Career
Born in Wilmslow in 1923, Lawrence was a talented trumpet player during World World War World War II He wrote and arranged music He was based in Cairo during the war years, playing and arranging for the Royal Air Force service bands. After he left the armed forces, he played with some of the leading British dance bands of the 1940s, finally being invited to join the British Broadcasting Corporation Northern Dance Orchestra in 1953.
He stayed with this band for sixteen years playing alongside fellow trumpet player Stan Hibbert.
Early concerts at the Mersey Hotel in Manchester were a success, and larger venues were found to play in as the reputation of his band grew. Yorkshire Television gave the Syd Lawrence Orchestra a regular spot on the comedy show Sez Les.
As the music became more popular, Lawrence and his band started touring around the United Kingdom, which they did with great success for many years. Several records were made along with radio and television appearances on variety shows.
He appeared with his band on 3-2-1 and also occasionally was a vocalist.
Lawrence retired from touring in 1994 and died of an aneurysm in 1998. Following his death, the Syd Lawrence Band continued on and still tours. The orchestra has been led by Brian Pendleton, and presently by Chris Dean.
