FANS and musicians have said farewell to veteran drummer Ronnie Verrell, whose funeral took place last week. He died from a lung infection which had complicated surgery for a back injury.

Verrell was a famed and popular percussionist whose style was formed in the 1940s' dance bands of Claude Barriteau and Cyril Stapleton. He attained something of a matinee-idol status in the 1950s (as did a number of leading big band drummers), touring the theatres and dance halls of the world with the Ted Heath orchestra.

The zest, fun and personality he put into his musicianship gained him a long and versatile career. From the 1960s onwards he worked in Los Angeles with Tom Jones and many other pop stars.

His television work saw him play drums in the Muppets Show where he duetted with his hero, Budd Rich, and, recently, in the Frank Skinner Show.

Although, technically, Verrell had retired a few years ago, the work kept coming in. He will especially be remembered on the News Shopper circuit for his occasional guest appearances at Bexley's Kings Head. As it happens, a benefit night had been planned there for March 18 to help him through his recuperation from the back operation.

With the sad news of the drummer's death, the date has now been turned into a celebration of his musical life. The proceeds will go to his widow, Gloria, and the enlivening music will come from the Les Simons' Band with guests Jim Clarke, Steve Waterman and Derek Nash.

- Blues, ballads and ballyhoo: Back by special request of the management of the Pelton Arms is the winning duo of vocalist Gordon Webber and pianist Ron Bowater.

The pub, in Pelton Road, Greenwich, is hosting another of its friendly music nights tomorrow (Thursday) and considers the Webber-Bowater partnership the best act it has hosted. Be there for a spirited mixture from Kansas City Blues to Come Fly With Me by way of some Roberta Flack and Alan Price.

March 1, 2002 16:00