In tribute to the Riki Lash. The man, the legend.

A dear friend, a great colleague, a loyal servant to this newspaper and a great character. These are some of the words which spring to mind when I think of  Riki Lash, who died yesterday after a short illness.  He was a legend on this island and enjoyed celebrity status. When I returned from work on my first day at the Bulletin back in 1987 the first thing that my parents asked me was;“have you met Riki Lash...” During the 1960s Riki had run one of the most successful bars on the island, My Own Place, in Es Jonquet in Palma. But it wasn´t just a bar. It was a radio station, also. Riki would broadcast live from MOP, interviewing guests from behind the bar. His show soon gained cult status on the island. Not only for his Californian style but also for his music. He was playing the latest hits from Britain and the U.S. long before they arrived in Franco-run Spain. Guests at his bar included the legendary George Best, the Manchester United and Northern Ireland footballer and Freddie Laker, the airline tycoon.