Wishbone Ash co-founding member, vocalist and bass player has paid tribute to Markus Sollner, his friend and agent, on the anniversary of his passing, with the release of a new video featuring the classic Ash track ‘Everybody Needs A Friend’, that’s also available as a single.
The song is a brand-new rendition recorded as a homage by Turner and his band, of the song that first appeared on Wishbone 4. The accompanying video was shot diligently from a distance, showing how music can overcome the barriers of space as well as those of time.
Within the video Martin Turner and his band mates Danny Willson, Tim Brown and Misha Nikolic raise a glass to Sollner, whose German-based KMS Konzert Management represented other notable bands such as Asia.
A simple but heartfelt testimony to the great friendships born on the road, nourished by great laughter and little sleep, long drives, and longer stories.
Sollner died on 17th April 2020, and a percentage from each purchase of the single version over the next 6 months will be donated to a charity chosen by his family, called MJC Trier, a cultural & youth centre, in his memory, so that the “gentle and joyful Markus can carry on doing good, just from the Next Room”.
You can purchase the ‘Everybody Needs A Friend’, single, and contribute to the charity by clicking here.
Speaking on behalf of the Sollner family, his sister Ingrid commented: “Music was his first love… Markus was a family guy, reliable, funny, a loving rascal. His job was his passion, he enjoyed all of the arts, also cooking. A good cook, a loveable brother, a faithful friend.”
Martin Turner declared that Sollner was “Taken from us all too young but I send him my love through the ether. Bless you, Markus – You were a good man whilst you were here.”
Band drummer Tim Brown remembered him thus: “Markus was a true gent; I will miss the laughter and fun we enjoyed over the last seven years. Markus really became a member of our family and his loss was like losing a brother. RIP, big man you will always be missed.”
“Markus Sollner, our great friend, promoter, chaperone, drinking buddy, tour guide, translator, and occasional chef, always looked after us so well on the road in Europe, ensuring everything went smoothly,” remembered guitarist Danny Willson, “But above all he had a great sense of humour and made sure we had plenty of fun and laughter along the way! Danke, Markus, you will always be missed and never forgotten.”
“One word comes to my mind when thinking about Markus,” said fellow guitarist Misha Nikolic, “Gentle Giant! Markus was a true gentleman and a force to reckon with. Always reliable, ready to help, highly organised but above all gentle with great sense of humour. He made me laugh when he called his hotel room the office.
He enjoyed touring as much as we did and always made sure we were not short on food and drink,” Nikolic continued. “I enjoyed our little coffee breaks along the route, stories, and his company. He treated us like family. Saying goodbye at the end of the tour made me feel like leaving a family member behind. I will miss him greatly.”
“Markus was a big plump pussy cat I always thought, but then one day I witnessed him red in the face, banging his fist on the hotel reception desk to complain about something or other,” remembered Martin Turner, good naturedly. “Yeah, go, Markus I thought, but seriously he was a lovely man, kind and considerate and not afraid to let me know when I was driving like an annoying prick which could happen occasionally.”
A music industry personality well thought of obviously, a recalled fondly in song via the video for ‘Everybody Needs A Friend’ that you can watch right here at RAMzine.
Marcus Sollner photo by Misha Nikolic.
