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Tony Ashley

voc,
Singer of R&B/Soul
A.k.a. Antwaine "Tony" Ashcraft

Tony Ashley was a soul singer and songwriter from Kansas City. Tony taught himself how to play the piano and write music and he attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. Working as a clothier in Kansas City, he was always impeccably dressed and his good looks and smooth vocals made him a very popular singer in the Kansas City, New Mexico, and Denver, CO areas. He first recorded for Ellis Taylor (2) and his Forte Records (2) in 1967. His first single "All Along I’ve Loved You" incorrectly credits him as "Tony Ashly" and is accompanied by a quite upfront female trio the Delicates. Taylor was able to get Decca interested in releasing it – and like stablemates The Rayons, Ashley transferred to the major label for subsequent 45s. Again like The Rayons, these tracks were cut at Hi Studios and his track "Just a Taste" features them on backing vocals. He co-wrote the song "Live and Let Live" for white frat-rockers The Fantasticks that was released on Forte Records (2) in 1968. While at work at the President Hat Shop on December 15, 1969, he was mysteriously paged to the front of the store, where he was shot to death at age 29.

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