By Jason Reid
We hear from scene legend Spike Rhodes’s friends and colleagues as we remember a brave and wonderful man!
Performer, promoter, director and activist, Spike Rhodes was a bastion of proud queerness and his recent sudden death came as a shock to many. My first interaction with Spike was when I started at QX in 2011 and he was producing Drama Queens’ shows; I was struck by his passion for performancea. The more I got to know him, the more I was in awe of how he chose to approach life and what he’d achieved, all with a cheeky smile and a glint in his eye.
In the 80s and 90s an HIV+ diagnosis was more often than not a death sentence and something to be ashamed of, however Spike proudly proclaimed his positive status and even created club nights, Warriors and Renegades, that set about to de-stigmatise the disease. Personally, I will remember Spike for being the greatest warrior of HIV survival I have ever met, for supporting me through my HIV ‘coming out’ period, and for being someone who laid the foundations for generations of positive people to feel empowered and unafraid. If it wasn’t for the bravery of those like Spike who came before, people like me would more than likely still be living life in the HIV closet.
CraigerBell
I worked with Spike for years as Company Manager of the Drama Queens and we became close friends. We went through everything together: laughter, tears, tantrums and great success. Spike taught me so much about our queer history and he was so passionate about every detail of his vision. The man was not only a pioneer but a true creative genius; I’ve never known anyone’s mind to work like his. Spike was one of those people that you just thought would always be around and most definitely will live on in the masterpieces and friendships of a family that he created. Thank you Master for putting sparkle into my life.
Rose Garden
Spike was a force to be reckoned with and he loved performance in all shapes and forms. He could see the big picture when everyone else was having problems. He knew the talents of all of his performers and how best to use them. He helped steer my drag career in a different direction, for the better, and I thank him for that. He was a creative genius and a hard taskmaster. Thank you, Spike, for everything.
Morag McDuff
Spike was a visionary and a dedicated artist who put 110% into everything he had a passion for, be it directing a fantastic show or helping an LGBT cause. To me he was an inspiration, a pioneer and a friend.
Lee Dalloway
As director/creator of the Drama Queens he founded a group that not only produced brilliant, warm and hilarious musical theatre, he also gathered a beautiful team of people who laughed as hard as we worked and performed. Spike was a survivor. He didn’t suffer fools and was extremely good at what he did. He also had a big heart, and helped me tremendously through a difficult time some years ago. We had dinner just a couple of months ago, and I’ll miss him terribly. Thank you for being bold, funny, brave and thoroughly unapologetic.
Mrs. Moore
I didn’t meet Spike until we started the Drama Queens at The Black Cap, although it’s safe to say I was most definitely at Warriors on more than one occasion dancing my tits off. Spike brought theatre back into my life; his passion for putting on shows and encouraging all types of drag and ‘newbies’ as he called them is something I cherish. His relentless efforts to raise awareness on many subjects was inspirational. He taught me so much about drag history and for that I’m forever grateful. The scene has lost a legend and a light has gone out on the lighting rig but Spike will always be my Mr. T from Sweeny Todd.
Goodbye Mr. Producer – Spike Rhodes’ Tribute is on 25 March, from 6pm, at the Two Brewers, Clapham.
