Record

CodeDS/UK/11652
NameWiltshire; Johnny (1928-2006); British guitarist, musical director
Dates1928-2006
GenderMale
BiographyBorn on June 2, 1928, Wiltshire began his career in 1946 with a Hawaiian band in a season at Ventnor in the Isle of Wight. After doing his National Service, he worked with many large dance bands before forming his own band, The Trebletones. The Trebletones worked constantly throughout the fifties and sixties, recording the Butlins Holiday Camp song, as well as touring with Cliff Richard, The Beatles, The Hollies, Helen Shapiro and others.

They appeared on many radio and TV shows, including The Saturday Club. As the sixties drew to a close, Johnny decided to become a musical director. He worked with Des O’Connor, Engelbert Humperdinck, Little and Large, Vera Lynn and in 1970 began his association with Morecambe and Wise (1970-1977). He booked bands for and worked on more than 30 royal shows and charity performances, as well as working with international artists such as Roy Orbison, The Four Tops and Stevie Wonder.

In 1981 Wiltshire began working with Jimmy Tarbuck and Kenny Lynch – an alliance that lasted right up to 2006 when they did a show in Ventnor.

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