The Yetties were one of the most popular English folk music groups from the 1960s through to the present day. Starting in folk clubs and festivals, they took their music to a wider audience in theatres and concert halls. Comic songs and singalongs were added to their repertoire of traditional folk songs and tunes, especially from their home county of Dorset. Their lead musician, on accordion, was Pete Shutler, who has died aged 68 of cancer.
Pete, backed by Mac McCulloch on guitar, took the lead on the band's instrumental pieces, while the third member of the trio, Bonny Sartin, led the songs. In their early days Bob Common, who left the group in 1979, played percussion and sang, and for a while in the 80s they were joined by Roger Trim on fiddle. It was Pete's accordion that led Barwick Green, the theme tune for the BBC Radio 4 series, The Archers; the Yetties' version has introduced the Sunday morning omnibus edition for almost 40 years.
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