Tony Dangerfield

Published Tuesday 7 August 2007 at 11:10 by Lee Wilkinson

Tony Dangerfield always described himself in self-deprecatory style as a “rock’n’roll journeyman”.

Popular music stardom may have eluded him, but Dangerfield was a proficient guitarist, bass player and singer whose career spanned five decades in a variety of guises.

Born in Wolverhampton on August 31, 1944, Anthony Stuart Dangerfield was best known as bassist with various conglomerations of Screaming Lord Sutch’s backing band, The Savages. He also played alongside guitarist Ritchie Blackmore who went on to form Deep Purple.

Maverick record mogul Joe Meek was quick to spot his musical talent and pop star good looks, signing him to a recording contract and launching him as a solo artist. Recruiting his own backing group, Dangerfield recorded the ballad I’ve Seen Such Things coupled with the rocking She’s Too Way Out. Produced by Meek and issued on the Pye label in September 1964, the record was, quite frankly, a flop but is now considered to be something of a collector’s item.

Undeterred, Dangerfield continued to perform with Sutch at musical events around London. He succumbed to heart failure on July 20.