Sunday 21 March 2010

HARRY AT THE DRUMS

Rhyl, North WalesHarry Lightfoot was born in Chester in 1928, moved to Rhyl in 1949. He heard Roy Holliday playing at the Pavilion and went for lessons at Roy’s home in Millbank Road, Rhyl, at "five bob an hour".

Harry had some limited experience as a drummer in a church band and a liking for American big band drummers of the day such as Mel Lewis (with the Stan Kenton Orchestra) and Louie Bellson who recorded ‘Skin Deep’ with Duke Ellington's Orchestra.

The black-and-white portrait above shows Harry Lightfoot in 1955. A vehicle and plant mechanic by trade, Harry became very active as a dance band player throughout the 1950s and early 1960s all along the North Wales coast.

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