When Jet arrived we could see he was very ill, but at the time everyone - his doctors included - all thought his condition was fully treatable - a "fact" which was even announced from the stage that evening. Jet was such a trooper. He played well, even though he was struggling. He was visibly tired. It was a privilege to be able to share the stage with him for what was to be the last time, even though we did not know it at the time. We found ourselves being part of Shadows history when Jet invited Licorice Locking to play a duet with him. The Shadows' first and second bass players had never before performed on the same stage at the same time, and had certainly never duetted together. It was to be the last tune Jet would ever perform. Jet being Jet, though, he decided to sit down for it, after announcing its title: Here I Stand.
What with rushing to pack up and exit the theatre and with everyone, including Jet, try to greet some of the audience after the show, I never said goodbye to him that night - a regret I shall always carry with me.
I had the opportunity, alongside my parents and a couple of the Shadowers, to attend Jet's funeral. It was a very sad day but also one laced with humour and pride, and it was attended by so many friends, which is exactly how Jet would have wanted it.
Jet had spoken of a new show which he wanted to develop with us. We had discussed the sort of material which would be included and we were all so fired up for the new project. Whenever Jet spoke about it his eyes lit up. He was excited and we were excited. That it never came to fruition will always be the biggest missed opportunity of my career. The biggest joy of my career, though, is to have been able to get to know one of my heroes and to get on with him so well. That I shared a stage with him is a thrill I had never dreamt of.
