Ken Mackintosh

Kenneth Victor Mackintosh (4 August 1919 – 22 November 2005) was an English saxophonist, composer and bandleader. He accompanied singers such as Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey and Matt Monro.

Mackintosh also wrote his own music, such as "The Creep" (written under the pseudonym Andy Burton, with Brian Fahey). He had three entries in the UK Singles Chart between 1954 and 1960, with "The Creep" being his highest placed hit record, reaching No. 10 in January 1954. Among his fans was the Queen Mother, for whom he played twice at Windsor Castle. Mackintosh also dedicated a great deal of his time to helping local musicians. During the late 1980s, Mackintosh would hold sax quintet practise evenings at his house on Streatham Common, as well as holding big band practice nights at the church hall next to his favourite pub, The Pied Bull. Towards the end of his life he was awarded the Freedom of the City of London. Until the months before his death, he was still occasionally playing and leading a local orchestra.

Personal life and death In 1944, Mackintosh married Elsie Burton; the couple had a son and daughter. Elsie died in 1986, predeceasing her husband. Mackintosh was an "enthusiastic radio ham", and restored vintage cars with the skills he had learnt during the war in the Royal Army Service Corps machine workshops.

Mackintosh died in Mitcham, Surrey, in November 2005, aged 86.