KNOWN to many through 40 years of live music, local musician Tim Mycroft passed away on New Year’s Day.

Tim, 61, was in numerous bands throughout his life providing vocals, guitar and piano.

His earliest gigs were at the 45 Club on Poole Hill in Bournemouth in the 1960s with a band called The Freewheelers.

Pounding out Bob Dylan songs on a Hammond organ, Tim’s notoriety was such that he made a brief appearance in the DA Pennebaker movie about Dylan called Don’t Look Back.

When he was still 17, Tim went on tour with Thursdays Child playing at the Star Club in Hamburg among other venues.

The band later became known as The Gun and had a hit with Race With the Devil.

Tim also had a Top of the Pops appearance as Sounds Nice with Love at First Sight, a cover of the banned Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin song Je T’aime, but without the heavy breathing.

When Tim returned to Dorset he was a founder member of Everyman, a very influential local band.

He also toured the USSR with the OK Band.

Since then he played with many bands in the Bournemouth, Poole and Blandford area, including The Impossible Extras, Rhythm Method and The Barrelhouse Band with the late Paul Hart.

Until recently he was still playing in Poole with Rex and the Recliners.

Tim’s ex-wife Lyn Mycroft fondly remembers his passion for music: “He used to be in so many bands at the same time.

“Sometimes at the Larmer Tree festival he would be in the opening band, the closing band and maybe one in between.”

* Tim Mycroft’s funeral will be held at Poole crematorium on Wednesday at 10.30am.