Unofficial Lonnie Donegan Fans Forum

Welcome to the unofficial forum for Lonnie Donegan.

We are a new site ready for suggestions. Please register and help to make this a successful forum.

Lonnie Dongean was the King of Skiffle. In the 1950s he was singing and playing Guitar and Banjo for Chris Barber's Jazzband. During intervals he began to play using washboard, tea-chests and spanish guitars. He referred to this music as "Skiffle". A term previously used in New Orleans for a type of msuic using improvised instruments. It is was believed to mean "Rent party".

This music proved very popular with audiences. In July 1954 he recored a version of Rock Island Line with Chris Barber's Jazzband. The song went on to be a hit in both the UK and US in 1956.

The band became known as Lonnie Donegan's Skiffle Group and continued to release hit records throughout the 50s. Although declining during the 60s, he remained popular and is said to have influenced many of the musicans coming through in the 60s. Artists influence by him include John Lennon,Paul McCartney. In fact his influence help spawn a generation of musicians who would go on to make British Music such a success.

In 1998 he performed a live Skiffle Concert with Van Morrison and Chris Barber in Belfast. A guest appearance was also made by his friend Dr John. This was release as a live album in 2000. This subsequently led to him playing and Glastonbury and a revival in his popular. This was also the year he was awarded his MBE.

He died while touring in 2002, but his memory lives on through tribute bands. Including one with his son Peter Donegan, which was formed following a musical based on Lonnie music called Lonnie D.

Please visit our links page to find links to more thorough biographies. It is hoped with your input we can develop this into an excellent tribute to the man.