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Rugby's 'Mr Music' Honored with Park Plaque
28 Oct
Summary
- A plaque will be unveiled for Rugby musician Tom Ward.
- Ward founded the town's RAG Festival and Rugby Theatre.
- His musical legacy is celebrated in Whitehall Rec park.
A plaque celebrating Rugby musician Tom Ward, widely known as "Mr Music," is set to be unveiled on October 28th in Whitehall Rec park. Ward, born in 1913, was a founding member of the Rugby Theatre and established the town's RAG (Raise and Give) Festival, which continues to this day.
He dedicated four decades to performing big-band dance music across Warwickshire and the West Midlands. Ward's musical journey began at Lawrence Sheriff School, where he formed his first band at 16, despite no prior musical background in his family. He also worked as an apprentice at British Thompson-Houston.
His talents included playing various instruments, though he was most renowned for his saxophone work. Ward's music reached a national audience when he performed on a BBC radio program in 1947. His son, Keith Ward, has championed this memorial for the past decade, recognizing his father's profound impact on Rugby.
Tom Ward's extensive contributions, including founding the RAG Festival and playing numerous events, have left a lasting legacy. The current Lawrence Sheriff School band will perform at the unveiling ceremony, paying tribute to the musician who passed away in 1977.
