I don't recall exactly how it happened, maybe in the context of our West London Strangelove anti-nuclear group, or Ladbroke Grove connections, anyway, Tony invited us to come along to some of his first gigs at the Comedy Store. We were on the notorious guest list or paid half price.

Little of what followed later seems as vibrant, as daring and experimental as these early gigs he or Alexis compèred with an incredible range of male and female stand-up comedians (and theatre artists who usually wanted to test a new approach). In terms of their emotional power, I can only think of the latest Ken Loach movie. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a record of the best gigs.

I also greatly enjoyed his live stand-up teasing Scottish police during our demonstration at Torness in Scotland (actually, the locals didn't want a nuclear plant up there, and neither did the police). I guess Tony's advantage of height and his natural sharp and occasionally abrasive wit really lent themselves to conflict situations. But there was also a much softer side to him, he could be very caring, and when he enquired about one's state of mind and soul, you knew you could never put him off with an easy explanation. He was always curious about greater connections, for example when contributing to the "International Times" magazine or the later "International Correspondence Society" which united friends from Japan to Ireland, the States and Berlin.