Daniel Joseph Anthony 'Tony' Meehan, (March 2, 1943 – November 28, 2005), was one of the founder members of the British group The Shadows, along with Jet Harris, Hank B. Marvin and Bruce Welch. He played drums on all the early Cliff Richard and The Shadows hits and also played on the early hits the Shadows had as an instrumental group.

Tony Meehan was born at New End Hospital, New End, Hampstead, North London, England. He was only ten years old when he became interested in playing the drums. By the time he was 13, Meehan had his first job with a band playing in a dance hall at Willesden, London. He also played timpani with the London Youth Orchestra. When he was fifteen, Meehan was set on becoming a lawyer and did not want to releave school for another three years but he was offered a job at £25 per week in a touring show. He asked for and was given six months holiday. The tour never materialised but he did not go back to school. Unlike the other members of the Shadows he was never short of work, playing cabaret at places like Churchill's and the Stork Club. He also played with Jet Harris in The Vipers.

Meehan left the Shadows in October 1961 and went to work as an arranger/producer and occasional session drummer for Joe Meek (John Leyton, Michael Cox: "Young Only Once", Andy Cavell) and from early 1962 on at Decca Records. He subsequently teamed up again with Jet Harris (who had also left the Shadows and moved to Decca) and as a duo they had great success with Harris playing guitar and Meehan on drums, notably on the track, 'Diamonds' which also included Jimmy Page on acoustic rhythm guitar. 'Diamonds' was a number one hit in the UK.

Meehan briefly played with The Shadows again some years later when Brian Bennett was hospitalised. At one point, John Rostill was in hospital at the same time, and The Shadows were playing live with Brian Locking on bass and Tony Meehan on drums.

On November 29 2005 BBC News quoted Bruce Welch as saying that Meehan had died the previous day as a result of head injuries following a fall. Tony Meehan died at St Mary's Hospital South Wharf Road, Paddington, West London.

External links

• BBC News: The Shadows founder member dies

• http://www.btinternet.com/~shadows_archive/shadows/Tony/tony.htm

• http://www.one-of.com/ Tony Meehan's official memorial page