Jon Pertwee

Born on 17 July 1919 in London, Jon Pertwee—best known for his starring role in Doctor Who (1970–1974)—developed an early interest in music during his time at Sherborne School, where he received trumpet lessons from Vernon House. Although his aspirations as a trumpet player were curtailed by school duties, his passion for music persisted throughout his life. In 1964, he appeared on the BBC Radio program Desert Island Discs, selecting a guitar as his luxury item and Ray Charles's "Georgia on My Mind" as the track he would save from the waves. He was the first actor to portray Alfred Doolittle in the West End production of My Fair Lady and played Marcus Lycus in the original West End cast of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. In 1972, he recorded "Who Is The Doctor", a vocal version of the Doctor Who theme, featuring his own narration over the iconic melody. He also collaborated with June Whitfield on the album Wonderful Children's Songs, which featured lighthearted tunes for children, showcasing Jon Pertwee's engaging storytelling through song. In 1984, he released Jon Pertwee and Friends Sing the Beatles, an album featuring Jon Pertwee's renditions of classic Beatles songs, showcasing his musical range and affection for the iconic band. He passed away on 20 May 1996 at the age of 76. In July 2025, a posthumous release collected his musical contributions to Doctor Who, titled Doctor Who: The Jon Pertwee Collection.

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