IT WAS last orders for popular Isle of Wight band, Bobby I Can Fly, last week.

The rockers performed at Strings Bar and Venue, in Newport, on Friday, February 9 – likely their very last gig together, and a sell-out, with around 300 people in attendance.

The band, which formed in the mid-1980s, comprises lead guitarist and vocalist Duncan Jones, base guitarist Paul Armfield, percussionist and backing vocalist Dave Baker, drummer Mark Wozencroft, and trumpeter Carl Grant.

Its only other member - Platform One director David Pontin - plays the saxophone and joined the band in 2014, stepping in for Jamie Shirlow who moved to France.

Isle of Wight County Press: Bobby I Can Fly, holding the band's album. Bobby I Can Fly, holding the band's album. (Image: Bobby I Can Fly)

The band’s very first home where they practiced was on West Street in Ventnor, and they went on to play at various pubs and venues across the Island and on the mainland.

As they grew older, jobs, families and other commitments made gigging difficult, but they did reunite for a one-off event at Quay Arts in Newport in 2014.

This gig left the audience wanting more, and there followed five performances at the Isle of Wight Festival, four at Rhythmtree Festival – once on the main stage – and two at Ventnor Fringe.

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Sadly, last year Dave Baker was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), and the band have latterly been performing, both on the Island and the mainland, to raise money for the MND Association.

On Friday, tears were shed by an audience of mixed ages, and some had even made the trip from the mainland to see them perform one last time.

“It was emotional,” said band member Carl Grant.

“It was also a lot of fun, and there was a lot of love, a lot of tears, a lot of smiles and dancing, like a good old fashioned Bobby gig.

“Bobby started in mid ‘80s and we only played for around three years, but we did well over 100 gigs.

“Our last was at the London Astoria, but in 2014, I got a random email from Mark asking if I would be up for a reunion after 30 years.

“It was just going to be a one-off gig, but we’ve been going strong since.

“I’m lucky to get a second stab at something I love. We all get on, and it’s like nothing has changed.

“Dave is 58 years old now. He was diagnosed about six months ago and it’s progressing quickly.

“His lovely wife Alice is a pillar of support for him.

“You’ve just got to enjoy every day if you can.”