The Rubettes guitarist Tony Thorpe dies aged 80 after ‘failing health’

Tony Thorpe, best known as the guitarist in 1970s group The Rubettes, has died aged 80.

He had first picked up a guitar – as well as playing the drums – at just 11-years-old, going pro five years later at a gig with Wee Willie Harris.

It was then in 1974 he joined The Rubettes, whose debut single Sugar Baby Love shot to the top of the charts, remaining there for four weeks.

A statement from Thorpe’s family read: ‘It is with great sadness that we officially announce the passing of Anthony John Thorpe.

‘He was a father to Clay, a husband to Shirle, a friend to many, and a mentor to countless musicians young and old.’

They added: ‘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.’

Thorpe performed with The Rubettes from 1974 to 1979, alongside Alan Williams, John Richardson, Pete Arnesen, Mick Clarke and Bill Hurd.

They first performed together on Top of the Pops to promote Sugar Baby Love, the vocals for which had been recorded in a studio session by Paul Da Vinci, who did not join the band.

Originally leaning into the glam-rock genre, they secured several top 10s such as Tonight, Juke Box Jive, and I Can Do It.

By 1976, they moved more pop-rock, releasing tracks like Julia, Allez Ooop and Ooh La La.

Thorpe’s vocals can be heard on their self-composed hit Baby I Know, a country-rock ballad which reached number 10 in the UK.

He also sang lead on Does It Gotta Be Rock ‘N’ Roll, but then left the band in 1979 over creative differences.

One difference was said to be over the song You’re the Reason Why, which he wanted the vocal harmonies to be stripped from but was outvoted.

A bootleg recording of his version has been circulated in the years since, with Thorpe known to perform it at his live shows.

Despite The Rubettes’ re-formations over the years, Thorpe did not rejoin and instead released music independently.