Charity CEO Alex Lochrane
Picture: Alex Lochrane was appointed CEO of The Brain Tumour Charity in January 2022
/ Credit: The Brain Tumour Charity
Episodes one to three of The Hub's Brain Tumour Awareness Month 8GR8 Songs series featured a neurosurgeon from St George's Hospital, a craniotomy survivor, and a dynamic duo from King's College Hospital.
The series concludes with Alex Lochrane, The Brain Tumour Charity's new CEO, appointed in January 2022. Commenting on his choices, Alex says: "I hope these tracks fit the bill. They're a bit eclectic but: that’s me really! Thank you very much for asking me. It has actually been quite moving to pull this together. Music is such a universal language!"
You can read Alex's commentary on each choice under the videos, and listen to The Hub's conversation with Alex and to a playlist of his song choices, below. If you have been personally affected by a brain tumour you can Get Support from The Brain Tumour Charity, Get Involved in its campaigns and support its vital search for New Treatments.
1. Stairway to Heaven
YouTube video: Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven Live
Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven: Brings back big memories of boarding school in the late 70s where I was properly introduced to heavy rock (Sabbath, Deep Purple, Genesis, etc.) and this track has stuck with me over many years – all 8 minutes of it!
2. A Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
YouTube video: Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway Live 1974/5 Movie
Genesis – A Lamb Lies Down on Broadway: Similar to the above, I have always followed Genesis and this was also my first live concert, in Roundhay Park Leeds in Summer 1993. Genesis has always written marvellous ballads but this is one of the best – in my humble opinion!
3. Theme from Top Gun
YouTube video: Harold Faltermeyer - Top Gun Opening Theme
Top Gun – Harold Faltermeryer’s theme: During my early years in the Submarine Service we were deployed to the Pacific for 6 months. We had a maintenance lay over in San Diego, California, which just happened to coincide with the release of the original film, made just up the road at the US Navy Fighter Pilot training school at Miramar Naval Air Base.
A few weeks after the film’s release, this was where my best mate and I ended up getting very drunk one evening (young naval officers!) trying to prove to US Navy fighter jocks that us RN Submariners could drink them all under the table! I think it was a draw!
4. The Way It Is
YouTube video: Bruce Hornsby - The Way It Is
Bruce Hornsby and the Range - The Way It Is: This brings back memories of my wedding as my best man (the best mate from above!) was playing this in the car as we drove to the church. A hell of a day almost 32 years ago (28/04/90) and she is still with me today, thank the Good Lord.
5. Piano Man
YouTube video: Billy Joel - Piano Man
Billy Joel - Piano Man (what else!): Bucket list time: Wembley stadium in summer 2019 (BC!); his first UK date in 10 years and it was unforgettable. He is a songwriter and singer who has written so many songs that punctuate my life. Every time I play one of the 6 or 7 albums of his I have, the memories just flow!
6. Every Teardrop A Waterfall
YouTube video: Coldplay - Every Teardrop is a Waterfall
Coldplay - Every Teardrop a Waterfall: Elsewhere on my bucket list is to go see these guys in concert and to hope they play this track which always makes me stop and try and clear the smoke from my eyes!
7. The Planets IV: Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity
YouTube video: The Planets IV: Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity - Gustav Holst
Gustav Holst: The Planets - Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity: I would not particularly style myself as a classical music buff but The Planets always makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. The final movement of this piece always gives me goosebumps.
It was also the first time I ever went to the Albert Hall, taken by my brother – I think in a vain attempt to ‘culturise’ me! This is also the tune to one of my favourite hymns ‘I vow to thee my Country’.
8. Jerusalem
YouTube video: BBC Proms: Hubert Parry - Jerusalem (orch. Elgar)
William Blake - Jerusalem: Where do I start with this one! My school hymn; sung at my wedding; sung at my daughter’s wedding; played at just about every rugby match I’ve been to; hopefully they’ll play me out to this one too!
Listen to Alex
In an honest and reflective conversation, Alex Lochrane, the CEO of the Brain Tumour Charity, reveals how his BTAM 8GR8 Songs choices interweave with his life and career.
Alex discusses how his background as a military and family man, his second career as a third sector CEO and his faith, will guide him as he and colleagues at The Brain Tumour Charity co-create a new strategy alongside others to defeat brain tumours.
Alex's love and admiration for his family, and delight at his recent persona of being a grandfather, is referenced throughout the conversation. His wife Louisa is "Commander in Chief at Home, who has walked with me on this funny old road for 37 years."
Annabel is their "eldest daughter and a paediatric registrar (and now mum to Winnifred, who is 2 weeks old)". Ollie is an "ex-Royal Marine commando and dad to Freya (8) and Arthur (22m)". Angus, Louisa and Alex's youngest child, is "(20) and in his third year at Oxford reading French".
You can listen to The Hub's conversation with Alex Lochrane by clicking on the link below.
Alex on the Radio
You can listen to the broadcast of Alex Lochrane's BTAM 8GR8 Songs on Epsom Hospital Radio by clicking on the links below.
EHR: 29 April 2022 Two to Three PM
EHR: 29 April 2022 Three to Four PM
Listen to the Playlist
You can listen to a playlist of Alex's BTAM 8GR8 Songs by clicking on the link below.