THE frontman of popular sixties band Tony Rivers and the Castaways has passed away aged 85.
Tony Rivers, born Anthony Thompson, fell ill with sepsis in February and was rushed to hospital, his son said.
Tributes have flooded in for the icon who penned the theme song for the iconic 70s Cliff Richards show Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
Tony joined a a banned called The Cutaways before they became Tony Rivers and the Castaways.
The group rocketed to fame after recording a hit cover of the beach boys God Only Knows.
After the band disbanded Tony formed Harmony Grass with their single Move a Little Closer reaching no.24 in the UK Singles Chart in 1969.
Pal Cliff Richard took to social media to announce the sad news.
In a post the 70s icon said: “Tony Rivers has passed on, leaving me shocked and upset at losing yet another talented friend.
“He featured on many of my albums and tours, creating backing vocals that lifted my tracks into what I could only have dreamed of.
“He was the “Master” of harmonies.
“God Bless you Tony, I shall miss you greatly. Rest in Peace, Cliff.”
