Tony Husband 1950 – 2023
We talked, worked together, but never actually met.
Firstly we apologise for not keeping up our regular weekly blog. We have been touring the UK for nearly a month which was more intense than we ever imagined and didn’t have a minute to put digital pen to paper. We did however, keep a diary which we will be sharing over the coming weeks.
Whilst driving though Spain on the way home to Portugal, we heard the dreadful news that Tony Husband had died via a post on social media from his son Paul - our go-to photographer.
Over the past couple of years we had many conversations with Tony about working together on Suzy’s children’s book project and also introduced him to our dear friend Roger Bucknall of Fylde Guitars to create some illustrations for the company’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
It was only a couple of weeks ago we were in contact hoping to meet up at our homecoming concert at The Met in Bury but sadly, as Tony called it ‘bloody Sods Law’ he had promised to visit his brother that weekend who had found out he needed a heart operation. Next time, we agreed…
We loved the photograph that Paul had taken of his father with Seve, his trusty Labrador, and asked them both if they would be happy for us to use it as the artwork for the single release of the title track from our album Language of Curiosity in 2022. They both loved the idea and the track.
Tony died on 18 October 2023 at the age of 73 after suffering a heart attack on Westminster Bridge, London. He was on his way to a Private Eye party being held on a a barge and drew this cartoon en route to the event as his train had been delayed and thought he was going to be late.
Tony was a much-loved face on the Manchester scene – a music fan whose love of bands like Sea Power soundtracked his life. He was however principally known as one of the finest British cartoonists and a master of black humour.
He was celebrated for his work in Private Eye magazine, with his cartoons appearing in every edition from 1984 until his death in 2023. His work has appeared in The Times, the Daily Mail and the Sunday Express as well as magazines such as Playboy and The Spectator.
He co-founded and co-edited Oink! comic, co-wrote the Round the Bend children's television series and was also involved with children's TV show Hangar 17.
Tony toured the UK with poet Ian McMillan with a poetry and cartoon show called "A Cartoon History of Here" and in 2000 he won two awards at the Cartoonist of the Year awards, for best strip and best gag. In 2005, he won the Pont Award at the Cartoon Art Trust Awards for "depicting the British way of life".
Tony Husband was also known for his gentle spirit, listening ear and kindness to everyone he met. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.