Andrew Leaver

Andy was born at home in Perry Mead, Bushey on 26th January 1963, during a famously long and cold winter. He went Merry Hill Infants School, Ashfield Primary School and Bushey Meads School in 1974.

He loved music, and in the 70's he built an eclectic collection of vinyl including Chic, Talking Heads, B52's, Bowie, Roxy Music and a whole bunch of Reggae albums including Steel Pulse, Black Uhuru and Gregory Issacs. He learnt to play the acoustic guitar and was mostly self taught. He left school at 16 starting an apprenticeship as a colour retoucher at Sun Printers in Watford, where he joined my dad who had been working there for many years. Now having a bit of cash in his pocket he upgraded his sound systems and bought himself and electric guitar, amp and an impressive Marshall speaker.

With some school friends, including Andrew Ridgeley, Paul Ridgeley and George Michael (Yog), they formed a ska band called the Executive. They regularly practiced at our house, with Andy on the rhythm guitar. We had a Hammond keyboard which the band used to compose some of their songs, including "Rude Boy", an old Andy Williams' classic "Can't Get Used To Losing You" and a ska version of "Für Elise."

On a warm summers' evening, in our garden at Perry Mead, the band performed their songs to friends and neighbours, rehearsing for one of their first gigs at the scout hut in Bushey.

The band regularly practiced long sessions at our house. We also used to help ferry them and their equipment to gigs in our old Morris 2,200, and on one occasion they ripped a hole in the back seat with their heay kit. Yog said "Don't worry Mrs Leaver, we'll buy you a new one when were rich and famous!"

The Executive disbanded in 1981, Andrew Ridgeley and George went on to form Wham!, Andy and Paul wrote some songs, recorded a demo tape, and were talking to record labels.

We'd like to think that Andy was on the brink of something great, which may be true, but was stopped in his tracks when diagnosed with cancer in August 1982. He died at home, aged 19, on 23rd December that year.

Wham! dedicated their first album, Wham Fantastic, to Andy and another friend, Paul Atkins, who also died around that time.

If you have any memories to share or want some backgound info, email: Scott.

Music demo from 1982

Andrew Leaver, former band member of the Executive.

Andy pictured on the left, Paul pictured on the right, holding Andy's guitar.