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Ronald Thomas Verrell (21 February 1926 – 22 February 2002) was an English jazz drummer. He played in two of the United Kingdom's "most famous" [1] big bands, the Ted Heath Orchestra and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra.
Dec 6, 2009 · A feat of dual drumnastics from two of the masters of British jazz tubthumping - Ronnie 'Animal' Verrell and Kenny Clare - with Ted Heath and his Music in 1962.
- 2 min
- 58.2K
- Cheeseford
Jun 22, 2010 · A 1977 performance of Skin Deep by the Jack Parnell band, featuring its leader on drums with Ronnie 'Animal' Verrell in tandem.
- 3 min
- 110.3K
- TheJazzBotherer
Oct 24, 2009 · The Ian James Big Band led by Ian Young with special guest Ronnie Verrell playing Sing S... This concert was recorded in 1999 at The Wilde Theatre in Bracknell.
- 8 min
- 73.1K
- leodegars
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Ronnie Verrell (1926-2002) was an energetic jazz drummer "whose talent was hidden behind a rather formidable front man, Animal." As a member of Jack Parnell's house orchestra for all five seasons of The Muppet Show, Verrell performed the actual drumming for Animal, as well as other drum work.
Verrell's most notable performance occurred in episode 522, performing Animal's frenetic contest with Buddy Rich, Verrell's own idol. Rich likewise held him in regard: "Then, of course, the battle at the end with Animal; to play opposite Ronnie Verrell— one of my all-time favorite drummers, along with Kenny Clare—was a total gas to me. That one week will go down as one of the most positive weeks in my career."
Self-taught, Verrell began playing during WWII, later joining the Ted Heath Band around 1952 (who performed in both England and the United States of America, at one point backing Nat King Cole). Leaving Heath to freelance in 1964, he eventually joined Jack Parnell and would perform as part of his ATV orchestra for ten years, heard on the soundtrack of such series as The Avengers, Thunderbirds, and Captain Scarlet. He backed such performers as Tony Bennett and Shirley Bassey, and played regularly with Tom Jones. Verrell's recording credits, in addition to singles and albums with Heath and Parnell, included performances with such diverse personalities as actor Albert Finney, violinist Yehudi Mehnuin, and Leo Sayer (drumming on his cover of The Beatles' "Let It Be.")
Though sidelined by an auto accident in the 1990s, Verrell continued to perform. From 2000 until the end of his life, he was a member of the touring Best of British band.
1.Classified Obituary. Herald Sun (Melbourne, Australia), March 1, 2002.
2.Jazz Professionals Buddy Rich interview, talking to Les Tomkins in 1980. Interview posted on Jazzprofessional.com.
3.Vacher, Peter Obituary. The Guardian. March 18, 2002
4.Telegraph obituary. March 5, 2002
Mar 1, 2002 · FANS and musicians have said farewell to veteran drummer Ronnie Verrell, whose funeral took place last week. He died from a lung infection which had complicated surgery for a back injury.
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My earliest recollection of Ronnie Verrell was when, as an already brilliant voung drummer, I received a telephone call from an agitated Ted Heath, who wanted me to help him obtain the release of Ronnie from his contract in order to replace Jack Parnell, who was leaving to lead his own band.
