Leeson, Trevor – Trevor keeps on rocking

Trevor Leeson (b1943)

BORN in Great Gonerby, Trevor Thomas Leeson is one of Grantham’s best known musicians.

Educated at Spittlegate School and King’s School, Trevor started his musical career in 1958, as a member of skiffle band The Rebels.

He went on to rock ’n’ roll and toured American Army bases in France with The Pontiacs, with whom he also played the 2I’s coffee bar in Soho’s Old Compton Street.

During this time turned down a job as backing guitarist for Paul Raven, who eventually became Gary Glitter.

He joined Sleaford-based band Dawn and the Dee-Jays, during which time they released a single on RCA written by him, and featured session musicians Big Jim Sullivan (later Tom Jones’ guitarist) and the legendary Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin).

His next group was Grantham’s Gingerbread, in which he was bass guitarist, with the band’s songs regularly being played on Radio 1.

After two seasons at the Isle of Man’s Summerland, Trevor went to St Hellier, Jersey and worked alongside the Merseybeats. When a vacancy in the Liverpool-based group came up, he was invited to fill it.

It proved to be fortuitous, as it meant he cancelled his third season booking at Summerland – which was engulfed by a major fire with more than 50 deaths.

After two years, he embarked on a solo career and from 1974 has worked with many stars including Ken Dodd, and the Electric Light Orchestra.

 

His day job was in the housing department of SKDC but retired more than a decade ago.

But on the music front, Trevor is still going strong – and has absolutely no intention of retiring.