Trivia

One of the great drummers, on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ran the "Muppet Orchestra" for the TV series. This also included such British big band greats as Kenny Baker and Don Lusher.

Nephew of Val Parnell and grandson of ventriloquist Fred Russell.

Leads a trio which performs weekly at "The Green Man" public house at Rackheath, Norwich, England, in the county to which he has retired. (December 2003)

Father of R.J. Parnell & Will Parnell.

Father-in-law of Sorel Johnson.

His uncle was the theatrical impresario Val Parnell.

With the band of Ted Heath he also sang, displaying an engaging voice and an attractive stage personality.

During his early days with the Heath band Parnell had an image of gum-chewing showman drummer, an image that in fact concealed a skilful, swinging and often-underrated artist.

From 1991 until he died, Parnell was part of the Norfolk-based Mike Capocci Trio, with Capocci on piano and Mike Harris on the double bass. They backed saxophonists Johnny Griffin, Ronnie Ross, and Kathy Stobart.

He was appointed as the musical director for ATV in 1956,[2] a post he held until 1981, and was the "real" conductor for The Muppet Show orchestra for the series entire run and composed the score theme to ITC Entertainment.

Parnell had three sons and two daughters (including Ric Parnell who played the drummer Mick Shrimpton in the film This Is Spinal Tap).

In the late 70s, after two decades in television, Parnell returned to the UK jazz scene.

During his military service in the 1940s he became a member of Buddy Featherstonhaugh's Radio Rhythm Club Sextet and played drums with Vic Lewis and other servicemen who were keen on jazz.

Leaving Ted Heath after seven years, Parnell became musical director of ATV.

In the 1970s, he had co-founded the group The Best of British Jazz with Kenny Baker, Don Lusher, Betty Smith, Tony Lee, and Tony Archer, which performed until 1985.

During the 1940s and 1950s, he was voted best drummer in the Melody Maker poll for seven years in succession.

The Lewis-Parnell band played in clubs and also made a number of theatrical appearances. Following a minor disagreement over billing, Vic Lewis took over sole leadership of the band while Parnell joined Ted Heath, where he became one of the band's most popular figures.

He was also the musical director for The Benny Hill Show.

Throughout the 1960s, Parnell directed the pit orchestra for Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

In 1994, he took over as the leader of the London Big Band, ( 'the largest band in Britain'), which comprised some of Britain's leading jazz musicians.

He was a regular judge on the ATV talent show New Faces.

His later work, with the need for an image no longer necessary, reveals his subtle and propulsive playing.

From 1944 to 1946 Parnell recorded with Lewis, and the Lewis-Parnell Jazzmen's version of "Ugly Child". It sold extremely well (50, 000 78 rpm discs would probably have made it a hit had there been such a thing as a hit parade in those days).

He composed many television themes, including Love Story (for which he won the Harriet Cohen Award), Father Brown, The Golden Shot and Family Fortunes.

Was a gifted amateur photographer.