The official Ashley Bruce biography
Just before Christmas 1998 the life of singer/songwriter Ashley Bruce changed forever.
Ashley was struck down with a brain haemorrhage, a phenomenon that kills one in three people affected immediately. In the following six months, he was in and out of hospital and suffered further complications when he collapsed with a haematoma which caused his brain to fold in on its self.
His life hung in the balance and doctors warned of a 5% chance of survival. But after neurosurgeons performed three life saving operations, lasting over 24 hours, he has lived to tell the tale and launch a promising music career.
Reflecting on his experience, Ashley said: "I was full of regret about the things I hadn't done, but this has changed me immensely." His determination has amazed both his family and the doctors. Since the trauma, Ashley clearly remembers his thoughts at the time and how music gave him the will to live and somehow kept him in tune with the outside world. "I came out of the operation and I could hear notes in my head.... Now I'm writing songs all day."
After leaving hospital, Ashley had to face the uphill struggle of a torturous three month rehabilitation programme designed specifically to re-teach him how to walk, read, eat, write and do literally all of the things that we take for granted. He was life's child all over again.
By the summer of 1999, Ashley was at home and on the road to recovery, writing his music with an even greater determination and depth of musical ability that surprised even him. Ashley pledges to give encouragement and hope to others and their families who have undergone similar problems by sharing his remarkable story of recovery against all odds. To this end Ashley has helped raise funds for Headway International, a charity that supports individuals that who are born with, or sustain brain or head injuries. He also helps writer Carla Lane with her animal welfare campaign.
Meeting this charismatic musician today, it is difficult to believe he has under gone such trauma and such a long road to recovery. He admits that the experience has taught him to grab every day with both hands and says: "I'm still getting a buzz from waking up each day and finding I'm alive, the whole world experience was a huge wake-up call that led me back into my music and I am grateful for that.
Ashley's positive attitude to life is reflected in his music, in the extraordinary words and his positive and enthusiastic performance. Letting nothing stand in his way, Ashley has had to adapt to playing his guitar differently due to loss of feeling in his left hand. But this does not stop him from playing and singing with great passion and emotion, moving the audience with his words and music and unique style. Numerous people have put him in the category of Billy Joel, David Gray, Robbie Williams and Ronan Keating.
Ashley's performances can be summed up into words of those who have witnessed them. Mike Read, former Radio 1 DJ, who was present at one of Ashley's gigs had no hesitation in saying "Ashley Bruce is going to be a very big star. He is an inspiration to many people, music gave him the will to live and he's also incredibly commercial."
Happily, Ashley has now been given the complete all clear from his doctor, and indeed is probably a great deal fitter than many other people his own age, not including his trusted friend Milo.
