I've just received the sad news that Back Door's drummer Tony Hicks has died at his Australian home. I'm sure anyone who ever had the pleasure of seeing him play during the 70's at Blakey and more recently at the re-union gigs will have great memories of him.

I'm not much of a music reviewer, but I'll remember him as the coolest, most laid back, groovin' drummer I've ever seen, and I'll always get a shiver down my spine when I think of the accordian/sax piece he played with Ron Aspery up here a short while back. What's more, he was a thoroughly nice, friendly bloke with a great sense of humour. He will be greatly missed.

Paul



http://www.blakeymusic.com/backdoor.htm

Tony Hicks 1948 - 2006
The LiNK magazine, September edition 2006

Tony Hicks, one the greatest musicians this area has known, died in Sydney on Saturday 12th August 2006

He had set up his drum kit and was waiting to get up on stage when he had a brain haemorrhage. The venue was at one of his favourite places in Australia.

16 years old, Tony got the call in Middlesbrough from Eric Delaney - would he join as "band boy" or roadie as they're now known. Sax player Ron Aspery had recommended him. "I knew Ronnie Aspery in them days, and the job came up and he said, "Oh, get Hicksy to do it". Of course I was only sixteen - I didn't have a driving licence, but I didn't tell Eric. And he didn't ask. He just said, "Here's the keys to the van." Great. The first job was in Margate. Well I'd heard of it, Margate... head south - keep your eyes open, that sort of thing".

Soon Tony was playing percussion and drums in the Delaney band.

He joined Ron Aspery and Colin Hodgkinson whilst they were in the house band at the Starlight in Redcar. The legendary Back Door was formed and Brian Jones asked them to become resident at Blakey. A self-produced album lead to a season with Chick Corea at Ronnie' Scotts. Warners signed Back Door and U.S. and European tours followed, sharing the bill with Miles Davis, Sly and the Family Stone and so on.

Tony subsequently worked with Andy Frazer from Free on a recording project and over the years contributed to both live and recorded work with, amongst a whole range of others, Alexis Korner, Dudu Pukwana and Assegai, Chris Rea, Issac Guillory, Dave MacRae's Pacific Eardrum, Georgie Fame, Paul Butterfield, and the English Jazz Quartet.

Tony was a unique melodic drummer with a rare light touch. He always maintained that the role of the drummer was to make the front line sound good and he did so in rare style.

Recently, wanting to further explore melody and harmonics, he took up playing the accordeon. This can be heard on the recent Back Door album "Askin' the Way". The final track "Hammerman", written by Tony, is a fitting farewell.

Our thoughts are with his dad Bill, and Pam, and his son Will and daughter Daisy.

Peter Bell

A memorial service dedicated to Tony will be held at St. Cuthbert's Church, Marton Rd, Middlesbrough on Sunday 5th November at 1.00pm. This will be followed by a gathering at Marton Country Club. All friends and fans are welcome.

0845 458 4699 for further details.