Daughter of Hayfield musician who died this month promises ‘party’ in his memory when lockdown is lifted

Lauren Cooper-Wood, 31, is planning a night of live music celebrating the life of her dad Colin John Cooper - who ‘loved a party’.

Singer and guitarist Colin was renowned in the High Peak as a member of bands Fairfax, Eric and the Frantics and Gene Therapy and the Chromosomes.

He and best pal Phil Strange formed folk band Fairfax before being joined by Steve Rawlins to create new band Eric and the Frantics.

Lauren said the Frantics’ gig most would remember was Hayfield’s Bulls Head in the late 1970s.

She told how so many people were squeezed into the first-floor room they were asked to leave the premises as plaster was falling from the ceiling onto the ground floor.

However the raucous performance continued - with the audience listening from the street outside.

Plumber Colin’s next project was a band called Gene Therapy and the Chromosomes.

They played mainly covers however Lauren said one of their most popular tunes - and their only original song - was the oddly titled Ballad For Ken Hill.

Speaking about Colin Lauren said she would always remember him for his ‘rubbish jokes’.

She said: “He was always game for a laugh - though he could come across as sarcastic but push come to shove he would do anything for anybody.

“Everybody knew him - I’ve received so many messages from people and I have no clue who a lot of them are.”

Mum-of-one Lauren, who is pregnant with her second child, described her and her family's ‘massive shock’ at Colin’s death from Covid-19.

She told how the father-of-three, who suffered from mild asthma, was careful with his health to the point of being a ‘hypochondriac’.

She said: “We lost my mum nine years ago to a long illness but this was just so quick.

“At home it’s on the news but you think it won’t affect you – until it happens.”

Grandfather-of-two Colin had been mildly ill for a week before his condition worsened and he was admitted to intensive care at Stepping Hill Hospital on April 1 - he died on April 13.

Due to rules around containing the virus none of Colin’s family could be by his side when he died.

Lauren added: “He would have had a funeral with 200 people there but that’s not going to happen now – when this is all over we’re planning a memorial service with bands playing.

“He would have wanted a party because he loved a party - and that’s how he would want to be remembered.”

As well as Lauren Colin leaves behind sons Josh, 30, Ben 28, partner June, granddaughter Clara, grandson Caleb and his sisters Suzanne and Janet.