Derek Wadsworth dies
It is with the deepest sadness that I have to reveal that my dear friend Derek Wadsworth has died.
Derek had been Dusty’s trombone player in the 1960s, augmenting The Echoes and went on to book musicians and singers for all her UK appearences in later years. He was a renowned composer of film & television music and a regular on the jazz scene in & around London.
Among his many credits as either writer or arranger were music for the TV productions Space 1999 & Pickwick Papers, the movies The Whales Of August, Dick Tracy & The Man Who Fell To Earth.
Derek co-wrote the famous Cadbury’s Flake jingle with Ronnie Bond, and was musical director on the original London production of Hair!
In addition to Dusty he arranged for Judy Garland, Nina Simone & Shirley Bassey, and he played on The Beatles’ White Album.
Derek graced Dusty Day with his presence this year & was expected to appear at next years event.
I heard this sad news today from Carole Gibson. Derek’s friends didn’t know. I have just informed Pat Rhodes & we both express our shock & sadness while extending our love to Derek’s family. Funeral arrangements will be announced following a post mortem, owing to the sudden nature of Derek’s death.
Saturday, 6 December 2008