2000
Bill Thom
(1937 - 2010)
Bill started his drumming career with Dunblane City Pipe Band in 1945 but a promising career in that idiom was circumvented when he started attending the dances organised by his dad in the local Victoria Hall where he was captivated by the sound and swing of Scottish and modern ballroom dancing. In 1952, at the age of only 15, he made his first radio broadcast with The Arthur MacLeod Trio to which he had earlier been recruited by Jim MacLeod. In 1957 he was called up to do his National Service with the RAF and found himself amongst professional “big band” musicians. Recognising his potential the RAF sent him for kit drum lessons with Les Thomas in Cardiff, which opened up a whole new world of drumming. In 1960 Bill joined Andrew Rankine’s full time band for a couple of years, after which he left to join a “swing outfit”. In 1968 he joined The Jim Johnstone Band full time then later The John Carmichael Band. During his long career Bill appeared on some 200 LPs.
Bill Thom
(1937 - 2010)
Bill started his drumming career with Dunblane City Pipe Band in 1945 but a promising career in that idiom was circumvented when he started attending the dances organised by his dad in the local Victoria Hall where he was captivated by the sound and swing of Scottish and modern ballroom dancing. In 1952, at the age of only 15, he made his first radio broadcast with The Arthur MacLeod Trio to which he had earlier been recruited by Jim MacLeod. In 1957 he was called up to do his National Service with the RAF and found himself amongst professional “big band” musicians. Recognising his potential the RAF sent him for kit drum lessons with Les Thomas in Cardiff, which opened up a whole new world of drumming. In 1960 Bill joined Andrew Rankine’s full time band for a couple of years, after which he left to join a “swing outfit”. In 1968 he joined The Jim Johnstone Band full time then later The John Carmichael Band. During his long career Bill appeared on some 200 LPs.