Fred Tomlinson (singer)

Frederick "Fred" Tomlinson (18 December 1927 – 17 July 2016) was a British singer, songwriter and composer. He founded the Fred Tomlinson Singers, who sang the music featured on Monty Python's Flying Circus, The Two Ronnies and other British television shows.[1][2] Tomlinson also composed and wrote songs for Monty Python, including "The Lumberjack Song", which he co-wrote with Terry Jones and Michael Palin.[1][2] He and his Fred Tomlinson Singers then performed "The Lumberjack Song" on Monty Python's Flying Circus in December 1969, as well as the song "Spam" in 1970 while dressed as Vikings.[1]

Tomlinson was born on 18 December 1927, in Rawtenstall, Lancashire.[1] His father, Fred, had created the Rossendale Male Voice Choir in 1924.[2] His older brother, Ernest Tomlinson, was a composer. He studied music, mathematics, statistics, and the Italian language at Leeds University.[2] Tomlinson trained to become a teacher and served in the Royal Air Force in Singapore before embarking on a career in music.[2] He married his wife, Pamela, during the mid-1950s.[2]

Fred Tomlinson died on 17 July 2016, at the age of 88.[1] He was survived by his wife, Pamela. His death was announced on Monty Python's official website.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Fred Tomlinson, singer on Monty Python – obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 2016-08-02. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Slotnik, Daniel E. (2016-08-04). "Fred Tomlinson, Singer Who Led a ‘Monty Python’ Troupe, Dies at 88". New York Times. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
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