I WAS so sad to receive a text on Monday night from my son informing me of Gerry Hunt’s battle with cancer coming to a sad end.

Having booked Gerry and his sons, Darren and Jamie, and their group Shred at various venues in and around Swindon over the years, I had built up a good friendship with all three.

I have fond memories of Gerry playing drums, then moving into the bar area and playing people’s drink glasses, then the optics behind the bar, people’s heads and anything that was fixed down. Then it was back on the drums in the exact rhythm of the song so expertly. It was was the highlight of the evening.

He was a true musician and will be sadly missed on the circuit. Deepest sympathy to the boys and his wife Margaret and rest of the family.

Tony Harrington, Euclid Street, Swindon