A DRUMMER who kept the beat at pubs and music venues across the county for more than 20 years has died, aged 75.

John Norman played drums with the John Smith Sound in the 1950s, and played and sang with many other trad, swing and jazz bands in Oxfordshire.

He was well known through Sunday night gigs at the Rose Revived pub at Newbridge.

He also played at The Zodiac and The Back Room at The Bully in Oxford, and The Anchor in Abingdon, with Denny Illet Junior’s Big Band and singer Lillian Boute.

He also once played on a rooftop near Magdalen College for the annual May Day celebration.

The highlights of his career included winning a skiffle competition at a pub in The Elephant and Castle, London – beating Cliff Richard and The Shadows – and supporting rhythm and blues band Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames in Hammersmith.

Born in Richmond, Surrey, in 1934, Mr Norman was the eldest of three children. He was evacuated to Birmingham during the Second World War.

After marrying his first wife, Joan, he moved to Grove, near Wantage, for work. His full-time job was in the motor trade and he went on to become manager of Southmoor Garage.

He met his second wife, Linda Quartermain, while playing with the swing band 42nd Street at The Fox pub in Boars Hill in the summer of 1984.

They moved to Whitecross, Abingdon, in 1986 before marrying in 1990.

John’s life as a performer ended a few years ago as age caught up with him and he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

Linda, 65, said: “John came alive when involved in his music.

“He was an unassuming man with a sharp wit and great sense of humour.

“His gift to us all was his music and he was so proud that he had inspired one grandson to become a very talented young drummer and another a song-writing guitarist.”

Mr Norman leaves three children by his first marriage, and five grandchildren.

He also leaves four stepsons and their twelve children.