While his time in the spotlight was short, Tony Sheridan left a huge impression on those people with which he worked and who admired him.
The Beatles with Tony Sheridan
First and foremost are the Beatles with which he worked on a few tracks in the early 60’s, Paul McCartney and Pete Best. McCartney wrote on his webpage “Tony was a good guy who we knew and worked with from the early days in Hamburg. We regularly watched his late night performances and admired his style. He will be missed.”
Best wrote on Twitter “My friend Tony Sherdian passed away this morning. Great guy and great memories I will miss you Tony. RIP.”
He went into greater detail on his Facebook page, saying:
“It is with the greatest of regrets I heard that my friend and a man I spent many hours with on stage, recorded with and regarded as a very special musician passed away this morning. I will miss him, but he will always live in my memories. Rest in peace Mr Tony Sheridan (The Teacher), Pete”
Meanwhile, Ringo Starr, who played separately with Sheridan before joining the Beatles, tweeted “Just say goodbye to Tony Sheridan just he died I had a great month 19 6061 playing with him was great bye R***”
Ted Taylor, head of Mersey Beat group Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes, was very close with Sheridan and kept the fans informed on Tony’s deteriorating condition.
On Tuesday, February 5, he posted:
I visited Tony this morning, and as promised, sat and read him some of your kind greetings, and get well messages, as promised. Tony is, as you may well imagine, still very weak, but was delighted that so many people care, and sends his thanks to you all. He asked me to give him a push, I said, “A push ? where to”, “Outside for a smoke” replied Tony, with a smile on his face, so he hasn’t lost his dry sense of humor. God Bless him, and don’t give up on him. He is Family. KST. on behalf of Tony, and his Family.
On Wednesday, February 13, he reported:
This morning I visited Tony, Although he is still very weak, I was greeted with a smile, and an outstretched hand.
He read some of the comments that you have been sending, which I had printed out for him, and read also, a few of the cards that people had sent to me, for Tony. We listened to a track from a CD, which had a dedicated track on it for Tony, This was a recording made by John Frankland, my old rhythm guitarist, from The Dominoes. Tony sends his thanks for your support, and kind messages. All in all, a pleasant visit to an old Friend. Further reports will follow. Don’t give up on Tony.
On Sunday, he wrote about his friend’s passing:
Tony could always see a bright light,
at the end of a dark road,
now he has reached this bright light,
and may he rest in eternal peace.
The world will never forget his talent,
and inspiration, that he gave to us all.
R.I.P. Tony SheridanTony was the Star in “Star-Club”,
His name will live for ever.
Kingsize Taylor
Taylor has also been authorized by the family as the only source for information about Sheridan’s funeral with the announcement forthcoming on his official Facebook page.
