Music makers and lovers are mourning the death of Donald Ashley, a legendary drummer, composer and producer in the city for decades. He died at the age of 58, survived by his son Ian.
The Hong Kong-born musician was known for his active role during the rise of Canto-pop stars in the 1980s. Singers Paula Tsui and Shirley Kwan, for example, enlisted him as a drummer.He was also a mentor to a young generation of local band leaders, including Paul Wong of Beyond and Joey Tang of Taichi, to name a few.
Born of an American father and Malaysian mother, Ashley became fixated by drums after receiving a conga on his fifth birthday. Despite family opposition, he became a self-taught drummer and formed his first band, Donald and the Ducks.
Being a huge fan of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, the Eurasian adopted Tang Long as his Chinese name, the name of Lee's character in the 1970s film, .
In the mid-1970s, Ashley joined the Ramband, lining up with guitarist Peter Ng in their hard rock repertoire to great acclaim. Their concert in April 1980 drew rave reviews. But it was with Chyna, a new band Ashley joined in the 1980s, that he made history for himself and for Hong Kong.
According to Anders Nelsson, a local band veteran who had known Ashley since his teenage years, Chyna was the first group to perform rock 'n' roll music in China. Ashley's song, , became a bestselling hit in Chyna's first album, in 1983, and made it to Britain's Billboard Top 10 Charts in 1987.
In recent years, Ashley was busy with studio teaching and recording. His last recorded sound is captured in Nelsson's , released last year.
"He kept his passion for drums and pupils to the very last days of his life. He will be dearly missed," Nelsson said.
This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Drummer part of city's rock and roll history
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