THERE was music. There was laughter. And there were friends galore, having fun. It was the kind of event that Tony Kelsey-Stead would have loved.
And who can say? If there is a place for recently-departed and much-loved Phuket writer-musicians-DJs to hang out, perhaps he did.
Kelsey-Stead, 58, died in London last month after a battle with leukemia. Tony, a retired science teacher came to Phuket ''many years ago'' and immediately fell in love with the place and the people he met.
A talented musician, he played in a number of local bands, he wrote for the 'Phuket Post', he started the amateur drama group, the Andaman Players, and he had his own music show on radio station 91.5FM.
He was perhaps best known among his extremely young fans for his role as the dame in the annual Christmas pantomimes staged at the Green Man pub.
The Players farewell in Chalong was followed last night by a musical farewell at the Friendship Beach.
Last night Tony's many muso mates paid tribute with a non-stop jam session. Performers included his old band, The Groove Doctors, the Colin Hill Band, the Bamboo Jam Band, singer Karen Beresford, the Rockin' Angels Band, and guitarist Sam Wilkinson.
At both functions, the hat was passed around to raise money for Tony's devoted partner, Fon.
The Green Man party, which featured a silent auction and a whip around, raised almost 20,000 baht for her. Publican Howard Digby-Johns also donated 10 percent of all drink sales on the night to the cause. Last night's party raised a similar amount.
And who can say? If there is a place for recently-departed and much-loved Phuket writer-musicians-DJs to hang out, perhaps he did.
Kelsey-Stead, 58, died in London last month after a battle with leukemia. Tony, a retired science teacher came to Phuket ''many years ago'' and immediately fell in love with the place and the people he met.
A talented musician, he played in a number of local bands, he wrote for the 'Phuket Post', he started the amateur drama group, the Andaman Players, and he had his own music show on radio station 91.5FM.
He was perhaps best known among his extremely young fans for his role as the dame in the annual Christmas pantomimes staged at the Green Man pub.
The Players farewell in Chalong was followed last night by a musical farewell at the Friendship Beach.
Last night Tony's many muso mates paid tribute with a non-stop jam session. Performers included his old band, The Groove Doctors, the Colin Hill Band, the Bamboo Jam Band, singer Karen Beresford, the Rockin' Angels Band, and guitarist Sam Wilkinson.
At both functions, the hat was passed around to raise money for Tony's devoted partner, Fon.
The Green Man party, which featured a silent auction and a whip around, raised almost 20,000 baht for her. Publican Howard Digby-Johns also donated 10 percent of all drink sales on the night to the cause. Last night's party raised a similar amount.
Great photos. Try to spot the next one to shuffle off this mortal coil...
Posted by Louise Carlton on May 5, 2010 16:27