Tributes have been paid to a familiar face from Tenby and Saundersfoot’s vibrant music scene from down the years.

The death occurred peacefully at home in Pleasant Valley, Stepaside on April 1 of Graham Hughes, at the age 79.

Those paying tribute and remembering Graham’s musicianship was ‘rocking’ Raymond Dony, who remarked: “His funeral showed the respect he engendered, with many of his fellow musicians from the sixties through to the 2000s.

“We of a certain age will always wax lyrical about the heady days of the sixties and in particular the development of pop music in Tenby and Saundersfoot.

“Back in the mid sixties two groups stood out as well rehearsed and ready to take on the challenge of many venues wanting to sample this new spectacle of pop music. We mean of course The Dragons and The Frantic Five.

“The Dragons came about with Graham Hughes, Gwyn Cole and David Lloyd.

“On reflection, Graham was the Dragons. The group disbanded in the late sixties with Graham and David having work commitments. 

“Scroll forward to the Frantic Five and Friends Reunion, raising many thousands of pounds for charities, Graham enthusiastically gave his time and experience to the Frantics.

“As time marches on we children of the sixties are marching on to the eventual, but with Graham we have many happy memories of the Dragons in a Bedford van, ready for the scrap heap, motoring to Cardiff pre M4 days doing forty miles per hour down hill!

“Thank you, Graham you touched so many lives,” added Ray.       

Richard Fanus said: “Graham was a fine musician and singer and was well known on the Pembrokeshire circuit and beyond. Rest in peace old pal.”

Following Graham’s funeral on April 23, at St. Issell’s Church, Saundersfoot - a celebration of his life took place at Kilgetty’s RAOB Club.