Anthony James (Lonnie) Donegan

1931 - 2002

Musician, known as the "King of Skiffle". Born in Glasgow. Singing and playing banjo and guitar, Donegan led the skiffle scene, having more than 30 charts hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s, making him one of the most successful British pop stars of the time. His best known songs were "My old man's a dustman", "Does chewing gum lose its flavour on the bed-post overnight?" and "Cumberland Gap". He played himself in the 1957 film Light Fingers. Although he influenced many other artists, including the Beatles, his own career declined from the mid-1960s.

Awarded an MBE in 2000, Donegan died in Peterborough (England) while mid-way through a UK tour.

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