Obituary: Drummer Donald Ashley was part of city's rock and roll history

Music makers and lovers are mourning the death of Donald Ashley, a legendary drummer, composer and producer in the city for decades. He died at the age of 58, survived by his son Ian.

The Hong Kong-born musician was known for his active role during the rise of Canto-pop stars in the 1980s. Singers Paula Tsui and Shirley Kwan, for example, enlisted him as a drummer.

He was also a mentor to a young generation of local band leaders, including Paul Wong of Beyond and Joey Tang of Taichi, to name a few.

Born of an American father and Malaysian mother, Ashley became fixated by drums after receiving a conga on his fifth birthday. Despite family opposition, he became a self-taught drummer and formed his first band, Donald and the Ducks.

Being a huge fan of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, the Eurasian adopted Tang Long as his Chinese name, the name of Lee's character in the 1970s film, Way of the Dragon.

In the mid-1970s, Ashley joined the Ramband, lining up with guitarist Peter Ng in their hard rock repertoire to great acclaim. Their concert in April 1980 drew rave reviews. But it was with Chyna, a new band Ashley joined in the 1980s, that he made history for himself and for Hong Kong.