The Rubettes guitarist Tony Thorpe dead at 80
Tony Thorpe, the guitarist with the glam-rock band The Rubettes, has died aged 80.
The Rubettes were formed by Polydor Records in 1974, and immediately found huge success with their debut single ‘Sugar Baby Love’, which topped the charts in the UK, as well as entering the top 40 in the United States.
However, as much as their first single was a huge hit, which put them on the map, The Rubettes never had another chart-topping record, but did amass a total of nine top 40 singles in the UK.
Thorpe left the band in 1979 due to creative differences and never returned to The Rubettes, who remain active.
Announcing his death, Thorpe’s family said in a statement, “It is with great sadness that we officially announce the passing of Anthony John Thorpe.”
The message went on to remember Thorpe as “a father to Clay, a husband to Shirle, a friend to many, and a mentor to countless musicians young and old.”
They also shared with fans, “His recently failing health did little to diminish his fierce intellect and sharp sense of humour. He will leave an unfillable hole in the lives of all who knew him, or his music. Our love and thoughts go to his son Clayton.”
The Rubettes’ Alan Williams has also honoured Thorpe on Facebook, writing, “Mercifully now at peace. Dear Tony, our paths having crossed but fleetingly during which time was conceived wondrous music and often hilariously memorable moments.”
He emotionally continued, “Your brilliance with the axe and the pen cannot be denied and remains with us, never forgotten. Rest now Cowboy. Alan.”
In addition to The Rubettes, Thorpe released solo material, as well as contributing to material by Cilla Black, Jimmy Tarbuck, Harry Secombe and Roy Castle as a session musician. In the 1980s, he was a member of the novelty band The Firm (not to be mistaken for Jimmy Page’s supergroup).
According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Thorpe moved to Burnley after leaving the music business behind, eventually retiring in Poulton-le-Fylde. He also taught a music course at Blackburn College.
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