Former WHITESNAKE/TRAPEZE Guitarist MEL GALLEY Loses Battle With Cancer - July 2, 2008

Classic Rock magazine reports that Mel Galley, former guitarist of TRAPEZE and WHITESNAKE, has lost his battle with cancer of the oesophagus.

In February, Galley announced that he was dying of cancer. Bravely, instead of wallowing in self-pity he made the most of the time he had left. "I have been very lucky," he wrote on his MySpace page. "I have seen some great bands, played with many great musicians and enjoyed some tremendous experiences. I am thankful that I can say a proper goodbye to all the friends I have made, who are now rallying round me.'

Even as his condition worsened, Galley continued to post encouraging, amusing updates. When he was no longer able to go to the pub, 'now the pub [comes] to me," he joked. "Friends visit me each day, I have drugs in me 24/7, and I have a plentiful supply of gin and tonic by my bedside. I even have my own ice machine! In fact, it's just like my WHITESNAKE days."

During WHITESNAKE's recently completed European tour, David Coverdale dedicated "Love Ain't No Stranger", a song he co-wrote with Mel for the "Slide It In" album, to Galley on a nightly basis.

"Melville, your legacy is in safe hands with me," sums up Glenn Hughes, Galley's TRAPEZE bandmate and childhood friend, adding: "I'll see you in the Garden one day, and truly recognise you as my brother..."

We should all go out with an attitude as cool as that. God bless and RIP.

Another good one gone way too soon. I'll have to give Medusa a spin tonight. RIP