Biography
Born on 17 April 1923 in Guiseley, Yorkshire, England, Rhodes died on 21 June 2003 in London, England. Although he studied piano and organ while young, only after completing military service during World War II did he commit to a professional music career. Nightclub engagements followed, frequently alongside the Men About Town and within Harry Roy’s society band. He progressed to band leadership and became a frequent BBC radio contributor, appearing on programmes including Workers Playtime, The Arthur Askey Show, The Richard Murdoch Show and I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again, occasionally supplying original theme music. Television work later included variety series fronted by Paul Daniels, Benny Hill, David Nixon and Beryl Reid.
In London’s West End he served as musical director for Expresso Bongo (1958), The Golden Touch (1960), Stop The World - I Want To Get Off (1961), Blitz! (1962) and Our Man Crichton (1964). From 1966 onward he took charge of musical operations at the theatre restaurant The Talk Of The Town, directing its orchestra behind artists that included Pearl Bailey, Judy Garland, Howard Keel, Johnny Mathis, Cliff Richard, the Supremes and Frankie Vaughan. Film orchestration credits encompassed Monty Norman’s score for the first James Bond film, Dr. No (1962). Administrative duties extended to the Musicians Union and the PRS Members Fund, and his community contributions earned him the title of Freeman of the City of London.
In London’s West End he served as musical director for Expresso Bongo (1958), The Golden Touch (1960), Stop The World - I Want To Get Off (1961), Blitz! (1962) and Our Man Crichton (1964). From 1966 onward he took charge of musical operations at the theatre restaurant The Talk Of The Town, directing its orchestra behind artists that included Pearl Bailey, Judy Garland, Howard Keel, Johnny Mathis, Cliff Richard, the Supremes and Frankie Vaughan. Film orchestration credits encompassed Monty Norman’s score for the first James Bond film, Dr. No (1962). Administrative duties extended to the Musicians Union and the PRS Members Fund, and his community contributions earned him the title of Freeman of the City of London.