Robert Smith RIP - Skiff Skats banjo legend and thoroughly good bloke

Today saw the funeral of Robert Smith, best know as the Banjo player for the original Mill Hillbillies, the Skiff Skats. The Skiff Skats were a North London legend, founded by brothers Robert and Pete 'Pigmeat' Smith. They played just about every London venue and appeared on the Old Grey Whistler Test and Tonight. Their style was Hillbilly/Country played frantically and enthusiastically. The band also made a video of the track Cripple Creek.



After the band split, Roberts brother Pete went on to have a career as a successful blues guitarist, but sadly passed away in 1999. Here is an example of his work. Sadly he succumbed to liver cancer in 1999.


After the demise of the Skiff Skatts Robert, concentrated on his Landscape gardening business for a few years, before deciding on a radical career change. Robert took a law degree and qualified as a solicitor. In 2015, after much nagging by friends (such as me) Robert got the band together for a series of reunion gigs, the highlight being at The 100 club, where they were joined on stage by a whole bunch of well known London musicians including members of Madness.

This clip features a short speech by Suggs of Madness



Sadly Robert had been plagued by ill health for many years, require a kidney transplant around ten years ago. Whilst this gave him a new lease of life, enabling the reunion to take place and the chance to see his children grow up, eventually that too started to fail. I last saw Robert last year and sadly he wasn't in good health at all. We arranged to have a drink when he improved, he was hoping for another transplant. Sadly that was not to be.

As well as music, Roberts other love was Cricket. Robert was a member of the Mill Hill Village Cricket club. Many of his friends from the club attended the wake today. There was a lovely collection of memorabilia from the Skiffs on display.

Robert Smith RIP - A true Mill Hill legend pic.twitter.com/Dz6jr3gxmF

— Roger Tichborne/RogT #CTID (@Barneteye) May 31, 2019

So long old friend, safe journey.

.

The Skiff Skats - Happy Times

One day, when I'm too old and too decrepid to do anything else, I'm going to write a book about the various bands on the Barnet/Mill Hill scene in the late 70's early 80's. I'm sure it will bring me and at least 6 or 7 other people a lot of pleasure.

One band which will certainly merit a chapter are the Skiff Skats. This cowpoke/rockabilly combo were lead by the notorious Smith Brothers, Pigmeat Pete on Guitar(who sadly passed away in 1999) and Rob on Banjo. They were part of a whole scene of turbocharged country tinged music. From this scene the most famous band are "The Pogues" featuring Shane McGowan, but for a time the Skiffs were real contenders.

Anyway, I just got an email from my old mate Rob Smith, who sent me a link to their brand new website. For those of you with a love of the local music scene, check it out :-
http://www.skiffskats.co.uk/