Bournemouth musician Tony Roberts dies aged 84

The popular, talented and well-loved musician leaves behind heartbroken wife Maureen, her daughter Lesley-Jane, his sons Stephen and Gareth, his brother Chris and his beloved dog Harry.

Tony was a celebrated musician, entertaining audiences across the globe in a career spanning 60 years.
An accomplished pianist, a sensational cabaret artist and musical director, Tony also performed at some of the most prestigious hotels in the country and held his audiences captive with his entertaining brilliance.

Tony was born on September 15, 1935 in Poplar, London. His Dad was a fireman in the Blitz. 

At four-years-old Tony and his sister Sylvia were evacuated to Devon, where he was “very happy although looking forward to coming home and meeting his new baby brother Chris.

He excelled at Charlton Secondary School for Boys and in 1948, collected a certificate for swimming 12 yards!

His son Gareth said: “This was quite a feat for a Cockney lad!”

At this time Tony had already started piano lessons and despite his piano teacher saying that his playing would never amount to much he was spurred on by a comment from his mum: “If you can play the piano you’ll always be asked to parties!”

After leaving school in 1950,  with a glowing report from his headmaster, Tony trained as an accountant.

However, Gareth said: “He couldn’t stand the boredom of ticking papers all day!”
Tony completed his National Service in the army and made many friends with whom he kept in touch for the rest of his life.

Gareth said: “While in the army dad was part of the Concert Party and as well as playing piano, he used to dress up in silly costumes - something he would return to doing several years later.”

Tony also formed a trio while he was in the army, which was booked to play a host of functions and weddings.

Tony married Sylvia and began working for Thomas Cook. The couple had Stephen and Gareth, before the family moved to Hedge End.

At this time Tony worked as a Foreign Exchange Cashier on Townsend Thoresen Ferrys. 
Tony moved to Poole and worked for Minns Music in Bournemouth and his band, the Tony Roberts Big Band, became a regular fixture on Poole Quay. 

Gareth said: “Music was his life and he formed the Tony Roberts Big Band which was hugely successful. Tony would play a regular Sunday night gig on Poole Quay for many years.

“At this time he was often booked as a Musical Director for cabaret and variety shows in various venues around the south coast.

“Among other performers, he worked with Benny Hill,The Wurzels and Val Doonican.”
Tony became the musical director for singer Maureen Gardner during the mid 1970’s and the couple fell in love and married in 1983. 

Tony and Maureen were busy in cabaret, working in the United Arab Emirates, Italy and Spain as well as completing 16 summer seasons on the Isle of Wight. 

Tony played for cabaret shows over his working career and played for Dancing at several Bournemouth hotels, performing the sounds behind the big ballroom sounds, including the Cha Cha Cha, Foxtrot and Rumba.

And despite a supremely busy schedule, Tony also performed the occasional Jazz gig, sometimes with his son Gareth on drums.

Tony and Maureen won a Seaside Entertainment Award in 1987 in Blackpool, where they represented the Isle of Wight for the same year.

And the couple added singing telegrams to their repertoire.

Gareth said: “Tony would go out as a singing strip o’ gram but the ladies always ended up disappointed as he would never complete the ‘full monty’ and would always end up in just his Victorian swimsuit!”

Over the years Tony and Maureen performed many different cabaret routines but his favourite was always his Fagin from Oliver, with many a pocket picked and many laughs were had.

Tony and Maureen hosted a weekly tea dance together, which ran for 10 years and with live music performed the dances became extremely popular.

Gareth said: “Everything changed in 2010 when illness slowed him down. But he always enjoyed visits from his four grandchildren - James, Emily, Hannah and Liam.

“Maureen would always make sure Tony got out and about most days and they would often be found walking Bertie, Alfie or Harry, their beloved dogs in Hamworthy Park and in the more recent years, with his new found freedom on his scooter - it was the dogs that had to keep an eye on Tony!

“Tony brought a lot of joy to a lot of people and even throughout the last difficult years he always kept his lovely smile.”

Tony is survived by his wife Maureen, her daughter Lesley-Jane his sons Stephen and Gareth and his brother Chris.

Tony will be sorely missed by his very many friends and colleagues.

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