The harmonica has often been regarded as a novelty instrument, but it became highly prized in British pop music following the success of Frank Ifield’s 1962 recording of I Remember You. The memorable harmonica phrase was performed by Harry Pitch, who has died aged 90. Pitch’s distinctive sound graced numerous pop records of the 1960s, as well as film music, commercials and even classical music concerts. Probably the most widely recognised of his performances was the theme tune for the long-running television series Last of the Summer Wine.
He was born in north London, one of seven children of Israel Pitch, a Polish immigrant garment worker and his wife, Annie Tinner. The family name had been inadvertently created by an immigration official who mistranscribed the original Polish name, Picz.
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