Rocker Ashley has golden reunion

7:00am Friday 29th December 2006

GREAT Missenden rocker Ashley Holt had an early Christmas present last week when he was reunited with a long-lost gold album.

The lead singer, who featured on many of Rick Wakeman's albums, was presented with the gold disc for the Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Rick Wakeman's first solo album.

The disc had been donated to Alan Jones, owner of The White Lion pub in High Street, many years ago after the two men met through the Buckinghamshire music scene.

Mr Jones worked in the music industry for EMI and in marketing for K-Tel Records.

The pair lost contact after Mr Holt embarked on a world tour with the Yes keyboard player, and it was only last week that he was reunited with his missing gold disc at the pub.

He said: "I'm thrilled to have the disc back.

"It means a lot to me and my family. Alan has really looked after it well."

His music career has seen him sell more than £50million albums with Rick Wakeman, and embark on two sell-out world tours.

He still performs locally with his band The Alligators, and is also in talks with ex-members of 1970s rock bands Bad Company and Deep Purple to form a new group.