Tony Thorpe obit

Muscian and celebrated guitarist Tony Thorpe has died

 

He was not on the list.

A celebrated guitarist and musician who found fame as a member of The Rubettes in the seventies has died.

Tony Thorpe was a regular on Top Of The Pops and the band had nine Top 40 singles including a number one, Sugar Baby Love.

After four years touring the world, guitarist Tony called it a day and left behind the music business to settle in Burnley and later retired to Poulton-le-Fylde.

He first became a journalist and then a tutor on the access to music course at Blackburn College.

Tony was 80 and was due to turn 81 this month.

An official announcement read: “It is with great sadness that we officially announce the passing of Anthony John Thorpe. He was a father to Clay, a husband to Shirle, a friend to many, and a mentor to countless musicians young and old.

“His recently failing health did little to diminish his fierce intellect and sharp sense of humour. He will leave an unfillable hole in the lives of all who knew him, or his music.

“Our love and thoughts go to his son Clayton.”

His autobiography released in Summer 2014. 'A Bride's Nightie' chronicled the tales from the road with the Rubettes, Firm and his session days.

An official biography reads: “Tony began playing the guitar and drums aged just eleven and turned pro at 16 after getting the gig with Wee Willie Harris.

“Previously, Tony had played with semi-pro bands such as the 'Royal Blue Dance Band' and the 'Carefrees' with whom three original songs were published and recorded including B-side 'We Love You Beatles.'

“More recently, Tony has played with the Vibratones, a small, three-piece, semi-pro group featuring guitarist Jordan Westwell and bassist Gregory Harper that was originally one of Tony's first musical ventures over 40 years ago.

“Besides being the guitarist and bandleader with Wee Willie Harris (other members of the group included Tony Crombie, Brian Gregg, Jeff Lawrence, Roger Sutton and Tony Bell), Tony also worked with the Coventry Theatre Orchestra accompanying the likes of Cilla Black, Jilly Tarbuck, Harry Seacome, Roy Castle and many, many more.

“Tony then went on to arrange and play for teen idol Tommy Steele, and later became guitarist, singer and writer with pop group The Rubettes.”

Tony's work is detailed on his official website which also includes a section on throughts.

One reads: "Genius may be 1 per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration but without the inspiration, the rest is just pointless sweat."