(We are) The Rizla Family

We hadn’t seen each other since the Benefit Gig for Aron B
But when we got together we got along so famously.
Yet there were times, it must be said, when we disagreed.
But if one of us pulled out we’d pull him back... eventually.

Sometimes others saw us as lazy, no-good thugs:
We smoked too much and drank too much and took too many drugs.
Fair enough, that may be true, but open up your eyes:
A deeper truth comes shining through: the Rizlas were such beautiful guys!

Aron played the drums at first and Mick was his successor;
The drummer’s role was later claimed by an Ayur Vedic professor.
And when Geoff Rizla left the band, as drummers sometimes do,
We found the perfect replacement. Last name: Brenham. First name: Hugh.

Tim Rizla rocked the hall on bass; he’d fill your soul with wonder.
His bass sound was the quintessential boom of mountain thunder.
When Georgie Rizla joined us she sounded like a songbird.
Her backing vocals were the sweetest we had ever heard.

Jo Rizla was our heartbeat, a glamorous keyboard diva.
As steady as a rock on stage; a true ‘One Love’ believer.
Then Russ Rizla played the keys. He’d leave you wanting more.
He sold his prized Ensoniq (but don’t ask him how much for).
When Russ had moved to Sussex, to be closer to the sea,
The keyboard whizz who took his place was diamond geezer: Lee.

Robbie Rizla sang some songs and strummed his old guitar.
He was our wacky natural born King Rizla superstar.
Pete Rizla played the power chords that fed back through your brain.
He always had a chair on stage (standing up was such a pain).

Marcus, Mountain Man on Herb, a musician all year long,
Played a mean melodica and sang the Skin Up song.
And Dennis was the vocalist whose voice was sweet as honey.
We thought that if we kept him sweet he’d make us loads of money.

Oh well, so much for that idea!

Dedicated to Aron Lake and Peter Dimmock; to my amazing friends and fellow Rizlas: Mick, Geoff, Hugh, Tim, Georgie, Jo, Lee, Rob, Sir Marcus, and Dennis; and to honorary members of the Rizla Family: Nuzz, Andy Davies & Tony Pettitt, and that guy who used to work behind the bar at The Klub Wiv No Name...