Dave Ashton

Born in Greenock, Scotland in 1949, came to Victoria in 1957. Schools – Sir James Douglas, Central Junior High, Vic High (’67), UVIC, U of S, Saskatoon. Took accordion lessons at Bernie Porter’s, played trombone in junior high band. Sang at a few hootenannys at the Secret Coffee House in the early ‘60s. Played guitar in a short-lived band called the Quagmires with Danny Lewis and his late brother Dave Lewis, and, if memory serves, Britt Hagarty, whom I had known since grade 3. Britt later said I should try out for the Blues X Five, who needed a guitar player. I remember auditioning for the part, fingerpicking and singing Dylan’s Boots of Spanish Leather and Norm MacPherson remarking that I sounded like Pete Seeger. Not very bluesy, but I soon learned what a 12 bar pattern was and how to play the Memphis beat (and the drums when Britt got up to sing Li’l Red Rooster) and the electric 12 string in some Byrds numbers. I have very fond memories of those times and Norman, John, Britt and Ed. After the Blues X 5, I didn’t perform for a long time. I learned to play some harpsichord and piano and took a few jazz lessons from George Essihos and composed a few pieces ... more...