Genius and a gent dies

Friends, family and well wishers were expected to attend his funeral today at Woodvale Crematorium, Brighton, at 12.30pm.

Mr Back, born and educated in Brighton, wrote and performed for top artists, including Kathy Kirby, and he once appeared on BBCs Top Of The Pops.

At the tender age of three he was able to play tunes on a piano and he began performing in public at seven with his two sisters and a friend, calling themselves Tony And The Melodians.

One show was held at St Dunstans home for the war blinded in Ovingdean, Brighton.

In addition to playing the piano and organ, he taught himself to play the guitar and the harmonica.

On leaving school he teamed up with Maurice Glanville and the pair lost their jobs at a stained glass window company for taking time off to play in a radio programme.

In the Sixties he joined Bobby Sansoms Giants group and appeared on Top Of The Pops with The Chimes.

He was mainly playing the guitar but he returned to the piano and organ and in the Seventies he played keyboard with Eric Winstones Orchestra.

Mr Back lived in Brighton and supported Brighton and Hove Albion. At one time he ran a music shop in the city.

He met Shirley in 1980 and the couple married in 1995.

For most of the Nineties Mr Back played for organ societies throughout England and Wales and for local groups, including The Starliners.

He composed songs and two were to be played at todays funeral. He regularly visited St Dunstans and taught children at two Brighton schools.

Mr Backs sister Dorrie Mottram said: The world of music has lost a genius.

Singer Renee Ansell, from Hove, called Mr Back a great musician, a gentleman, a genius in the music world and a wonderful human being.

She said: I performed with him many times and it was always the greatest pleasure as his artistry was unique.

I was the last person to perform with him on Christmas Eve in a hotel in Worthing. There was only one Tony Back.

Mr Back is survived by Shirley and his sister Dorrie.