|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZHATCH, Tony(b '39, Pinner, Middlesex) UK composer, arranger, leader, singer. Attended London Choir School, Bexley, Kent; began as tea boy for music publisher, became song-plugger, writing in spare time; joined Top Rank Records '59 in A&R. Wrote "Look For A Star', used in film Circus Of Horrors '60: Garry Mills record went top 10 UK '60, four versions top 30 in USA: Mills, Garry Miles (Buzz Cason), Dean Hawley, Billy Vaughn. Worked with the Band of the Coldstream Guards for three years, also as recording manager Pye Records, supplying hits for Emile Ford, Lonnie Donegan, the Searchers, Petula Clark: wrote "Downtown' for her, sold 3m copies '64-5. Second UK no. 1 with "Where Are You Now (My Love)' by wife-to-be Jackie Trent. Often co-writing with her, published "I Know A Place', "Who Am I?', "Colour My World', "I Couldn't Live Without Your Love', "My Love', "Don't Sleep In The Subway', "The Other Man's Grass', "Joanna', "Call Me', etc gaining several songwriting awards. Made LPs Beautiful In The Rain (as bandleader), Showcase (as Tony Hatch Singers and Swingers); as vocal duo with Trent had hit "The Two Of Us', toured as cabaret act, played London Palladium and made TV special Mr And Mrs Music '69 (LP of that name on Pye). Prod. show Nell '70 starring Trent; formed music publishing company M&M Music. Wrote TV themes for Crossroads, Emmerdale Farm, Man Alive, etc; at one point had seven themes a week on TV. Notorious for sharp criticism as panellist on long-running TV talent show New Faces mid-'70s; mastermind behind vocal group Sweet Sensation, writing UK no. 1 "Sad Sweet Dreamer' for them '74. Wrote book So You Want To Be In Show Business '76, carried on in TV to '80s; single "Airline' on Tube label '82. |