John Purser

Composer, musicologist, poet, playwright and broadcaster. A close friend of Alasdair’s.

What does Alasdair Gray mean to you?

Explain yourself?

Alasdair never dissembled. He played verbal and mental games, but he never dissembled.

When he had anything to spare, and frequently when he really didn't, he shared it. That includes ideas - of which of course he had a multitude to spare.

He was extremely well read, understood what he had read and could see beyond it. The great writing of others was never the end of a journey for Alasdair. It was a start for a new one. He also had a vital piece of knowledge which was this: he knew his limitations.