Ian Whitcomb, July 10, 1941 – April 19, 2020

British singer-songwriter and author Ian Whitcomb, a long-time resident of Altadena, has died. He was 78.

Ian became a founding member of the band Bluesville while studying in Dublin in 1963. The group recorded “the Sporting Life” which peaked at 100.

Although the Sporting Life failed to break into the Top 40, his second song caught fire.

“You Turn Me On,” broke the Top 10 and reached No. 8. In an effort to capitalize on the success of the song, Whitcomb went to America to appear on such television programs as “Shindig, Hollywood A Go-Go” and “American Bandstand.”

He played the Hollywood Bowl with The Beach Boys in 1965 and then toured with The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs.

“N-E-R-V-O-U-S!”, Whitcomb’s next release, reached No. 59 in Billboard.

Ian’s music was included on the soundtracks of several films, including Peter Bogdanovich’s romantic drama “The Cat’s Meow,” and he also appeared as an actor in several films and television shows.

He produced Mae West’s album “Great Balls of Fire,” and wrote several books on popular music, including “After the Ball.” He also hosted a radio show, which featured an eclectic mix of American and British popular songs.

His recreation of the music played aboard The Titanic won Grammy awards for packaging and a nomination for the liner notes, which he wrote.

Ian loved to perform and was a true artist. He played the accordion as well as ukulele, at music festivals throughout America, often with his ragtime band, The Bungalow Boys, as well as with a larger orchestra.

He also wrote 23 books and appeared as Grand Marshal in the 24th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade on November 19, 1999.

From November 2007, Whitcomb had an internet radio program on Wednesday evenings and later hosted the Ian Whitcomb Show on XM satellite radio.