A Short Tribute to Norman Henry Sykes

A Short Tribute to Norman Henry Sykes

Eldest brother to Mervyn and Alan. Mum & Dad were Eileen and Reggie. 

After primary school he attended Annadale Grammar School and flourished in many subjects but especially the sciences – although unlike his other 2 brothers never appeared to have to study too hard to pass exams! Also, he became one of Annadale’s top cross country runners.

After leaving school and starting work, initially in the labs at the shipyard and then in local industry, he finally ended up as a lab technician at Queens University where he was highly respected, known for his diligence and helpful ways and where he continued to study on day release passing the ONC and then the HNC…again with apparent ease and little study. 

All the time music was calling. Playing regular weekend gigs with brother Mervyn on guitar, he on bass guitar in Dino & The Dolphins. In time the band gained a good following in the local music scene – even though this was during the troubles and at times playing gigs in areas of Belfast where no-one else would have dared venture. Dino & the Dolphins also got to support some legendary artists including Frankie Miller and Welsh rockers, Sassafras. 

Finally he decided to turn his passion for music into his profession, much to the consternation of his Mum & Dad who realised his academic ability plus the respect that Queen’s University had for him and they were worried that he was throwing it all away…! But Norman was determined and started out playing regular gigs, sessions and music theatre including the two month London original theatre production of ‘Grease’. With his kid brother Alan playing drums this was the first time the later to be known ‘groove brothers’ would have performed together professionally.

This musical journey may have been based here in Ireland but his skills took him to New York on at least 2 occasions, once with the band with Colm Hughes that he left Ireland with and once, incredibly when he was the only one with the correct paper work. The band was sent home virtually the next day…Norman decided to stay and hustle gigs…and he did!

At other times in his musical journey Dino & the Dolphins were given the opportunity to play and record in Holland and, although the recording sessions went well, they eventually were forced to return home due to finances running low. However, this attempt at gaining a record deal was one that Norman talked excitedly about often.

Again, part of Norman’s musical journey took him to Mudd Wallace’s world renowned – yes…it really was..! – studio in Randalstown where he was given a grant and the opportunity to learn studio engineering (while still gigging at night) directly from Mudd himself. Alan says that when they were gigging together he would often have said, ‘this is something I saw Mudd do in the studio to help better the sound.’ He therefore in time was not only an accomplished musician and bass player but an excellent studio and live audio engineer.

At other times in his musical journey, travelling to England or working with music promoter, Eamonn McCann, Norman got to meet many of the now legends of music including, Ginger Baker, Kenny Jones, Glyn Johns, Lemmy, Ian Dury, Maria Muldaur, Frankie Miller, Keith Reid, Mickey Moody, BJ Wilson, Chrissie Stewart,and many more – some who he said were lovely and some like Ginger Baker where he simply said once ‘…yes the stories about him are all true…!’

Some time later in his musical career Norman was working on his own in the local scene in what is affectionately referred to as a one-piece band, however the sound that Norman recreated live as ‘Jimmy Rhythm’ left audiences astounded as he employed all his musical proficiency plus his audio expertise. He also used this set-up when other band members joined.  

Norman decided to return to study and while still in the gigging scene started the long road to an Open University Degree in Computing which he proudly and successfully completed part-time over several years. This then led to him giving up music full time and becoming a Computer Technician in the Regional College. Once again through his diligent work he gained the respect of his employers and colleagues. He was to stay there up until and through the pandemic before retiring recently.

He loved to travel, especially to the Canary Islands most Januarys to escape the winter blues and also to recover from what was normally a hectic gigging Christmas. But he had also been to Thailand, Australia, Turkey, and many other parts of the world. 

In June 2006 he and Helen met in Belfast and love blossomed with the two of them coming from a similar lab-work background and love of music and travel. 

In May 2019 Norman & Helen visited the Sykes’ American cousin Susan French in California. With Norman being such a foodie, what were the chances that both his American cousin and Rich, her husband, had worked at a Californian winery, with Rich as the manager…! According to Norman the wine was excellent..so now you know…!

It was younger brother Alan who coaxed Norman back to playing again around 2010 and through various bands they enjoyed playing in the blues scene and tribute band scene for the last decade, travelling throughout Ireland and playing at the various festivals there. 

Norman played his last gig just shy of a year ago when he told me it was time to retire from the scene. It wasn’t too long after that that Norman realised things weren’t good with his health and at Easter time this was confirmed. He was able to spend an evening with us and his niece, Aimee who had just graduated with a Masters Degree and was very proud of her hard work and achievement and waited until after that to give us his health news. 

He really did put up an exceptional fight for some months before realising it couldn’t go on and told us all  of the situation just a couple of months ago.  

The family would like to thank all the MacMillan Cancer Unit medical staff in Antrim for their devotion and care for Norman during his final weeks. Also, the amazing staff at the City Hospital Cancer Unit and above all his devoted partner, Helen who has been constantly with him each day throughout caring for him.

Norman Henry Sykes

Cross country runner, Scientist, IT Expert, excellent audio engineer, fabulous chef, keen baker, traveller, musician, partner, brother and friend.

You will be sorely missed by us all.