| Code | DS/UK/7190 |
| Name | Aldrich; Ronnie (15 February 1916-30 September 1993); British pianist, conductor and composer |
| Variations of Name | Ronald Frank Aldrich |
| Dates | 15 February 1916-30 September 1993 |
| Gender | Male (cisgender) |
| Place of Birth/Origin | Erith, Kent, England (born) |
| Biography | Ronnie Aldrich was a British easy listening and jazz pianist, arranger, conductor and composer. He was taught violin at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Before the Second World War, he went to India to play jazz and first gained fame in the 1940s with the Squadronaires, which he led from 1951 when the band was then billed as Ronnie Aldrich and The Squadronaires up until their disbanding in 1964.
He regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 2 with his own orchestra as well as with the BBC Radio Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra, based at BBC Glasgow. He was appointed musical director at Thames Television and was widely known as the musical director for the television programme The Benny Hill Show. |