LONNIE DONEGANLonnie Donegan, who died on 3 November,2002, at the age of 71, was known to many as the ‘King of Skiffle’ and will beforever remembered as one of the most influential musicians of the genre.With more than 20 UK Top 30 hits to hisname, hits included ‘Does Your Chewing Gum LoseIts Flavour’, ‘My Old Man’s a Dustman’ and ‘Cumberland Gap’.Queen guitarist Brian May has credited the skiffle icon with being “theprincipal reason I picked up a guitar,” while Cliff Richard, himself hugelyinfluenced by Mr Donegan’s music, once described him as a “terrific force.”Anthony James Donegan was born on 29 April,1931, in Glasgow, Scotland, but was raised in London’s East End where he grewup the son of a classical violinist.Inspired by blues music and New Orleansjazz bands, he was 14 when he bought his first guitar, a battered 30-shillingversion which he played in a jazz band led by distinguished trombonist, ChrisBarber. It was Mr Barber who taught him how to play the banjo and, after twobrief years of National Service, not long until the young skiffle musician hadbecome a regular with the group, by now re-named the ‘Barber Sunshine Hot Six’.During the late 1940s and early 50s, thegroup evolved into ‘Chris Barber’s Jazz Band’, with Mr Donegan playing both guitarand banjo. Gig intervals became famous for his so-called ‘skiffle break’,entertaining audiences with folk songs using a washboard, tea-chest bass and Spanishguitar.1956 saw him at last shoot to fame with thealbum ‘Rock Island Line’. Selling an incredible three million copies, itcrashed into the both the British and American top 10 overnight and became thefirst debut record to go gold in Britain.He split with Chris Barber soon after and,as part of ‘Lonnie Donegan’s Skiffle Group’, every single he released over thenext six years became a top-10 hit.The 1970s were less successful, however, ashe began to play on the American cabaret circuit. He also suffered his first ina series of heart attacks during this time and was forced to undergo quadruplebypass surgery in 1976.Later years signalled a return to thepublic’s attention with ‘Puttin’ on the Style’, a collaboration with stars suchas Elton John and Brian May, as well as a long reunion tour with the ChrisBarber band to mark 40 years.Further collaborations, perhaps mostnotably with Van Morrison and Dr John, came in 2000. 2000 also saw him appear at the GlastonburyFestival and receive the MBE. Two years later, on 3November 2002, he died after another heart attack, mid-way through a UK tour.He was 71.He famously wrote ‘I’ll Never Fall in LoveAgain’ for Tom Jones in 1969. It was later recorded by Elvis Presley and, asone in a succession of hit songs he penned, earned Mr Donegan a lifetimeachievement award at the 1997 Ivor Novello Awards.
Keep me informed of updates
