Legendary guitarist of 70s glam rock band with UK number one hit dies aged 80 after health battle

THE legendary guitarist of glam-rock band, The Rubettes, has died aged 80. The star’s death was announced by his family in a heartbreaking tribute as they said he had been battling his “recently failing health“. Tony Thorpe (L), the guitarist and vocalist for The Rubettes, has died aged 80 Credit: Alamy His family announced his death with a touching tributeCredit: Refer to source The Rubettes were formed in 1974, emerging at the end of the glam-rock movement and were regulars on Top Of The Pops. Their first release was “Sugar Baby Love” which went straight to the top of the charts in the UK for four weeks and remains their best known record. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! Tony’s family said in a statement: “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. The Rubettes were best known for their hit single ‘Sugar Baby Love’ Credit: Getty The band formed in 1974 and had a string of hits Credit: Getty “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 star’s website biography reveals Tony began playing the guitar and drums from 11-years-old. It reads: “Anthony John Thorpe was born on the 20th July in St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London in the year of 1945. Most read in Showbiz “He attended St Mary’s Priory School and later St Ignatius College (notable ex-pupils include Sir Alfred Hitchcock KBE and Sir George Martin CBE). “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, Tony also worked with the Coventry Theatre Orchestra accompanying the likes of Cilla Black OBE, Jimmy Tarbuck OBE, Harry Seacome CBE, Roy Castle OBE and many, many more. “Tony then went on to arrange and play for teen idol Tommy Steele OBE, and later became guitarist, singer and writer with pop group The Rubettes.“ Thorpe also released two solo singles and performed a country set on BBC with his country album “Tone Control” recorded shortly after. He went on to find further success with The Firm and sang on their Top 20 hit “Arthur Daley’s E’s Alright”. His biography also reveals that he was the founder of comedy double act “Cooger and Dark” and formed the blues band “Gas Co”. By the late 90s, Thorpe had recorded a blues album called “Illusions and Dangerous Prayer”. Until January 2012, he also lectured on music at Blackburn College. In 2012, he released an autobiography called “A Bride’s Nightie”. Before his death, he lived with his wife Shirley in Burnley, Lancashire. Comment now