Tributes have been flooding in for the Godfather of the Bristol music scene, DJ Superfly, on the eve of a celebration of his life on Saturday. Superfly was the first black presenter on BBC Radio Bristol and was a key figure in the growing music scene in Bristol in the 1970s and 80s.
The father of four’s real name was Mike Bernard, and in a varied and important career as a DJ, presenter, music producer and in television, he rubbed shoulders with everyone from Mary J Blige to Muhammad Ali and Eddie Murphy.
Mike sadly passed away at the age of 69 on March 15. On Saturday night, March 26, friends and family and leading figures in Bristol’s music scene are gathering at the Rose Green Centre in Whitehall to celebrate his life.
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Such was his importance to music in Bristol, and the bringing together of the white and black communities in the city in the 70s and 80s, that everyone from Massive Attack's Daddy G to TV presenter Alex Beresford have paid tribute to Mike.
Andrew Hartley - aka DJ Style, a presenter on BBC Radio Bristol and Ujima Radio - said Superfly was a household name in Bristol in his heyday and brought the city’s communities together through the power of music. He arrived in the UK from Jamaica at the age of just eight years old, back in the early 1960s, and went to Newfoundland Road primary school and then secondary school at Bishopston School.
“From a young age he enjoyed music, listening to it on his parent's record player in the front room,” said DJ Style. “When Superfly came of age he would begin putting on his own promotions, and his first-ever event was held at The Salutation Pub in Henbury. As his popularity grew he would go on to become a regular on the decks in venues such as the Turntable Club, The Rummer, Reeves, Golden Lounge, Top Cat and PS Stowaways in Newport.
“By now, he was already a household name at the time he started his residency at the legendary Dug Out Club, but it's considered that this venue is probably what parachuted Superfly further into the limelight. He brought blacks and whites together at a club that prominently held punk nights, during a period where racial tension was high in the UK, but that didn't stop the embracement of musical cultures..
“The pay was pittance, but he loved the work so much he would tell venue owner Brian Jones to hold onto the money until it added up to £10 at the end of the month. Alongside his brother Seymour and friend Dennis Richards, the trio could also be found spinning some of the top tunes of the time at The Princess Court & The Blue Lagoon."
He also appeared as a DJ at the legendary Bamboo Club, and after it infamously burned down in 1977, owner Tony Bullimore booked him for another venue he owned, The Granary, even though it was a rock venue and Superfly was Bristol’s leading soul DJ.
DJ Style said Superfly was a ‘true music connoisseur’ who would go on shopping trips to Blues and Soul record store near Oxford Street in London, to pick up all the latest imports. “Superfly was always on the cutting edge on what was hot, and the next big hits to come out,” he said.
By day Superfly went by his real name Mike Bernard and he worked as a television engineer, who got his first job with Rediffusion at the age of 16. In 1977, in his mid-20s, he got a job in London for Revox, and became great friends with one of its customers, the leading studio engineer Roy Parsons.
“Mike's talent had no limit, and as a music fanatic and a gifted DJ his talent would see him become the first black radio presenter on BBC Radio Bristol in 1978,” said DJ Style. “He was allocated 15 mins on a rock show which was presented by Andy Fox.”
Mike once spent time teaching Maths and English to youngsters at The Inkworks in St Pauls, and was instrumental in building the Bristol soul scene, promoting local and international artists. In the 1980s, he formed a friendship with Jazzie B, the founder of Soul II Soul, who would borrow from his extensive record collection, and DJ’d alongside Trevor Nelson at the African Centre in London.
Back in Bristol in the early-to-mid-1980s, Superfly was a key player in connecting the dots that formed the Wild Bunch and connected the young Bristol musicians and DJs with the London scene.
“As a DJ, Superfly was a founding father of the Bristol music scene and beyond, introducing black music to a wider audience,” said Daddy G and Milo, former Wild Bunch members. We, as the Wild Bunch, feel honoured to follow in his footsteps on the path he helped to lay.
“He was a great influence to us, and many others, and a jewel in the Bristol crown. His legacy will never be forgotten,” they added.
In the later 1980s and 90s, he moved into organising more and more events in Bristol, including toasting competitions at the Trinity Centre, giving opportunities for younger talent to come through. He was also a regular DJ at the Moonlighting club in London.
DJ Style said: “There, he would rub shoulders with A-listers such as Mary J Blige, Muhammad Ali & Eddie Murphy. Whilst in Jamaica with his brother Seymour they were fortunate enough to meet Marvin Gaye in Jamaica which was a proud moment for him, as well as meeting Joe Frasier.
And into the 1990s, Mike moved into Bristol’s early radio stations. He became one of the directors of Kute FM, and was part of their successful bid to get a licence.
“Our condolences and blessings go out to all of Mike’s family and loved ones at this time,” said broadcaster Pat Hart, who was also a Kute FM director and worked alongside Superfly as part of the Freshblood Crew.
“Superfly was a connector of people, a trailblazing DJ and presenter and a mentor to so many upcoming and established artists. His ability to spot talent and nurture it alongside his commitment to embrace people from all backgrounds made him highly respected and loved by so many. He was passionate about music and radio but mostly about people. It's a sad time for us all right now,” Mr Hart added.
Mike went on to achieve a law degree as a mature student, and continued to fly the flag for soul music, and would introduce people to it anytime he could, whether on the radio or at promoted events, he would even bring his selection to blues dances. Even though this was a predominantly reggae environment, he won people over with his talent, and earned their respect as a DJ.
On the lookout for local talent, he would organise toasting competitions at the Trinity Centre, giving opportunities and encouragement for the next wave of talent to come through.
Another one of his regular spots was Moonlighting in London, were In the mid 90's he would become a one of the directors of Kute FM and was part of their successful bid in securing a commercial radio license. The station was instrumental in breaking acts like Lighthouse Family & promoting top RnB acts of the time, such as platinum-selling group Kut Klose.
Lynn Mareno, from the Rise Women programme on Ujima radio said Bristol would be a different place if it wasn’t for Mike ‘Superfly’ Bernard. “It is hard to imagine the world without Mike 'Superfly' Bernard,” she said. “He broke down so many barriers to make way for the rich diversity of music icons we have in Bristol today. He was Bristol's answer to the godfather of soul from the origins of the soul scene he introduced,” she added.
And his nephew, TV presenter Alex Beresford, simply knew him as ‘Uncle Mike’. “Uncle Mike was an incredible man who merged the roles of uncle and father so much so you couldn't see the line,” he said. “We spent so much time together he was an integral part of my childhood. He helped shape the world for us and was passionate about the roles we play in it. He never sugar-coated his wisdom. It was raw but full of heart and I won't ever forget what he taught me."
Mike is survived by his two sons and two daughters, and his grandchildren.
DJ Style said Superfly’s legacy will live on for a long time. “When history is written about the music scene in Bristol Superfly's name should firmly be recognised as the forefather of soul music this city has created, and whose contribution is embedded in the fabric of every venue today,” he said. “Because of his tireless work, he enabled music to be brought to masses, and for DJs to even gain opportunities and be respected in their craft."
The celebration of life for Mike Bernard takes place on Saturday, March 26, from 6pm to midnight at the Rose Green Centre in Whitehall. The music is being provided by Dennis Richards, DJ Style, Dave Windsor C-sar and friends.
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