The death of a 6ft 8in Cowes man remembered as a ‘gentle giant’ by legendary rock band The Stranglers is being investigated by the Coroner.
Alan James Robertson, of Worsley Road in Cowes, died at Southampton Hospital on 9th September after suffering an extensive intracranial haemorrhage following a fall.
The 67-year-old, who was born on 12th July 1959, was known to many as ‘Big Al’ and had a long association with The Stranglers, working as the band’s driver, security and ‘everything else guy’.
An inquest into his death was opened at the Isle of Wight Coroner’s Court yesterday (Wednesday) by Assistant Coroner Daren Samat.
The court heard that Alan died at 09:54 on 9th September, having been treated in the neurological unit at Southampton Hospital following the fall.
A post-mortem examination gave the medical cause of death as an intracranial haemorrhage, with liver cirrhosis, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension also recorded.
Following his death, The Stranglers paid tribute to the 6ft 8in man who had been part of their lives for many years.
The band said:
“Big Al was our driver, security and everything else guy for many years. A huge man at 6’8″, he was a gentle giant, with a warmth and kindness that was infectious, and he looked after us like a shepherd tending his flock, with great care and love.
“He was a tremendous guy in every regard, and he’ll be greatly missed by us all.”
