Now that sadly Paul Young is no longer with us, I can consider myself lucky to have known him a bit. The first time I met him was in Rome in March 1995. Mike & The Mechanics were there to talk with the journalists about their latest album "Beggar On A Beach Of Gold". On that occasion some face to face interviews were arranged, and I was the correspondent of the magazine Free. My friend Marco Leodori was with me, and I remember that while Mike and Paul Carrack were talking with another journalist, Marco and I were sat on another sofa waiting for our turn. In that precise moment Paul Young arrived, and passing close to us he greeted us even though he didn't know who we were (I mean, in a hotel hall where there were lots of people, not all journalists). During the conversation, I was intrigued by Paul for his interest, his wish that the work of the band was appreciated, and he was also very open minded musically (he mentioned Jeff Buckley and Hootie And The Blowfish among his favourite artists).
I met Young again last year in London, for an interview for Rockstar. When Achille Benigni, Helmut Janisch and I started talking with Paul Carrack, Young wasn't in the hotel suite yet; he joined in the middle of the conversation, and I guess he had just woken up (and he was wearing an incredible blue sports T-shirt). And when I asked him about his solo album, of which we had been hearing about for years, he replied that he hadn't had enough time as he was also a grandfather. Now that Paul has passed away, I feel a lot of tenderness thinking about this affectionate grandfather who plays with his grand-daughter, and in the night turns into a rocker full of energy. Because anyone who has seen Mike & The Mechanics on stage once perfectly knows that the band's live centre was Paul Young: even if less dominant as a composer, he worked hard with an obscure but very useful work on percussion, bass, acoustic guitar and keyboards, and it was especially Young at stage centre charging the audience.
Mike & The Mechanics never were among my favourite bands, and even the death of one of them can't change my mind. But I have always admired Paul Young: in the delicate balance of that band which was born as a semi solo project of Mike Rutherford and turned into a proper band incidentally, Paul's figure was absolutely necessary. I don't know if Rutherford and Carrack want to hold on to Mike & The Mechanics' name. One thing for sure: it will never be the same.
Mario Giammetti (Journalist for Dusk, Italian Genesis Magazine). 

The news about Paul was a great shock that is still upsetting. I always say that Paul was a natural born star who never shone brighter than when he was performing on stage and making people happy. We called him the 'King of rock n roll' and although we will all miss him greatly it is even harder for his family. May he rest in peace.
Paul Carrack

It was with great sadness, I learned of Paul's passing.

I think we met for the first time at Top Of The Pops, in the early eighties, when Paul was with Sad Café.

I came out after the show, flushed with the success of whatever was my latest hit, and couldn't find the limo I believed the record company had laid on. I asked a BBC commissioner, if he knew where my car was parked. He pointed me in the direction of a rather opulent looking dark blue stretch Mercedes. I couldn't fail to notice, it was already occupied.

There was Paul, comfortably settled in the back. He beckoned me to join him, kindly offering to give me a lift, (in my own car), to wherever I wanted to go, provided, of course, it didn't clash with his plans for the evening!

I believe we settled on Morton's. I say "believe", as I do recall going there, but I'm not certain I remember leaving!!

We met again, unexpectedly, about five years later, on the first Mechanics album. Fourteen years down the road, I'm happy to say I've been privileged to enjoy, at close quarters, the unique vocal talent that was Paul Young. To watch him bring his own brand of soul and inspiration, to my words, and music, was a thrilling experience, for which I will always be grateful.

From "Hanging By A Thread", to "Nobody's Perfect", "Let's Pretend It Didn't Happen", to "I Think I Got The Message", (although little known, always a personal favourite). From "A Beggar On A Beach Of Gold", to sadly, the last of my lyrics I think he ever recorded, "Look Across At Dreamland".

I was never especially close with Paul, but always felt when I wrote something he related to, he increased the intensity of that work, by giving selflessly of his own humanity. I will miss that musical relationship for the rest of my life.
B.A. Robertson

We are all shocked and devastated by Paul's death. He had a fantastic voice, one of the best rock voices of this generation, and aside from his musical talent he had such an infectious enthusiasm for the business. Paul loved performing. We all thought he would be singing in 50 years time.
Mike Rutherford

What a deep shock... Paul Young died a the age of just 53 years of a heart attack on Saturday evening July 15th. What a horrible loss... Paul, every time smiling, in the best mood, kind and friendly. He was not that "big star" performing on stage, he every time was like a good friend. Just pleasant and lovable. He was so special. He achieved giving his fans the feeling always being welcome, waved and smiled right from the stage when he was aware of some well-known faces in the front-rows..... Nobody else was able dragging the audience in this inimitable way.
Over the last 11 years I had the opportunity to meet him for several times here in Germany as well as in London. Every time he was willingly of some assistance.
I remember once I decided spontaneously to attend a show in Offenbach and had fear not getting any ticket anymore because it was already really late. Never I would have the courage to ask someone for a ticket, but Paul shortly put me on the Mechanics guest-list! I was really grateful... It followed that I got to know him a bit as the person behind the singer. So I discovered that behind the cheerful person was a sensitive, some time even a serious person.
It is really hard to accept that this fantastic man is gone. He left the stage of life and will never return. Our condolences and thoughts go to his widow pat, his children, grand-children and friends.
We will never forget Paul, he ever will stay alive in our hearts...
Ina Schneider

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