Hi, Chris,I’m coming to see you at V on Sunday and again on 16th Dec. Im asking a big favour, Tony Armstrong who grew up with some of you, died of cancer recently, he was a big fan and had one step beyond played as he went through the curtain! As a tribute to Tony, I’m asking if you would dedicate the song to him from Jeanie his wife, Sara and I, during your set on Sunday at Highlands Park. It would mean so much and I will donate £10 to McMillan nurses for every mention of his name cheers Chris. Have a great gig… See you on sunday! Tony

Dear Tony
I mentioned Tony’s name just before One Step Beyond, I hope you all heard it. This has made me really sad. I went to nursery school with Tony aged about 5 or six then junior school. We went to different secondary schools but were still mates through the skinhead era. during that time he actually told me about the Cats version of “Swan Lake”, which Madness eventually recorded. In about 1971, I started hanging around with Thommo and Barso who were younger than Tony and I, so Tony and I sort of parted ways. The last I heard from him, he was doing a scuba diving course. What makes me really sad I is that I lost touch with him and he was a fan. I wish he had made contact over all the years, I would have always put him on the guest list. Please send my condolences to his family and get in touch for the UK tour, I will sort you out if we are playing near you.
yours Chris