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Article: Obituary: Tony Ashton
- Article from:
- The Independent (London, England)
- Article date:
- May 31, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2001 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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THE MUSICIAN, singer and composer Tony Ashton began his career
during the Beatles era, but his roots lay firmly in soul, jazz and
the blues. Ashton came to fame with his trio Ashton, Gardner & Dyke,
best known for their 1971 smash hit "Resurrection Shuffle". A gifted
organist, Ashton was adept as a producer and later in life developed
a reputation as an artist. However, his enduring popularity also
rested on his conviviality, sense of humour and flair for
showmanship.
Ashton was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, in 1946 and grew up in
Blackpool. His parents had an upright piano and Mrs Ashton sent her
son to piano lessons. "I learnt my own style and was happy with
that," he recalled. When he ...