Tony Ashton - my memories

A great man and excellent musician has passed away. But his music will live forever!

I have great memories. I have had the chance to see Tony together with Jon Lord, Pete York, Colin Hodgkinson, Miller Andersson and Zoot Money a few years ago in Kiel and Hamburg. These were unforgetable concerts. I will never forget his version of "It's Weird".

What a fine and funny man. Great musician. Although all above mentioned are fantastic musicians, and all had their solo parts, Tony was everybody's darling at these shows.

Tony, Pete and Jon allowed me to film both shows. These were the first shows I have ever filmed. With an old VHS-shoulder-camera. I was not allowed to do any copies of it - and I didn't. I made only two copies: One for Jon and one for Pete. These are great memories. Tony is so lively on it!

After the concerts I had the chance to go backstage. I ask Tony a lot of questions about PAL, "Butterfly Ball" and "First Of the Big Bands", my friend Thomas ask questions about Ashton, Gardner & Dyke and Remo Four. But he told us that this all was about 80 years ago and he can't really remember - I will never forget.

I hope Jon has still his copy of the video and has the power to watch Tony on it again.

I'm sure Tony has now a great band together with Tommy Bolin, Phil Lynott, Cozy Powell, Darrell Sweet and Gary Driscoll (oops, three drummers? - why not!)- to name only a few.

He will always be "A Silly Boy"!

My kindest thoughts to his wife and daughter.

Karl-Heinz Baier