From Head Chorister at All Souls, Langham Place, London and a musical education firmly rooted in the classics, Tony took a job as a tea boy in a small London music publishing company and thereby began a career which established him as one of the UK’s leading arrangers, conductors, record producers and a world-famous composer of popular songs and music for television. He is also a songwriter, pianist, arranger and producer.
Best known for his 1964 hit “Downtown”, which sold over 3 million records worldwide and established Petula Clark as an international star. His stellar musical career has included writing some of television’s most famous theme tunes such as for ITV soaps “Crossroads”, “Emmerdale”, “Neighbours”, “Man Alive” and the “Champions”.
Tony’s songs have been featured in over 100 films, countless television productions and have been performed or recorded by such luminaries as Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra, George Shearing, Ella Fitzgerald, Pearl Bailey, Sammy Davis Jr, Jack Jones, Dolly Parton, Nancy Wilson and Shirley Bassey. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.
Tony’s involvement in Variety began in 1982 when he joined The Variety Club of Australia, while living in Sydney. In 1987, he became Chief Barker for a three year term helping to supervise its growth to seven independent tents. He returned to the UK in 1995 and joined the Variety Club of Great Britain and immediately became involved in the production of many Variety fundraising events, most notably the annual Christmas lunch and served as Chief Barker there in 2000. In the mid 1990’s Tony joined the Variety Iowa Telethon traveling back to Iowa every year until Covid hit and the Telethon became virtual. Tony was also became President of Variety International from 1997 to 1999.
Tony has been a long-standing supporter of Variety all over the world and has been recognized for his services to music and charity by Queen Elizabeth when he received his OBE title.
Tony and his wife Maggie, are still very involved in Variety with various projects and they spend most of their time in Menorca and travel frequently to London. Together, they have 6 children, 12 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.