I WAS saddened to hear about the passing away of Peter Mason, a Salisbury based musician and singer-songwriter with a long and illustrious career.

Peter who was originally from Liverpool, came to Salisbury in the 1960’s and many people still remember the terrific evenings at the Duck Inn, Laverstock where the band ‘Amey Gair Mason’ packed in the punters back in the 1970s.

He also had a strong musical association with the likes of Dave Dee and later he famously joined The Bee Gees appearing on at least one of their hit singles.

Peter moved on to produce his own country-rock flavoured music both as a solo artist and with the band ‘Mason’.

As a songwriter he wrote songs for a number of UK and international album and single releases - more than 60 in all – for artists such as PJ Proby, Ellen Foley (ex-Meatloaf), Rachel Sweet, Iona and Andy and The Haleys. Among these, he had a number of Top Ten hits in Europe.

It was satisfying that Peter lived to see his superb Mason album ‘Starting as we mean to go on’ finally released after four decades and to also enjoy the critical acclaim given to it by the music press.

As I mentioned, Peter Mason had a strong association with Salisbury’s most successful group Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich and I would like to thank Gerry Chivers who reminded me recently that this week marks the 50th anniversary of the band’s number one UK hit single ‘The Legend of Xanadu’.

Guitarist Tich said “We had already achieved a number of top 20 hits which meant we were in demand.

“To find your record has reached the top ten is absolutely brilliant but to get to number one well, we were over the moon!”