Tribute paid as town centre busker lays down his guitar

For several years Liam Cowan entertained at the Merry Street underpass with his guitar in hand, not always in tune, but always with a smile on his face.

His body was discovered at his flat on July 27, which coincidentally marked International Busking Day.

His cousin Frances Mason said: “Liam was brought up in Motherwell as the second oldest of a family of seven children, and was a cheerful young man, with wit and humour getting him through tricky times.

“In his early 20s he ventured to Essex to seek a job with his friend Jo, guitar in hand.

“There was many a happy story as they worked on local building site and lived in a caravan in the nearby village of Roydon.

“His faith was very important to him, going back to 1990, he went on a youth pilgrimage to Medjugorie, rosary beads never far away and often attended charismatic prayers groups in Motherwell

“Liam was one of life’s characters often surviving of the margins of society, however each day he would venture out with his guitar in hand and sing in a cheery fashion to earn a few pennies and brighten the day of many passing children and shoppers.

“He was often out of tune, but always had a smile on his face and the under pass will be a quiet place, until another young busker emerges.”

A well-attended funeral took place at Motherwell Cathedral on Friday.