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originally with Derek at the piano, Bob Duffy on bass and Bob Turner at the drums were a staple of
Granada’s ‘People and Places’, exchanging sardonic repartee with presenter Billy Grundy. The line-up changed over time to Amos Smith on drums and finally to Dave Lynane on bass and Dave Hassall as drummer. From 1963 – 1964 The Derek Hilton Trio were also resident musicians at Manchester nightclub Mr Smiths. By 1963 Derek had composed, arranged or played more than 500 TV themes. As musical director at Granada TV Derek is credited with writing the highest number of television themes in the United Kingdom – a total of 241.
124:. The son of Alfred Redvers Hilton, a keen amateur operatic singer, and Emily, a Shropshire girl in service as a maid, Derek began piano lessons at six-years old. Showbusiness had fired his imagination after visiting the music hall at Bury Hippodrome, where he recalled the spotlights transforming the dingy hall into a pink and magical palace. 'When I was nine or ten I used to make stages and put tiny musicians on them,' he said. 'I always wanted to play music.’
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After thirty-two years with
Granada, Hilton retired, though continuing to write music, for the stage play Feed and as Musical Director on P & O and Cunard cruise ships. He was married twice, the second time to Valerie George, whom he later divorced. Hilton died on 11 July 2005 and leaves three
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in 1956. A few weeks later, Derek was called in to play 'Mountain
Greenery' on 'Spot the Tune' leading to a permanent spot. Soon Derek's professionalism led to his regularly playing at two shows a day, five days a week: ‘Sharp at Four’ and ‘People and Places’ at 6 pm. The Derek Hilton Trio,
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In
Germany Derek met his first wife Mary Witsenburg, a Dutch girl stranded in Hamburg throughout the war and they married in London in 1949. There followed a busy time touring as pianist with orchestras and leaders such as
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663:) at the piano when she sang on the show. He was also a regular at the keyboard at The Wheeltapper's and Shunter's Social Club where he was the MD overseeing 'the turns.' A passionate
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that he was more useful playing the piano in the Mess than out on the parade ground. Next came postings to Italy, Austria, Germany and France with "
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fan, in 1972 Derek wrote Bury's anthem Aye, aye, Up the
Shakers sung by The Bury Tones which was for many years a rousing anthem for Shakers fans.
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108:. He is mostly remembered for his television themes and is credited as writing a total of 241. He also composed under the pseudonym John Snow.
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104:(3 February 1927 – 11 July 2005) was an English musician and composer who worked for most of his professional career as musical director at
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as pianist and arranger gave him invaluable experience in jotting down parts at high speed for each night's performance.
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daughters from his first marriage, Marijke Snell, Lorraine Howell, a designer and
Martine Bailey, a writer.
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Hilton's big break came when his trio provided the music at the Press
Reception for the newly launched
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By fourteen years of age Derek was leading his band 'The
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Derek Hilton was born on 3 February 1927 at a modest terraced house in York Street,
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contains several of Derek's' library tracks which are available currently.
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1973 Ivor
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Derek Hilton (under the pseudonym John Snow) at De Wolfe
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Military personnel from the Metropolitan Borough of Bury
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In 1969 he created the theme to radio's long-standing '
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37:Background information
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102:Derek Redvers Hilton
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457:(TV theme and film)
454:Nearest and Dearest
407:Leave it to Charlie
400:Last of the Baskets
268:The Corridor People
234:Big Breadwinner Hog
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763:. Retrieved
761:. March 1966
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152:" alongside
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77:(2005-07-11)
75:11 July 2005
47:Derek Hilton
22:Derek Hilton
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904:2005 deaths
899:1927 births
608:Nominations
528:(209 shows)
491:The Sinners
378:Inheritance
324:Fallen Hero
241:The Caesars
170:Kay Kendall
893:Categories
790:. May 1963
686:References
474:Paris 1900
421:The Lovers
206:Granada TV
194:Sonny Rose
128:Experience
118:Whitefield
82:Manchester
65:Whitefield
58:1927-02-03
43:Birth name
788:Crescendo
544:Theme jam
393:Judge Dee
255:Comedians
200:Big Break
134:accordion
112:Childhood
84:, England
67:, England
414:Lift Off
138:trombone
665:Bury FC
497:Spindoe
364:Haunted
120:, near
846:13 May
842:. 1987
820:13 May
647:, and
593:Awards
448:Murder
794:4 May
765:4 May
736:4 May
710:4 May
586:Clogs
275:Cribb
879:IMDb
848:2015
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712:2015
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.