North Shields’ Hector Gannet Honour Family Legacy and Raise Funds for RNLI on Anniversary of Maritime Tragedy
North Shields band Hector Gannet are marking the release of their powerful new double A-side single with a sold-out hometown show on Saturday 15 November at The Exchange, North Shields — a date that carries deep personal significance for frontman Aaron Duff and his family.
On November 15, 1968, the converted trawler Hector Gannet was lost while attempting to rescue workers from the burning Hewett A oil rig in the North Sea. Battling 35-knot winds and 16-foot seas, the crew risked everything to save others trapped aboard the rig. The vessel was struck by a massive wave and sank, and three men lost their lives. One of the survivors was Aaron’s grandfather.
More than five decades later, Aaron carries that legacy through his music, performing under the name Hector Gannet in tribute to the ship and its crew. “It’s not a marketing angle – it’s family,” he says. “The name Hector Gannet is a respectful nod to the courage of those men, and to the coastal communities and working people who live with the sea in their blood.”
The band’s new release, Until My Bonnie Can Be Revived, features the voice of Aaron’s grandfather recounting the 1968 incident, making it one of the most personal and poignant recordings the group has ever made. The second track on the double A-side, which recently became BBC Introducing’s Track of the Week, has drawn national attention with its cinematic video and stirring themes of belonging, bravery and community.
To honour the men who lost their lives — and the spirit of those who continue to risk theirs at sea — Hector Gannet will be raising money for the RNLI at the November 15 show, which coincides with the 57th anniversary of the sinking. Although the original Hector Gannet wasn’t an RNLI vessel, its crew embodied everything the charity stands for: courage in the face of danger, risking lives to save others, and a deep sense of solidarity within maritime communities.
The RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews face similar conditions today — winter seas, sudden emergencies and the same selfless instinct to help others in peril. “The RNLI represents the same bravery my grandfather showed,” Aaron says. “This gig is our way of saying thank you — to those who go out and don’t always come back.”
The show, now sold out at 550 capacity, promises an emotional evening of live music, reflection and community — the very elements that define Hector Gannet’s sound and story. Donations collected on the night will go directly to supporting the RNLI’s life-saving work around the UK coastline.
Until My Bonnie Can Be Revived and its companion track are streaming now on all major platforms.
Hector Gannet are a North Shields-based band fronted by singer-songwriter Aaron Duff, known for their cinematic soundscapes, working-class storytelling and deep connection to the North East coast. Taking their name from a heroic trawler lost in a 1968 rescue attempt, the band’s music explores themes of identity, heritage and the sea.
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Photo: The band at North Shields (Aaron seated) (Vision Impact Photography)
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