Martin Ash

Martin Ash (8 February 1942 – 27 September 2018) was a British performer, percussionist, artist and art lecturer better known to many by his stage name Sam Spoons, the percussionist of Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band.

Early life and education He was born on 8 February 1942 in Bridgwater but moved to Barnstaple when he was 12. He was the first student to gain an A-Level in art at Barnstaple Grammar School, before moving to Plymouth to study illustration (NDD Honours). From 1963 to 1966 he studied industrial design at the Royal College of Art.

Career Musician He joined The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band in early 1964, leaving in December 1967, and rejoining in 2006.

Credited as Sam Spoons, Ash appeared on all the early Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band singles and debut album Gorilla (1967).

In 2006, Ash and other surviving members of The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band reunited - along with Stephen Fry, Ade Edmondson and Phill Jupitus - for a reunion tour.

Artist and lecturer He worked as a senior art lecturer at Chelsea School of Art from 1972 until retirement.

Death Ash died on 27 September 2018, aged 76, from cancer. His funeral was held at North Devon Crematorium in Barnstaple.