A great man was Tony Ashton.

I am thankful that I have so many memories from over the years. It is impossible to relate them all, but these are some moments that stand out for me.

When I asked Tony to sing "Together Again" for "The Butterfly Ball", essentially a drinking song, he had just come out of rehab by a day or two. Nevertheless he gamely acted drunk but the irony was not lost on anybody. The following year, he stole the show at the Albert Hall, although he told me afterwards that it was all down to nerves - he was terrified that night.

The jam we did for Knut's 40th birthday in Hell was something very special and I'm grateful that I got the chance one more time to stand on a stage with him. An honour indeed.

One of the funniest times was at Ronnie Scott's Club, some time in the 70s. Ashton, Gardner and Dyke were performing and between songs Tony would talk. He came out with a long speech about the duty of performers. He rambled on at length that people who go on stage should be aware of their responsibilities as role models and that bad language is something that should be avoided at all costs because who knew what effect that might have on younger ears and that when anyone had a microphone they should refrain from such language, and on and on, etc. Then he said, "Oh, I've talked enough, fuck it - one, two, three, four..." and the band kicked in. I guess you had to be there. I'm glad I was.

He was an original, he invented many things, he had a wicked and wonderful sense of humour, he wrote some great songs, he had the kindest thoughts and was one of the gentlest men I have ever met.

He was blessed to have found love with Sandra. A tower of strength. My thoughts are with her and Indira at this painful time.

- Roger Glover

Top photo from Porsgrunn, Norway, January 24, 1997 - by Kjell-Tore Sandersen.
Bottom photo from Hell, Norway, October 4, 2000 - by Knut Morten Johanson.