Background
Parnell was born into a theatrical family in London.
conductor bandleader jazz musician
Parnell was born into a theatrical family in London.
During the 1940s and 1950s, he was voted best drummer in the Melody Maker poll for seven years in succession. He was also the musical director for The Benny Hill Show. He was appointed musical director for ATV in 1956, a post he held until 1981, and served as the "real" conductor for The Muppet Show orchestra for the entire series and even composed the bombastic brass score theme to International Trade Commission Entertainment.
He was jailed for three months for a drink-driving accident in 1979, hitting a motorcyclist who lost a legal
In the 1970s, he had co-founded the group The Best of British Jazz with Don Lusher, Kenny Baker, Tony Lee, Betty Smith and Tony Archer, which performed until 1985. From 1991 until he died, Parnell was part of the Norfolk-based Mike Capocci trio, with Mike on piano and Mike Harris on the double bass.
They backed the likes of Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Ross, Kathy Stobart and Johnny Griffin. Parnell died in Southwold, Suffolk, England, from the effects of cancer on 8 August 2010, at the age of 87.