Tony Thorpe, the guitarist of seventies glam-rock outfit The Rubettes, has died at the age of 80 after a period of declining health, his family has confirmed.
Mr Thorpe was a founding member of the group, which he put together in 1974 as the glam-rock era was drawing to a close.
The band became fixtures on Top Of The Pops and notched up nine Top 40 singles during their career.
Their debut release, Sugar Baby Love, reached the top of the UK charts and held the number one position for four weeks, becoming their most celebrated record.
Tom Thorpe (right) of The Rubettes has died
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His family paid tribute in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we officially announce the passing of Anthony John Thorpe,” they began.
“He was a father to Clay, a husband to Shirle, a friend to many, and a mentor to countless musicians, young and old.”
They added: “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.”
The Rubettes also paid tribute. On the band’s Facebook page, their statement read: “Mercifully now at peace. Dear Tony, our paths having crossed but fleetingly during which time was conceived wondrous music and often hilariously memorable moments.
“Your brilliance with the axe and the pen cannot be denied and remains with us, never forgotten. Rest now Cowboy. Alan.
Born Anthony John Thorpe on July 20, 1945, at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, the musician was due to celebrate his 81st birthday this month.
Mr Thorpe’s musical journey began early, with the youngster taking up both guitar and drums at the age of 11.
The Rubettes lit up the charts in the 1970s
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He was educated at St Ignatius College in London, an institution whose former pupils include the filmmaker Sir Alfred Hitchcock and the record producer Sir George Martin.
By 16, he had turned professional, landing a role as guitarist and bandleader for the rock and roll performer Wee Willie Harris.
Before that breakthrough, he had already cut his teeth with semi-professional outfits, including the Royal Blue Dance Band and the Carefrees.
With the latter group, three original compositions were published and recorded, among them a B-side entitled We Love You Beatles.
Fellow members of the Wee Willie Harris band included the jazz drummer Tony Crombie and bassist Brian Gregg.
His career extended well beyond The Rubettes as he spent time with the Coventry Theatre Orchestra, where he accompanied performers such as Cilla Black, Jimmy Tarbuck, Harry Secombe and Roy Castle. He also arranged and played for the teen idol Tommy Steele.
After The Rubettes, he released two solo singles and recorded a country album called Tone Control for the BBC.
He went on to achieve further chart success with The Firm, whose single Arthur Daley’s E’s Alright reached the Top 20.
The Rubettes had a number of top 40 hits
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Following four years of worldwide touring, Mr Thorpe stepped away from the music industry and settled in Lancashire.
He reinvented himself first as a journalist, then as a music lecturer at Blackburn College, a post he held until January 2012. He later retired to Poulton-le-Fylde.
Mr Thorpe also founded the comedy double act Cooger and Dark and formed the blues outfit Gas Co, recording a blues album titled Illusions and Dangerous Prayer by the late nineties. His 2014 autobiography, A Bride’s Nightie, chronicled his experiences on the road with The Rubettes and during his session days.
He is survived by his wife Shirley and son Clayton.