Cleo Sylvestre aka Honey B Mama RIP

I was shocked to read today that Cleo Sylvestre, a friend of the Woodies and a singer who has appeared at a Tales From The Woods show, has died at the age of 79. A couple of months ago I asked her if she would agree to an interview about her life and she said yes. Sadly it didn't happen. But she had a fascinating life and I have no doubt it would have been an interview full of interest. She was the first black woman to play a leading role in the National Theatre in London, but that was just one of many remarkable incidents in her life. In 1964 she recorded a version of 'To Know Him Is To Love Him' which was produced by Andrew Loog Oldham and backed by the Rolling Stones. She had a relationship with Brian Jones after he left the Stones and by her own account was due to be part of a new group he was forming, a plan that was ended with his death. She went on to have a successful career as an actress with the Young Vic and in regional theatres. She also appeared in numerous TV shows including Dr Who, Up The Junction and Poor Cow, and parts in Coronation Street, Crossroads, Grange Hill and many others. She was artistic director of the Rosemany Branch theatre and her one woman show The Marvellous Adventure of Mary Seacole was well received. She was awarded an MBE in 2023 for her services to drama and charity. In recent years she returned to singing and appeared as Honey B Mama, Hackney's Queen of the Blues. At the 2021 Tales From The Woods show at the 100 Club (pictured above) she sang Bessie Smith's 'Jailhouse Blues', 'Sweet Home Chicago', 'Midnight Special' and 'Let's Work Together'. A few weeks ago she appeared on BBC's Antiques Roadshow, with treasured mementos from her early career, including a hand-made Christmas card from Jimmy Page. RIP Cleo. She will be missed by many, not least those in the Woodies community who got to know her in recent years.