I've been laughing (while shedding a tear) at how many of these tributes begin with "At first, Richard and I really butted heads." While he was certainly a worthy sparring partner, that wasn't my experience at all. I met Richard when I was 16, just before one of my first ever tours. I remember immediately feeling such warmth, kindness and mischief coming from the tall Englishman who I had just been told would be my production manager - almost before I knew what a production manager was! He, myself and Peter Yozell were the wrecking crew for that first tour, and we had so many giggles between us. Richard treated me like an adult from the moment I met him - he never doubted or questioned the validity of my ideas, unless they were going to put us over budget! I looked forward to his knocks on my dressing room door where I'd throw my latest harebrained scheme at him, and he'd shoot very straight and immediately tell me what would be possible. I loved how no bullshit he was, and I genuinely LOVED working with him. And he was always up for a joke around! We had so many fun times together, lovely big group dinners on South American tours, little chats backstage at festivals, and of course he steered us through every tech rehearsal block with a calm and steady hand. We built such beautiful things together -- he brought so many of my dreams to life with such care and commitment. I'll always remember that about him. I'll close with a lovely memory I have of Richard. We were playing the Sydney Opera House forecourt in late 2017, I had just soundchecked and we were sitting in the warm December sunshine discussing my ideas for our forthcoming arena tour. I had my notebook out and was showing him my drawings of screen shapes and such. There were a few packets of Tim Tams around, and he and Tracy and I were debating the merits of each flavour. After the meeting was over we just sat in the sun, and chatted a while longer about our Christmas plans and our families. I'm absolutely gutted I won't share a chat like that with him again. Sending all my love and condolences to Tracy and the boys -- we are all thinking of you amid this unfathomable loss. Love to Richard forever and ever. Ella Yelich-O'Connor