Anthony Watts
Anthony Watts
1950 - 2024
Donations
Donations will be gifted to the following charities:
- Young Classical Artists Trust
Service Details
Wednesday, January 8th 2025 - 14:00
FUNERAL LOCATION
Poole Crematorium, Gravel Hill, Poole, Dorset, BH17 9BQ
BRANCH
Albert Marsh Funeral DirectorsWareham
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Anthony’s love of classical music and opera shaped his career, and attendance at concerts and the theatre were always central to his life. His love for his close family and his fondness for his wider family and friends was always apparent. He will be missed by all those close to him.
Anthony was a dear friend of mine. We worked together on many music projects over a period of stretching 27 years. We would often meet up for theatre plays, Fulham matches and curry nights. He was a brilliant music producer who taught me a lot about the music business. I will miss Anthony’s company and forever treasure the time we had together. May he rest in peace.
I remember 14 Grasmere Avenue as a house filled with love and music.
He had a very eclectic taste in music from opera to classical to pop.
In 1966 we went to The Albert Hall to watch a much anticipated concert given by Bob Dylan.
The first halve was pure Dylan but in the second halve he bought his electric backing group which was not appreciated. They were hackled after every song and guess who was heckling the loudest.
Although a London lad at heart he loved his holidays in Dorset where all his cousins lived and when he came back to stay in Dorset as an adult a walk on Badbury Rings and a trip to the beach were always on the menu.
Anthony was such a unique and talented person, with a wonderful smile which lit up his face. Even as an eleven year old he was very knowledgeable about all kinds of music. I was often invited to Grasmere Avenue in the summer holidays and we would frequently go to the Proms, my first introduction to live classical music.
And Anthony was always my ‘go to’ for music identification; if I had a tune in my head and sang it to him on the phone he’d easily identify it, then tell me where I could hear it being performed in London in the next few weeks!
More recently, especially after his father Leslie’s death, Anthony would come to Poole to visit his parents’ grave. We would usually go to a concert at the Lighthouse, in fact I think his visits were timed to take in a concert one of his favourite conductors, Kirill Karabits, conducting.
I’d hoped, as we all did, that he would recover from his last illness, and Patsy and I had discussed Anthony coming to live in Poole, close to the park and the Lighthouse. We thought he might reject this out of hand. The last time I saw him I asked how he’d feel about it. He sat right up in bed and said, with that wonderful smile, ‘How lovely. Thank you. How very kind of you.’
Rest in peace, Anthony.
Tony you were such a sweet man. I have fond memories of our years at Decca. You were always such a good friend with kind and wise words. Rest peacefully dear friend.
Tony, When I arrived at No. 9 Albert Embankment, age 17, you were one of the first people I made friends with, your smile was infectious and you welcomed me with open arms. Thank you Tony for being so lovely. Sleep peacefully No.1 Fulham supporter and curry connoisseur.
Neighbours for 25 years, and more latterly friends. Although our time as friends was brief, it has left a lasting mark on my heart. Your wit, warmth, and passion for music, sport, politics and the arts were infectious. I feel so grateful to have gotten to know you, even if only for a short time.
I’ll always remember our chats on the doorstep, your visits to our house watching cricket, listening to opera, discussing politics and the memories you shared of your family and childhood days in Bournemouth, theatre/cinema trips with the ‘Old Gits’ past, exploits at ‘Craven Cottage’, that you stanchly took the Guardian newspaper, our mutual respect for James O’Brien, and how LBC kept your company at nights even if it meant you argued to yourself about the views of many of the presenters!
I’ll miss you. But I want you to know that your friendship meant a lot to me. You reminded me of the importance of embracing life’s little joys and how showing kindness in even the smallest ways matters.
I take comfort in the memories we shared and the new friendship your last days bought into our lives – because of you, we have a ‘Grasmere Avenue WhatsApp Group’, set up the night you went into hospital by our cul-de-sac to check on each other, keep in touch and post updates on you – you made this happen, bringing care and mutual support into our lives. Anthony, you will live on in our hearts and through the stories we tell.
To Anthony’s family, friends and loved ones, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. It has been a pleasure getting to know you. To Anthony, thank you for sharing a piece of your life with me. I’ll carry those memories and your spirit in my heart forever. Rest peacefully, my friend.
With love and gratitude,
Marilyn and Tony Holness, (No 10)
Tony was one of the many friends that I made on Twitter through a shared a love of classical music. We all got to know each other by arranging to meet in the intervals at various venues including English National Opera & the Royal Opera House. Tony & I shared a deep love for the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams & I met Tony for the first time at a performance of The Pilgrim’s Progress at English National Opera, where he showed me a programme from its first ever performance, After that, several of us would often meet for pre-concert meals, interval drinks & on trips elsewhere, including Wexford, over the subsequent years. Tony’s knowledge of classical music, both historically & current, was extensive & he generously shared so much of his expertise through his active presence on social media, often in tandem with Hugh Canning, the former music critic of the Sunday Times & another late friend John Johnston, another classical music enthusiast. Another good musical friend gone too soon.