Melbourne community radio announcer Genevieve Blackmore has lost her battle with breast cancer yesterday (September 5).
Blackmore was co-host of the RRR radio show Livewire, which focuses on upcoming gigs in Melbourne, as well as live recordings of artists, although due to illness she had not appeared on the show for quite some time.
In 2004 her band Your Wedding Night had a minor radio favourite with L-A-C-H-L-A-N. The band reformed on February 16 earlier this year for a one-off show at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne which was put on to raise money for her treatment. The show also included performances by Architecture in Helsinki, Dan Luscombe (The Drones) and Davey Lane (You Am I, The Pictures) to name a few.
Speaking to Noise11, Blackmore’s co-host on Livewire Paul “Pauly P” Trapani said: “Gen had a great rapport with local bands on Livewire. She seemed to know every announcer, booker, roadie and band from the 90s. She had cred.”
Her music taste was as diverse as tastes come. “She had a great love of the most commercial pop music, and Russell Brand.” Trapani added. “She would say that his relationship with Katy Perry wouldn’t last.”
It’s not all pop, however. “She once met Slayer backstage at one of their shows in the 90s,” Trapani fondly recalled.
My first appearance on radio was with Gen and Paul on Livewire. During that first show, “Genny B” was there by my side pretending not to notice that I had no idea what I was doing. It was an honour to know her and she will be missed.
Our thoughts are with her friends and family at this hard time.
If you wish to make a donation to cover the costs of her funeral, details can be found here: http://gennyb.com/
Follow the author Tim Cashmere on Twitter.