Tony Meehan

Daniel Joseph Anthony Meehan (2 March 1943 – 28 November 2005[1]) was a founder member of the British group the Drifters with Jet Harris, Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch, which evolved into the Shadows.

At the end of 1958 Meehan was asked by Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch to join the Drifters in preparation for a tour with Cliff Richard.

[3] Meehan left the Shadows in October 1961 to work as an arranger/producer and session drummer for Joe Meek (John Leyton, Michael Cox: "Young Only Once", Andy Cavell) and from early 1962 at Decca Records.

[4] He teamed again with Harris (who had also left the Shadows and moved to Decca) and as a duo had success with the instrumental "Diamonds" which also included Jimmy Page on acoustic rhythm guitar.

On 29 November 2005, BBC News quoted Bruce Welch as saying that Meehan had died the previous day, as a result of head injuries, following a fall down the main staircase at his London flat in Maida Vale.

[6] As the drummer with the Shadows, Tony Meehan helped to lay the foundations for British rock’n’roll, both backing Cliff Richard and on a long string of instrumental hits recorded under the group's own name.

– Shadows drummer who became an A&R man for Decca – The Times (Obituaries), 30 November 2005.At his death, Meehan had been twice married and had seven children, including pop singer Siobhan de Maré.