Completed in 1991, Zermattitis, was the first of a planned trilogy of books written by Tony Ashton. Now in conjunction with Tony’s widow, it is being publishing for the first time. Painstakingly transcribed from Tony's hand written manuscript, it is written in his inimitable style and will have your sides splitting with laughter throughout. Zermattitis isn’t a straightforward autobiography, it’s a collection of Tony’s memoirs and short stories that starts with his love affair with Zermatt in Switzerland, which he first visited with Ashton Gardner & Dyke, and which gave him the title for the book. Other stories include his escapades on the road with many including Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Alice Cooper, Deep Purple; Paice Ashton Lord, the GasTank TV series, and even the chapter on his bankruptcy is funnier than it has any right to be.
Tony Ashton, singer, musician and artist extraordinaire, who sadly died in 2001, was one of those unique figures who garnered more respect and admiration within the business than most of his contemporaries.
He first came to fame with his trio Ashton, Gardner & Dyke, best known for their 1971 smash hit Resurrection Shuffle, a song that has been immortalized by countless artists as diverse as Tom Jones, The Osmonds and Clarence Clemons. Aside from being a talented songwriter, Ashton was a gifted organist, adept as a producer, and in later life developed a reputation as an artist. Many of his works were bought by the television presenter and DJ Chris Evans for exhibition at his
art gallery, Well Hung, in Notting Hill, West London. For many he will always be closely associated with rock giants Deep Purple, whose management company signed Ashton Gardner & Dyke. In particular his friendship with Purple's founding member Jon Lord, who appropriately provides the book’s foreword. Together they released the 1974 album First Of The Big Bands before forming Paice, Ashton & Lord and releasing
the album, Malice in Wonderland. However his enduring popularity also rests on his conviviality, sense of humour and flair for showmanship.
This limited edition hardback comes with a DVD of rare and previously unreleased Ashton Gardner & Dyke film featuring a live performance from Montreux Jazz Festival 1970, a rare promo film of The Ballad Of The Remo Four, Resurrection Shuffle TV broadcast, as well as Tony's performance of his homage to John Lennon, The Big Freedom Dance filmed in part, in 1996, by Chris Evans.
* Foreword by Jon Lord
* Introduction by Sandra Ashton
* Endorsed by Billy Connolly and Ewan McGregor:
“Tony Ashton was one of the funniest and most life affirming people I have ever met. Above all he taught me one of life’s great ways of staying sane and alive at the same time: Make a “V” sign, show you just don’t care. Living by this advice has certainly done me no harm at all. For this alone I am truly grateful to Tony.” Billy Connolly
“I loved Tony Ashton and his unique, slightly skewed, vision of the world. And here it is, in his own words, in this book.” Ewan McGregor
