The recent unexpected death of bassist Dusty Hill was a huge shock to the music business and fans worldwide. I have followed the career of ZZ Top since the early 1970s, feeling that this was the most worthwhile band to listen to since my other favourites, Vanilla Fudge. In those days I would have bet a large sum on their remaining obscure, so no one was more surprised and pleased at their meteoric rise to superstardom, which they richly deserved. Having cut my teeth in power trios I immediately understood how important Dusty’s subtle yet strong bass playing was to the band. For half a century they continued to experiment and evolve whilst still retaining a great sound, and also understanding along the way the importance of a strong image and visual stage show. I was very lucky to work on the bill supporting ZZ Top with my band Nasty Habits at a huge festival in Austria several years ago. When Dusty arrived, he treated everyone like a long-lost friend and it was an honour to meet and chat to a likeable man who will always be remembered as one of the best vocalists and bassists in the rock and roll business! Thanks for the music, Dusty. Sleep well.

I recently heard of another sad event, the death of Dave Langston,  affectionately known as “Cy”,  short for Cyrano. Dave joined up with his close neighbour and school friend Keith Dyett to form a group during the early 1960s. Making a play on Dave’s prominent nose, they dubbed themselves Cyrano and the Bergeracs, after the legendary French figure who is always depicted with a very long nose. With Dave singing and playing guitar and Keith playing bass, they added a succession of excellent West London musicians to become one of the best groups in the area, soon attracting a strong following. During the start of 1965 two members of the outfit in which I played (Buddy Britten and the Regents) departed to join the Bergeracs. Ray Soper on keyboards and Roger Pinah on drums were both great musicians and so I made several visits to see the band play. I was very impressed with them, and particularly with Cyrano who was a good front man and very able lead guitarist. Those who have read Chapter 6 on this website will already know the story of my own departure from the Regents and the surprising invitation from Dave to join him on lead guitar.

Although extremely rusty, I took over using Dave’s Eko guitar until I managed to borrow a Stratocaster from a friend. Without the encumbrance of a guitar Cyrano proved to be an even better front man than before. We toured the country with great success in the clubs and ballrooms and all felt that the Bergeracs had a good future ahead of them. When our old boss Buddy Britten offered Roger and myself a contract for a summer season in Jersey, where he had a huge following, the lure proved too much and so we left the Bergeracs in April 1965.

Cyrano and co. soon recruited two more excellent players. but after a short time, for reasons unknown to me, the band split and went their separate ways. Later in the year, on hearing that I had left the Regents for good, Dave Langston offered me the bass job in his new and we began to rehearse in earnest. However, in spite of Dave’s constant enthusiasm it soon became obvious the chemistry wasn’t there, and so we unanimously decided to call it a day. Cy was immediately recruited by another top outfit called Gary Farr and the T-Bones, so it was a shock to everyone who knew him when he suddenly announced his intention to quit playing to become road manager for local band The Who, already starting to become successful at that time. Most of Dave’s friends and associates felt that he could have made it as a musician, but determined to stick with it he soon became an indispensable member of The Who’s entourage, forging an excellent career for himself. He specialised in the field of recording and engineering and still kept up his guitar skills. During the 1980’s, I bumped into Cy after many years whilst visiting Shepperton Studio Complex where the Who had interests. We cheerfully reminisced for 15 minutes or so before parting company. Sadly, I was never to see him again, although I always retain fond memories of my time with him in the Bergeracs. So yet another of the Hanwell Marshall set has departed. A talented man and above all, a nice man, he will be sadly missed. Rest in peace, Cyrano.