He got his first trumpet when he was 16, he'd previously played the bugle in the school band,He started playing in local clubs and halls with some other lads, At one of these sessions he spotted a girl sitting on some stairs who was obviously interested in the music, After the session he started talking to her and asked her for a date, her name was Betty and their friendship strengthend but was interrupted when he was called up for National Service in the army. He was demobbed in 1950 and got a job selling electric irons, He played the trumpet in the evenings and soon attracted a faithful following, He married Betty in 1952 and had 2 children- Gillian born 1958 and Keith born 1961, Gradually music ceased to be a sideline and he turned professional, That was about 1960 when he formed his band, which like many others had its ups and downs. While the line up changed the band remained popular. Among their hits were Samantha, Midnight in Moscow, which got him a gold disc, and March of the Siamese Children.

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Kenny Ball

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