'Much loved dad' whose music inspired The Beatles dies aged 88

George Dixon was a prominent member of the Black music scene for over 60 years and performed in many bands

'Much loved dad' whose music inspired The Beatles dies aged 88

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A 'much loved dad' who made an impact on the Black music scene in Liverpool has died aged 88.

George Dixon, died on December 18, 2023, and was described by his family as a "much loved and devoted dad". The 88-year who was still singing a year before his death, became a prominent member of the black music scene in the 60s.

His daughter Natalie Dixon told the Liverpool ECHO: "My favourite memory of my dad is always going out to town, going down Great Charlotte Street watching him sing and making everyone happy. With his love of music he became a prominent member of the history of Black music in the 1960s.

"He was in a few bands; The Casuals, the Incrowd and Just Us to name a few. These acts could be found performing at venues including The Whitehouse, the Locarno and the Masonic."

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The dad, from Netherley, established a great following in the music industry and would often be watched by music greats such as Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Cilla Black.

Natalie, 59, added: "Dad performed in variety contests beating Cilla Black in 1955 (at the Locarno on West Derby Road) winning Pontins with The Casuals and appearing on Hughie Green's Opportunity Knocks in the 1960s".

George was born in Liverpool on December 5, 1935 a birth date he shares with his youngest child, George. The family lived off Brownlow Hill at the time before moving to China Town, then Liverpool 8, before settling in Netherley.

He was the son of Rose and John Dixon and the youngest of three children - his sisters were Edie and Peggy. He was described as a "family man, who will be deeply missed" and also raised his nephews and niece David, Robert and Yvonne following the death of their mum Peggy in 1969.

He attended Pleasant Street Primary then St James Secondary School and loved sports including boxing, football and swimming. He served two years National service from 1956 to 1958.

Reminiscing about her dad Natalie said he was a "fussy eater" but after serving in the army he said it gave him a "a cast iron stomach, as you either ate or starved. Eating won".

Natalie added: "He liked to be around people, especially artistic people. He took a lot of guidance from various friends and personalities especially Odie Taylor who helped him master the bass guitar. He also played keyboards and the trumpet, but the guitar was his favourite. Mum bought him his first guitar".

George enjoyed travelling through Europe with the Incrowd and he used to fondly reminisce about his time with the band. However his family took precedence and for a time he put his music on hold.

After they moved to Netherley he later took up the position of compare/MC in the local Royal British Legion Club. He would perform with resident musicians and his new self-taught instrument, the trumpet.

George's eldest child Vanessa, 60, said: "My favourite memories were on holiday with my kids (his grandkids) and we would go swimming. He taught all the kids to swim.

"We used to go on days out from our street and he would bring the street with him in the car. He would pile up the kids to go to New Brighton, Southport or wherever, it was great.

"A convoy of vehicles would regularly leave the estate with gangs of children. All heading off with the knowledge they soon would be swimmers. They were happy days.

"I’d be playing out and say I’m with my friends and he would say 'bring them too'. He used to squash us all in the car, there were even kids in the boot".

His son George, 54, joked about going on a family holiday and taking his friend Warren, he said: "My best memory was getting sneaked into Butlins as a kid in the back of the car. I remember saying how long have we got to be under the blanket for?

"We had to keep quiet, then we would be let through. It was escapism there, it was superb because something for free is always good.

"There were a couple of times I’ve bunked in and once we were in it was OK. The only thing you had to hide when they came around to clean the chalets and we had to be up and out hiding or playing somewhere”.

George, albeit a family man, never stopped loving music and spoke fondly of his first gig in a letter to a magazine, written over 30 years ago.

George said: "In those days our first gig, if you can call it that, was at The Whitehouse. I think we got four pounds, but what a place it was.

"I think all the bands in Liverpool used to come and watch us play. Around that time there were a couple of guys who used to sit and listen on a Monday, always in black and always very quiet.

"One of the lads said it was a new band called the Beatles. Wally (a fellow band member) said we stand on them, to us they were a three chord wonder.

"I said to Wally go and see what they are up to. He came back and said "They were nothing and they couldn't play a song, they could only sing and back themselves with three chords”

There are many memories to George's musical career around Liverpool, including a brick on a wall in Mathew Street which is inscribed with his band 'Just Us' which he played in from 1971-1976.

Natalie added: "In Great Charlotte Street he has a poster up in Ruby Blues of the Incrowd. He loved showing that off. When you walked with him in town or anywhere he was as proud of us as we were of him. Everywhere you walked in it would be like "here is the legend", especially in his later years. When covid came in and he stopped singing, it just crushed him".

His nephew Robert recalls George getting him to harmonise, as a child, while washing the dishes with his brother David. He said: “He sang and then told us to repeat what he said. I was amazed and from that day I knew I wanted to sing. I owe George everything that I’ve ever done in music”.

Singer and performer Ramon Sugar Deen, formerly of Liverpool band the Chants, said: "On many occasions Paul McCartney and John Lennon would call into the White House pub and listen to George and fellow musicians performing. I would ask John and Paul would they like to come down into the lounge and have our jam session with George and the musicians.

"Paul seemed keen but John would say, "no man we're cool, we're just digging the sound you know". It was obvious they were educating themselves on how to perform blues soul and jazz chords.

"With the passing of several musicians from the Incrowd group George decided to perform solo, and was a big hit in most venues that he performed at performing all the classics and getting standing ovations and was in demand by most venues. Unfortunately like most Black talented Liverpool musicians George could not break into mainstream music. Most British record companies were not interested in British black born musicians, however George along with the Incrowd did record and release some records".

George leaves behind three children Vanessa, Natalie and George, four grandchildren, Natasha, Yasmin, Callum and Scarlett and two great grandchildren Leon and Rowan.

His funeral will take place on Friday January 12, at St Peter's Church, Woolton, L25 5JF at 12.30 then onto Springwood Crematorium's Rosemary Chapel at 2pm. Family flowers only.

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