'He was one of a kind': Tributes to Wakefield music 'legend' who gave The Cribs their break

Wakefield’s music community has been paying tribute to Neil ‘Clink’ Clarkson, the man behind Audiozone, the rehearsal studio that became an important starting point for generations of local bands.

Mr Clarkson, who was 62, died unexpectedly earlier this month. He grew up in Lupset and lived in Wakefield all his life.

He opened Audiozone on Back Garden Street in 1993, and over the next 33 years it became a meeting place for musicians and artists across the city. For many young bands, including The Cribs, it was where their first steps were taken.

His daughter, Poppy Mincher, said the studio was a reflection of her father’s love of music and his commitment to helping others.

She said: "For 33 years, Dad ran Audiozone. It was more than a business, it reflected his love of music, people and helping local musicians get their start.

"He found gigs for local bands and gave them a safe place to rehearse and grow.

"Money was never his priority; when a band was struggling, he often invited them to pay what they could, ensuring cost never stood in the way of their passion.

"The studio became a valued part of the local music community, although he probably never realised just how many lives he touched.

"Losing dad has left an enormous hole in our family, but the community’s love, support and shared stories have brought us great comfort. His legacy is truly special, and we are incredibly proud of everything he did for local music."

His brother, Mark Clarkson, said Neil also gave band Celt Islam their start, and remembered him as someone who put people first.

Mark said: "He was loved and appreciated by everyone who came into contact with him.

"He cared more about the individual and helping them with development and giving them opportunities.

"He didn't care about money...If you wanted to play he was there to support and help."

Away from the studio, Mr Clarkson was also the drummer with Wakefield-based band Skiprat.

Skiprat lead singer Russ Ong said the loss was impossible to measure, and said their time together had gone far beyond music.

He said: "There are no words that can truly measure the loss of someone who has been a pillar of your life for over three decades. When you’ve spent 30 years as friends, and 25 of those years sharing a stage, a van, and a rhythm, a bandmate becomes far more than just a friend – they become family.

"For a quarter of a century, Clink was the powerhouse behind the kit for Skiprat. He was the pulse of our music, the steady beat behind every song, and the heart of every single high, laugh, and memory we shared along the way.

"Countless festivals, late-night parties, long drives, and unforgettable moments – it’s impossible to put a number on the memories we built together, and it feels unthinkable to go forward without him. The rest of us in Skiprat are utterly, profoundly devastated.

"But Clink’s legacy stretches way beyond our band. Through Audiozone, he built a home for music in Wakefield. Without his rehearsal studio – and more importantly, without his generosity – so many local bands would never have had a place to turn up, plug in, and find their sound.

"Clink was one of a kind – a brilliant drummer, a selfless friend, a legend of the Wakefield music community, and the heartbeat of Skiprat.

"His presence will be missed beyond measure, but every beat, every story, and every memory he gave us will live on forever."

Guitar player and friend Kris Taylor said Audiozone had hosted a long list of Wakefield bands over the years, and said Mr Clarkson took particular pride in seeing The Cribs go on to achieve success.

He said: "So many Wakefield bands have been through the doors of Audiozone over the years a complete list would be impossible to compile. Bands like Pylon, Milloy, The Cribs, Quelladrive, Skiprat, Mental Block, Me and My Mates and Return To Chaos are some of my favourites.

"Clink was very proud that The Cribs – who had rehearsed at Audiozone early on in their career – had made good and become big stars and as a result, put Wakefield on the musical map and gave us all something to cheer about but he was equally proud of all bands and musicians that cited him as an influence, and there were many."

The Cribs also shared their memories of first meeting him as teenagers in 1994, when Audiozone was newly opened.

They wrote on the band’s Facebook page: "We first met Clink back in 1994, as 13 year old teenagers.

"We were some of his first regulars at his newly-opened Audiozone Studios, and he never forgot that.

"Back in those days, we had very VERY little in Wakefield – and Audiozone was the place for all of us outcasts and freaks.

"Yeah, it wasn’t fancy – far from it – but it was real and it was welcoming and it was *ours*. Beyond that, Clink helped support and build the local music scene from the ground up – giving us, and countless other Audiozone bands, our first real gigs in bars and pubs in town.

"Regardless of the fact we were mostly terrible, ha. But it didn’t matter – Clink was doing the deeply unglamorous work of planting those seeds that would later turn Wakefield into what it has now become – a vibrant, tight knit, and culturally ambitious scene punching far above it’s weight, which we all love (whether we fully acknowledge it or not).

"This is Clink’s legacy - and everyone who passed through Audiozone’s hallowed halls knows that, and where and with whom it all started. A true Wakefield legend."

Mr Clarkson is also survived by his mum, Maureen Clarkson, and his granddaughter, Mabel Mincher.

Mark Clarkson said mourners are welcome at the funeral service from 11.45am on Friday October 16 at St Austin's Church, Wentworth Terrace, Wakefield, followed by a private burial for family.

He said Clinkfest, a celebration of Neil’s life, will take place at a number of venues in Wakefield from around 2pm on October 16 and over the weekend of October 17 and 18.