Music world mourns as skiffle legend Lonnie Donegan dies

KING of skiffle Lonnie Donegan has died after collapsing midway through a UK tour.

The star, whose hits included Cumberland Gap and My Old Man's A Dustman, was with his wife and son when he died in Peterborough in the early hours of Monday morning.

Donegan, who had suffered a series of heart attacks, had been complaining of back trouble shortly before he fell ill in the morning.

He is understood to have died shortly afterwards. Donegan was 71.

He had been a big influence on the Beatles and had been due to take part in a tribute concert to George Harrison at the Royal Albert Hall at the end of the month.

John Lennon was playing in a skiffle band inspired by Donegan, The Quarrymen, when he first met Paul McCartney.

A spokeswoman said: "Lonnie Donegan was a legend he changed the face of British popular music.

"In a career that covered over 50 years, he inspired nearly every major musician alive today."

Fans included Mark Knopfler, Brian May and Van Morrison. Glasgow-born Donegan left school at the age of 14 and worked as a clerk in a stockbroker's office.

He joined the army at the age of 18 and it was while on military service that he met an American who fired his love for country and western music which was a big part of the skiffle sound. Rock Island Line, became Donegan's first chart hit in 1956 His first number one came the next year with Cumberland Gap.

There followed a string of hits which stayed popular with subsequent generations. His gems included Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (On The Bedpost Overnight), Gamblin' Man, and Pick A Bale Of Cotton.

Although the chart hits dried up he could still be found with regular TV spots on shows such as the BBC's The Good Old Days.

He also kept his hand in on the recording front with an album which included performances by Brian May, Rory Gallagher, Sir Elton John and Ron Wood.

Donegan leaves seven children from his three marriages.

Queen guitarist Brian May led tributes to Donegan last night, saying: "He really was at the very cornerstone of English blues and rock. I'm deeply shocked. He was a hero of mine. The first record I ever bought was Rock Island Line I was about 10, I suppose.

"People remember My Old Man's A Dustman, Chewing Gum etc, but of course there was a more serious side to Lonnie he really was the first guy to bring the blues to England."`