The original drummer and a founding member of British rock group The Shadows has died aged 62.
Tony Meehan, who played drums on all the early hits by the group, which also backed pop star Cliff Richard until 1961, died on Monday at St Mary’s hospital in Paddington, central London, after an accident at his home.
Former bandmate Richard paid tribute on Tuesday to the musician he described as a ”major force” in creating the distinctive sound of The Shadows, who became Britain’s most successful instrumental rock band.
”I was so shocked to hear of Tony’s death,” Richard said. ”His innovative drumming was the backbone of the band, and his aggressive yet sparse style was similar to Ringo’s five years later with The Beatles.
”It seems horrifying that a domestic accident should take his life at such a relatively young age, and my deepest sympathy goes out to his wife and family.”
Meehan was part of the original Shadows line-up that included guitarists Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch and bassist Jet Harris and produced a string of hit records both as an instrumental band and with Richard on vocals between 1958 and 1961, including the 1960 chart-topping instrumental Apache.
He later worked again with Harris on their British number-one hit Diamonds, which featured future Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. — Sapa-AFP