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Stewart Henderson's epitaph:
What is there to say? I could sit here for hours, days and weeks trying to think of some way to capture the emotions or experiences of the last 10 or 11 years and there's no way I'd do it justice. The Delgados were a fucking tremendous band, especially if you happened to be in them – honest, down to earth, hilarious company and, particularly in the case of Alun and Emma, truly gifted songwriters.
We started the band with little or no expectations whatsoever, struggling, in the case of Paul and I, to learn our respective instruments and trying to make sure - above all else, that we weren't fucking pish. I've talked at length in various diary entries about events and coincidences that helped the band along our way so there's no need to repeat myself. Suffice to say that, over the course of the last 10 years I have came across a dizzying array of characters: cunts both great and horrible, people who I would consider amongst the best and worst I've ever met.
This is an industry that exaggerates the qualities people already possess: those with a tendency to self-importance become insufferable wanks; those who are a good laugh down the pub tend to remain a good laugh down the pub and more often than not, get the drinks in. I can hold my head up high and say that, perhaps with the odd exception (although I can't think of any), we were the latter. I'm immensely proud of our records and as a result of making them I've got to share in some of the most amazing experiences, travel to some of the most spectacular places and hang out with a bunch of uniquely splendid individuals.
Truth is though, it knocked fuck out me. Physically, emotionally and financially I found it increasingly difficult to pour so much of my energy and time into something that never quite seemed to get the attention or respect I felt it deserved. I would be a traitor to myself as well as to every Delgado fan if I continued to clock on and clock off, dragging myself into a recording studio, giving half hearted, insincere interviews and generally continuing with the band when my heart wasn't in it.
This is not an Oscar speech, a eulogy or a pointless farewell: just a 'love you' to the band and crew; a thank you to everyone who has ever worked for us; and an acknowledgement of the debt of gratitude I owe to all of you who have bought our records and came to our concerts. Because of your support I have made more friends and visited more places in the world than I could have ever thought possible.
I will never be able to thank you enough.
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