-“I remember at the age of 12 listening to the radio one afternoon to nothing in particular then my ears pricked up to the sound of an acoustic guitar playing an a chord over and over. Then this voice saying ‘now this here’s the story of the rock island line’. It was Lonnie Donegan. My voice hadn’t broken at the time and by the end of the song I was singing along at the top of my voice, excited, this was a brand new world.” (Joe Cocker)

-“Lonnie Donegan was a major influence. He was the inspiration to get me started in the music and I was privileged enough to have worked with him. He will be sadly missed.” (Van Morrison)

-“The first song I ever learned was ‘Bring a little water Sylvie.’ I still play it on stage today; - & this say’s it all for me” (Chas Hodges)

-“I loved Lonnie Donegan’s music - he was a musical icon and I’m honoured to be part of this tribute at the Royal Albert Hall.” (Rolf Harris)

-“When Lonnie walked in to an audition studio in 1961, asked what I was doing there, I said; - ‘We’re doing an audition for TV,’
He said; - ‘you want TV?
I said; - 'Yes'
He said; - 'You’re on my show!’
He said; - ‘Have you got a recording contract?’
I said; - 'No'
He said; - ‘Do you want one?’
I said; - ‘yes’
He said; - ‘You’ve got one!’
And that started an association with Lonnie and Allan Freeman and clocked up 14 hit records, 2 no1’s and 2, Million sellers.” (Kenny Ball)

-“It all came from Lonnie & before Lonnie came along you hardly ever saw a guitar, he changed everything, he was my biggest ever influence, & ‘Rock Island Line’ is still my favourite record.” (Dave Peacock)

-“In the autumn of 1955, I was doing my national service stint in RAF Oldenburg, West Germany, when Lonnie Donegan came into my life.
I heard Skiffle on record for the first time by the Chris Barber band, featuring Lonnie, and like thousands of other young guys, I was immediately hooked on his energy and rhythm. I went down town in Oldenburg and bought a Spanish acoustic guitar then, ‘built myself’ a bass out of a tea chest, a broom handle, and string, and formed a Skiffle band on the camp.
Lonnie was responsible for inspiring just about every boy in England to learn to play music - which in turn was responsible for most of the major British bands of the 60’s.
His influence on the British music scene is unique.” (Bill Wyman)

-“I was fortunate enough to spend many wonderful times with Lonnie on tour I’d stand in the wings night after night watching the great man really winning the audience. In my mind he was one of the worlds great entertainers, I feel very privileged to be able to call Lonnie a friend.” (Des O’Conner)

"No matter what the trials and tribulations there were from traveling, bad hotels and other touring hassels. When we all walked out on stage at show time, everything else dissapeared and thats when the magic started!" (Pete Oakman, on behalf of Lon's group.)