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Tony Edwards R.I.P.
DPAS reports that Tony Edwards, the former manager of Deep Purple, has died on November 11 at a London hospital at the age of 78.
Ritchie Blackmore has this to say in Tony’s memory:
WITHOUT TONY EDWARDS THERE WOULD BE NO DEEP PURPLE. With deepest respect — and with great sorrow — we honor Tony Edwards — who passed on November 11, 2010. Tony was the man behind the scenes for Deep Purple. He was instrumental to the existence and sustenance of the band and its music from its inception to present day. Tony’s insight and intuitiveness were unparalleled in the music business. He will be thought of often — and missed greatly.
Jon Lord writes about his memories of Tony Edwards:
A few days ago – fittingly, on Remembrance Day – I lost a friend. He was my manager from 1968 to 1976, my daughter Sara’s Godfather and the man who was instrumental in helping me to realise, in 1969, the dream which defined my musical life – that of a Concerto for Group and Orchestra.
Tony Edwards was a good man and a man also of deep-seated enthusiasms. He had a passion for, and a great interest in, Deep Purple and its various member’s careers, as well as a genuine enjoyment of the band’s music.
He was the reason that Richie and I were able to get together at the end of 1967 and the sole reason too for our being able to form the band that changed our lives. Without him and this early financial and emotional support, there would have been no Deep Purple.
He was a rock and a firm foundation on which we could build our musical house. It still stands, and it stands as a monument to him.
Thank you Tony.
Thanks to Daniel Bengtsson for the info.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
RIP Mr Tony Edwards.
Many thanks for believing in, supporting and organizing things that evolved into Deep Purple, who have created legions of fans over the whole world for many decades now.
It is a mans age of rock history that will live on forever.
Thanks for giving support in reissues, which have been monumental in keeping the glow of the legendary band alive amongst fans.
Words are not enough.
As I remember, Coletta, Edwards and Hire regarded Deep Purple as the young ones. We all eventually will be old and hopefully the last chapter of the Deep Purple carousel is not written yet, but it is important to know the financial and managed background, the seed that was sown that started it all and the spirit that was fuelling the journey onwards through time.
In that Edwards played a huge role.
Many thanks!
November 13th, 2010 at 19:12Yes indeed- thank goodness for the foresight of Edwards and Coletta et al for the ultimate formation of the band we all know and love in all its incarnations as Deep Purple….hard rock pioneers and latter day elder statesmen, still rockin’ after all these years. RIP Mr Edwards.
November 14th, 2010 at 00:45R.I.P. Knowing people who’ve met Tony over the years they say he was a class act.
November 14th, 2010 at 08:57R.I.P. Tony Edwards. A visionary who saw the endless possibilities of the union of Jon & Ritchie.It may take more than a few moments to imagine a World without a Deep Purple….No Hush,No Gillan,No Concerto,No “In Rock” No SOTW,No Burn,Rainbow,Dio,Whitesnake Sabbath/Heaven & Hell,No VOR,the # of all the spin-offs & Influences is staggering, and so how could they all be listed here.The Family Tree of OAK/REDWOOD sized proportions would be a mere twig. FATE sometimes does her best to make our lives all the more enriching.A great man owed a debt that can never be repaid. Regards,Drdp
November 14th, 2010 at 17:34this is from glenn hughes’ tweeter:
“So very sad that my dear friend and Manager of Deep Purple, Tony Edwards has passed away, we have lost one of the Good Guys…GH”
November 14th, 2010 at 20:06Believe it or not….I just saw a TV show…on the Food Network Channel, ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dive’s’, whereby the famed ‘Tony Edwards’ was a shareholder and cook in a Country Style Diner, serving up some fine Country Style Cookin’. Seems he left the Music Industry to open a restaurant and serve some good chow instead of good muz……’Food for Thought’ huh????
http://www.foodnetwork.com/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/index.html
RIP Tony, the Purple Legacy is to you as is the Alice Cooper legacy will be owed to ‘Rob Ezrin’. Though you are the Main Man behind the original success scenes….Purple will always be Purple with or without you…..
Cheers
November 15th, 2010 at 01:32RIP Tony Edwards…Without your vision and belief we may never have been able to enjoy the greatest rock band of all time.
November 15th, 2010 at 11:47@6
Yes, and without RB and JL, and without any of it’s members, Purple will always be Purple… What do you mean by this? RB and JL that have created most of DP legacy (at least the one that will be remembered) saying there wouldn’t be DP without Tony (RIP), and then “Tracy” is coming and saying Purple will be Purple with or without… Gillan told you something?
November 15th, 2010 at 16:33Jon/Ritchie: Good to hear from both of you, albeit in a sad forum here. Still inspired by your music in DP to this very day, and glad that Mr. Edwards was a key impetus to that legacy.
November 16th, 2010 at 06:03Jon, looking forward to hearing your work on the ‘Who Cares?’ recording with Ian Gillan, Tony Iommi & Co.
Given that people are aging and dying in the rock world, isn’t high past time to bury the hatchets, once and for all? And not in each other’s skulls?
Hey Tracy
Did you shoot yourself instead of some animal?
November 17th, 2010 at 00:46Wtf are you talking about?!
#8….
I have not ill feelings nor disrespect toward Edwards. On the contrary. You misread my writing. I gave him his credit due. I just don’t concern myself too much with the intricacies and extra personnel in the bands I listen to. Yes I do know and give credit to their contribution at some point, but it’s the Band, the Musicians I concern myself with. When I listen to a Purple Album, I focus on the Music. Period. That’s what I am interested in. I don’t get all up in arms about what producer or manager or whatever was involved at any particular time. I like Music for the Music and appreciate the Musician whom expresses it. That talent exists with or without a Tony Edwards was my only point. No disrespect to Mr. Edwards…..
Cheers
November 17th, 2010 at 02:46All that being said…..did anyone else see Tony Edwards appear on the Cooking Show I made reference too??? Did any of you out there whom are so into Mr. Edwards even know he turned Chef after leaving the Music Biz???? Guess not…
Cheers
November 17th, 2010 at 18:36It was with sadness that l was unable to attend yesterdays service for Tony. Thru Tony, John & Craigie l had the opportuntity to work with these great musicians…..but also work & socialise with Tony. And on all occasions he was a true gentleman……unless l had screwed up plugging wise when he did tell me what he thought. BUT l still luved him. He will be missed
Cheers
November 19th, 2010 at 12:22R.I.P Tony Edwards. Thanks for giving us Deep Purple
November 20th, 2010 at 04:09Was it Edwards or Coletta who threatened to throw Gillan back in the gutter when he asked for a raise?
November 20th, 2010 at 11:57One by one, the greatest rock manager, who made this wonderful music possible, are going away. Tks Mr.Edwards for creating Deep Purple, forever in the rock history.
November 21st, 2010 at 08:23WTF is Tracy going on about? Tony Edwards cooking in a diner? Don’t make me laugh. The man never left the music business. Get your facts right.
November 24th, 2010 at 16:05DP CHIC….
Sorry to crap on your dinner plate, but the Facts are the Facts.
I saw it. Simple as that. And if you don’t mind my asking, what music business has he been in Lately? Please, enlighten me…..
Cheers
December 1st, 2010 at 02:27Sorry Tracy, but you really have got the wrong man, unless there was something he wasn’t telling anyone who knew him. Can you do a deep link to the actual cooking footage or even a mention of him on that site? If such a thing actually exists it is something I have to see.
December 6th, 2010 at 16:00Oh, and if you want to see what he really got up to, google his obits – The Independent, Daily Express and The Times all have them – no mention of cooking.
December 6th, 2010 at 16:02Maybe DP CHIC, but I saw the episode, and this old gentleman named Tony Edwards was introduced as a prior Music Mogul who went on to become a chef in a Country Style Diner. Unfortunately, the website doesn’t break down the episodes and give credit. I’ve seen pics of Tony Edwards and the man on this TV show, sure resembled him. I’ll continue to search for more info…..
Cheers
December 18th, 2010 at 16:56