Amy Winehouse's saxophonist feared he'd never play again after crash

Daily Mirror

4 days ago

Aaron Liddard who has played with Amy Winehouse, Prince, Bob Geldof and Beverley Knight, feared his musical career was over after he was badly injured in a horror road accident
Amy Winehouse's saxophonist feared he'd never play music again after he was thrown from his bike in an horrific crash and left with a shattered collarbone.
Aaron Liddard was thrown three meters through the air after being struck by a van and landing heavily on his shoulder. The 52-year-old professional musician who toured with Amy and featured in all of her television appearances, despaired his injuries would mean his livelihood and life's passion could be over.
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Speaking about the crash for first time, Aaron, who has also played with Prince, Sir Bob Geldof and Beverley Knight, told the Mirror he was on his way to a teaching appointment when he was hit and sent flying in Walthamstow, East London.
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The musician, whose saxophone notes are a core element to Amy's smash hit 'Rehab', said: 'I was riding along at about 15-17mph along a cycle lane when I heard somebody beeping behind me. I didn't really think much about it and had to move out to the edge of the cycle lane as there was a delivery scooter parked.
'As I did I found myself slammed into the side of a van and was aware I wasn't on the bike any more, as I Ianded really hard on the ground. The pain was excruciating as my shoulder hit the floor. I almost blacked out, my whole body was in agony and I was struggling to breathe. I managed to make my way off the road as I was in the middle of a busy road.'
The driver of the van stopped and took Aaron back to his car so he could drive to hospital. He eventually had an emergency operation to fuse his collar bone together. He has ended up with a metal plate and pins inserted into his collar bone and shoulder to fuse it together.
After taking advice from surgeons, Aaron hopes to be back performing by the end of the year, but is now taking legal action against the driver for personal injury through Osbornes Law.
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He said he wants the van driver to understand that their attempt to save a few seconds on that day in March, has cost him months of pain and put him through the fear of losing his music.
Aaron told the Mirror: 'I was in extreme pain all of the time and was basically disabled at that point. The pain has been incessant and chronic.
"The driver took a split second decision to put me at risk by passing me as he did, leaving me in daily pain. Pain from the broken bone, surgery, stiff back, healing skin, shortened muscles, torn ligaments, damaged nerves and physio. Pain on a daily basis for months.
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'The driver's attempt at saving 30 seconds from his journey has taken three months from my life, and continues to take three hours each day, plus average one day per week at hospital. I want him to understand how his actions have affected me."
He added: 'The worst thing is I feared I would never be able to play again. As a self-employed musician that is a terrifying thought.
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"Live music is the most competitive field you can imagine and I'm fortunate enough to be in a position where people pay to come and see me perform. The thought of losing that was devastating.
"But music is more than a profession for me. It's my spirituality, my passion, the meaning in my life, the connection I feel between everyone and everything. Whenever I listen, I'm hearing music, in nature or in the city.
"I wasn't just scared I'd lose my career, I was scared I'd lose my entire way of life physical emotional and spiritual being.'
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Aaron, who has his own band called Nylon Man that are playing in Norwich in July, was forced to cancel a number of live events including supporting a ska band on tour and a residency in Switzerland.
He said: 'Every week you aren't playing as a musician somebody else is taking your gig. It was an incredibly difficult period to live through and I've had some hard times in my life. That said I do feel extremely lucky as it could have been so much worse.
'I'm so grateful that I have been given the all clear to perform again and can play again. But others aren't so lucky when involved in a crash. Motorists have to be aware that they are driving a deadly weapon and need to take care, especially when passing cyclists.'
Nicola Hall, a specialist personal injury solicitor from Osbornes Law who represents Aaron, said: 'My client has been forced to live through significant trauma and pain through no fault of his own.
"The crash and his injuries have seriously disrupted his life and career. I would urge the defendant to settle this matter as quickly as possible so my client can move on with his life.'