably turned to was Michael. As a supporter of the museum from its inception he always came up trumps. We have been indebted to him so many times and so his passing is a loss to us both collectively and individually. The community have lost a true Marlovian and a good reliable friend. May the angels be playing all his favourite jazz tunes.

From Michael Hyde, the Marlow Museum Trustees and Members.

Marlow Free Press

‘Mr Reliable’ would be an apt nickname for Michael. For some twenty years he has been preparing the article for his weekly Nostalgia page in the Marlow Free Press and ‘on the dot’ has provided the copy ten days before the publication date.

And not just ‘Mr Reliable’ but ‘Mr Accurate’ as well. The number of edits which have had to be made to his copy over that twenty years can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Judging from the number and regularity of the tele-calls and emails he has always received each week, the readers of the page have found his articles to be interesting, informative, and always stirring reminiscences.

The quality of his work will be hard to replace.

Bucks Free Press editor Katie French

We are all devastated to hear about the sudden passing of Michael, a real pillar of the community in Marlow and someone who has contributed so much knowledge and expertise to his weekly nostalgia column over the past two decades.

Michael was a passionate advocate for Marlow, a charming character and an expert in all things nostalgia. We last met back in January when he came in to take part in a reader panel where his love of local history and zest for the music scene in Marlow shone through.

On behalf of the team at the Free Press, we send our sincere condolences to Michael’s loved ones at this sad time. He will be remembered fondly by us all and will be sadly missed by our readers.

Personal tribute

I am so upset to hear about Michael’s passing. Thank you for the lovely tribute you put in the Marlow Free Press. I would like to add my own tribute.

I grew up in Marlow and my Mum lived there all her life. Michael was a frequent visitor to chat and record my Mum’s Marlow memories. I took her to the Longridge centre for two live interviews on Marlow FM. After Mum died I continued to enjoy Michael’s Nostalgia page in the Marlow Free Press and passed on any family snippets I found. Michael was always keen to answer any questions I had about our beloved town and was such a lovely, unassuming man to talk to.

I will miss him, Marlow will miss him. He was a true son of Marlow and a legend.

Ruth Bowler ( nee Davy)And finally

A reminiscence from Michael himself, from his article on June 7 this year about a charity football match fifty years ago. This was when Marlow Football Club played a TV All Stars eleven which included George Best:-

I have my own fond little memory of George Best: I was always a big fan. A few years after this game, and during the time I had my record shop in Spittal Street, he was a regular visitor to Marlow. His ex-wife Angie lived at The Old Parsonage (before Jim Capaldi moved there) and George came to see his son Calum who I suppose was only about 7. They often came round the town and into the shop. George’s taste in music was varied: I remember he was into Pink Floyd at the time along with assorted Irish bands.

George sometimes left Calum with me choosing his own records whilst he popped along to either the Cross Keys or the Carpenters Arms for a quick one (or two); although I have to say I never saw him anything other than totally sober, polite and very softly spoken, almost shy. On one occasion, with Calum getting to grips with ABBA for the first time, George came back in and asked if we had a toilet. I directed him upstairs. Next day I made arrangements for a little plastic plaque to be made up: “GEORGE BEST USED THIS TOILET”.