MY DEAR FRIEND,

MICHAEL LUMSDON

DJ MEGASAL

DIED MONDAY 30TH JULY 2007, AFTER A 2 YEAR BATTLE WITH CANCER. HE WORKED AT EVERY MAJOR GAY VENUE IN NORTHERN ENGLAND, AS WELL AS MANY CLUBS AROUND THE UK GIVING IT JIP ON THE DECKS. HE WAS THE FIRST EVER DJ IN THE NORTH TO PLAY HI NRG AND MIX DANCE TRACKS WITHOUT A PAUSE. HE WAS THE PRESENTER OF GAY TO GAY RADIO PROGRAMME ON WEAR FM FROM 1989 TIL 2004. HE WAS A MUCH LOVED, KIND HEARTED MAN, WITH MANY FRIENDS AND A LOVING FAMILY, WHO WILL LOVE AND MISS HIM FOREVER. HE HAS LEFT A HUGE GAP IN MANY PEOPLES LIVES WHICH CAN NEVER BE FILLED.

TO OUR DEAR FRIEND,

FEELING THE ENERGY AGAIN,

REUNITED WITH HANK .............................

SEE YA SALLY. XXXX  LOVE SADIE

ON SUNDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2008 MICHAELS MAM ACCEPTED THE CAMP AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVMENT AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY TO MICHAEL FOR HIS DEDICATED WORK FOR THE GAYSCENE AND FOR SERVICES TO MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT. IT WAS A MOVING OCCASION AND MISS GRETA LAMOUR GAVE A LOVELY SPEECH. WELL DONE SAL. XXXX

MICHAEL LUMSDON / MEGASAL'S MAM HAS WRITTEN THIS PERSONAL MESSAGE TO THE NORTH EAST GAY SCENE

"I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK EVRYONE FOR ALL THE KIND THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID ABOUT MICHAEL, AND THANK YOU TO ALL WHO VOTED FOR HIM IN THE LIFETIME ACHEIVMENT AWARD. HE IS SO BADLY MISSED BY ALL HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. WE WILL NEVER EVER FORGET HIM. GODBLESS. LOVE YOU FOREVER. MAM."

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Stephanie's memories of a friend

       I heard of Sally's sad passing when me and my friend Janice went to the Yard to chill out with a few girls, whilst at the bar, I noticed a poster behind the bar, attached to the wall.  'Megasal Funeral', I thought I'd miss read it, but I hadn't.  Sally was a friend of mine she was a DJ at Rockies, Powerhouse and Rockshots.  She got me out dressed in public for the first ever time back in 1992.  She ran a radio programme called Gay 2 Gay on Wear Fm, where she played Hi-Energy disco music and read out letters from regular listeners.  Many of the regulars had silly camp names, I went under the title 'Princess Stephanie'.  She said once live on air, that she was on the bus in Grainger town one day and spotted me with a netto bag, a typical example of her cause and sharp wit.  I then wrote back saying 'yes sally, I make netto bags trendy', we'll miss her, those whose lives she touched.  Her wit, friendship and loyalty was legendary, when you were a friend of Sal's you a were a friend for life. 

      The funeral of Michael 'Megasal' Lumsdon, Sally to his friends, took place at the expected time of 11.30 am at the West Road Crematorium.  The service was beautifully delivered, I cried as the vicar read some of the lovely stories of Michael's life.  He had a great turnout which I'm pleased about, as he was a lovely person.  He was only 46 when he died, taken from his family so prematurely.  His mum was so brave as were the rest of the family in saying goodbye.  As she left the crematorium, his mum waved to us, his friends who will remember him and treasure him in our hearts.  I remarked to Janice, that the gardens were so beautiful, especially in the gorgeous sunlight.

      They were most probably laid on by Sally.  As I got into the car, I bumped my elbow on the car door, sally's last pratical joke on me.  You know I believe sally's looking down on us right now, laughing at us all shedding tears as she spins her discs of Hi-Energy music, and sipping a Pernod of course.  After the service, Janice & I went back to Heavens Above for a drink, and a toast to michael's memory before setting off for home.  Later that day I wrote this piece of work in Sally's honour.

I Lost a Friend

I lost a friend this week,
her name was Sal.
From my earliest days,
she was a girl's true pal.

Got me dressed in public,
in nineteen ninety two.
Brought out the feelings,
of a girl brand new.

She played the decks,
on the Newcastle gay scene.
From Rockshots to the Powerhouse,
she was the dj queen.

Full of fun.
and with a quick wit.
Never cutting,
well maybe just a little bit.

Awarded a Sony award,
on a bright sunny day.
For her sparkling performances,
on Gay 2 Gay.

She was cremated today,
at the west road crem.
The world has lost,
a real true gem.

She's in heaven now,
sadness at her funeral, as we let her go.
Now she plays music for angels,
sipping a bottle, of her favourite Pernod.

Megasal..........Rest in Peace

 

Copyright by Stephanie Elizabeth Anne Butterfield

 

copyright extended to Sal's Mam

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I just want to add to the tribute that has already begun for DJ Megasal

 AKA Sally

Sally inspired me to become the succesful club DJ that I am today he was not only a fabulous inspiration he was also a very good friend

An absolute legend in his own right

sadly now gone but never ever forgotten

i've got some amazing memories we had such fun back in the day girl!!!

Reunited with Miss Laverne RIP

love and respect

always

 from DJ Hollie xxxx

 

 

 

www.djhollie.co.uk

email: hollie@djhollie.co.uk

www.myspace.com/djhollie
www.realbrighton.com/company/836
www.brightondj.co.uk

www.myspace.com/djhollie

www.wildfruit.co.uk

DJ TEAPOT (ARNIE) SAYS

hi guys

i knew sal from many moons ago.. going back to the old casablanca in
newcastle and i also worked along side him on gay2gay. sal was a very
good
friend of mine he will be missed very much oh and it was sal that
introduced
me to the sound of high energy ... keep it high and ill bring some
poppers
when i see you again love you lots sal. RIP xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Sal was more than a friend, he was family to a lot of people.  A man that always put others first and was not often without a smile on his face.

A credit to his family (Marge we love you) and a true friend that will be missed though the impression he made on everyone that met him will endure.

I’ve added a pic of us in Magaluf, I think it sums him up pretty well.

Love Mitch

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WHENEVER I WALKED INTO A ROOM WHERE SAL WAS HE ALWAYS MADE ME FEEL GOOD, AND NOTHING WAS WRONG. HE COULD LIFT A WHOLE ROOM WITH HIS PERSONALITY BOTH THROUGH HIS MUSIC AND THE THINGS HE SAID. I HAVE KNOWN HIM SINCE CASABLANCA DAYS (LATE 70'S I THINK), AND HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED WITH MUCH LOVE AND AFFECTION. MISS YOU SAL. R.I.P.

JULIE FROM THE CITY TAVERN. X

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