The Birth of a Lifelong Affection

Owen Brown was a man who, like many others, found solace and joy in music. But unlike most, his taste wasn’t confined to softer sounds or classical symphonies. Brown was a heavy metal enthusiast, earning him the title of the “World’s Oldest Metal Fan”. Born and raised in Britain, he held a deep affection for this aggressive, high-intensity genre until his final days at the age of 87.

Brown’s love affair with music began with an old wind-up gramophone, a popular device used for playing music from the early 20th century up to the 1950s. The gramophone, with its antique charm, would play out the rock ‘n roll anthems of the time, capturing young Brown’s fascination and sparking his lifelong interest in music. It was an era of music that revolutionized the industry, pushing the boundaries of what was considered mainstream, and in the process, influencing future genres, including heavy metal.

As Brown grew, so did his taste in music. From the rock ‘n roll that filled his younger years, he ventured into the territory of 60s bands such as Cream, the Doors, and Eric Clapton, renowned figures who played pivotal roles in the music evolution of the 60s. Cream, with its fusion of rock, blues, and psychedelic music, The Doors, known for their distinctive mix of rock, blues, and jazz, and Eric Clapton, celebrated for his unique blend of rock and blues, paved the way for what would eventually become Brown’s most treasured genre: heavy metal. It was this heavier, rawer, more potent sound that won Brown’s heart in a way no other genre could, and his love for it only intensified as time passed.

But it was not just about the music for Brown. It was a lifestyle, a sanctuary. The metal music was his retreat, his escape. Brown had built his own sanctuary in the form of a shed where he could crank up the volume as loud as he wanted, and dive headfirst into the electrifying world of metal. The visceral, raw energy of the music, the growling vocals, the roaring guitars – they resonated with Brown on a deeply personal level. He would often say, “I can sit back with a drink and listen to Megadeth with no worries in the world.”

With such unwavering dedication to his music, Brown personified the spirit of metal, living by his own rules, and challenging the norm, like the music he so dearly loved.

The Golden Years of Metal – Owen’s Sanctuary

As Owen grew older, his affinity for heavy metal continued to flourish unabated. His sanctuary – the shed – evolved into his private concert venue, a place where he could crank up the volume and immerse himself fully in the raw power of metal. It became his fortress of solitude, where he could escape from the world and connect with the thunderous beats of bands like Megadeth, Metallica, and Iron Maiden.

The solitude of his shed allowed him to play his music “at full blast,” as he put it. As any devoted metalhead would argue, the only way to truly appreciate the complexity and intensity of heavy metal is to feel it reverberating through your bones, to let it shake you to your very core. And for Owen, this was the preferred way of experiencing his beloved genre.

The shed was also a testament to Brown’s unwavering dedication to his music. He would often retreat to his sanctuary late at night, sometimes even when he wasn’t feeling well. His son, Michael, recounted tales of his father up at 2am, engrossed in the loud rock music of the programme Planet Rock. Despite the potential for such late-night escapades to disturb others, Brown’s hearing was fine; it wasn’t about volume for volume’s sake. He just loved his music loud, embodying the classic metal ethos of living life to the fullest without compromises.

Even when his family members would plead with him to stop or at least turn down the volume, Brown’s love for his music was so strong that he simply couldn’t oblige. “It’s only worth listening to at full blast,” he would tell them. For Owen, there was no other way to experience the genre he so passionately adored. His appreciation for heavy metal wasn’t a phase or a fleeting interest; it was an essential part of who he was. As he once said, “Most people grow out of it, but I just never did.”

An Unbroken Bond – The Lasting Love for Metal

Owen Brown was not merely an ardent fan of heavy metal; he was a disciple of the genre. His dedication never waned, even as he advanced in years. Brown was a testament to the transformative power of music, specifically the unyielding beats and raw emotion of heavy metal. His life echoed the sentiments he expressed in 2009: “Rock has a great exciting rhythm that other music doesn’t have. Most people grow out of it but I just never did and still listen to rock as much as possible and will probably listen to it for the rest of my life now.”

For many, the fiery, aggressive rhythm of metal is a phase, a product of rebellious youth, something that gradually fades as one matures and life’s responsibilities take precedence. But Brown proved that age is not an obstacle to enjoying the music one loves. His devotion to heavy metal never faltered, regardless of the passing decades.

As the years passed, Brown’s family grew accustomed to his routine of late-night musical escapades. His nocturnal ritual of immersing himself in the pulsating rhythm of Planet Rock, a British digital radio station devoted to rock music, became a familiar part of the household’s rhythm. He often found himself in the early hours of the morning, caught in the enchantment of the metal symphony blasting from his radio. His hearing was as robust as his love for the music; the loudness was not a necessity, but a personal preference.

With every passing year, his love for the genre only seemed to deepen. It was a bond forged in the crucible of heavy guitar riffs, pounding drums, and raw, passionate lyrics. For Brown, heavy metal wasn’t just a genre; it was a lifelong companion, a soundtrack to his journey, the melody that had seen him through life’s highs and lows. His affection for the genre was so profound that he once stated he would “probably listen to it for the rest of his life now.”

True to his word, Brown remained a loyal devotee to heavy metal till his final breath. The world lost its oldest metal fan, but Owen Brown’s spirit lives on, immortalized through his unwavering love for the genre that had been his faithful companion for so many years. His journey is an inspiring testament to the power of music, and a gentle reminder that age is but a number when it comes to passion and love for one’s favorite tunes.