Fife musician Bobby More

A LOVED and respected Scottish country musician has passed away at the age of 72.

Bobby More, of Kirkcaldy, died this week after a long illness.

The accordionist and band leader was a pioneer in Scottish country dance music during the 1950s and 1960s and helped the growth of the genre during that era.

Bobby began playing piano key accordion when he was just seven years old and formed Bobby More and his Band at the age of 16.

Over the decades, his music has been heard by countless fans, regularly broadcast on radio, featuring in nine albums in his More Than Welcome series and in performances at ceilidhs, dances, variety shows, parties and social gatherings.

It is believed Bobby and his band provided the music for more than 1,000 weddings throughout Scotland.

The for mer coach builder, who worked at W A lexander in Kirkcaldy until he became a full-time professional musician in 1991, also composed music and produced a manuscript of his compilations in 2004.

He also produced variety shows at the A dam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy, and throughout the UK, and toured several times in Czechoslovakia as part of a cultural exchange programme with a Scottish country dance troop from Bowhill.

B o b by More and his Band celebrated 50 years at a special concert in the Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, six years ago, when he was reunited with many former band members.

His musical skills have been handed on to the next generation, through his teaching of accordion to aspiring players.

Bobby only stopped playing with his band two years ago, due to his ailing health

Outside music, the avid Raith Rovers fan was a skilled model maker and was president of Lochore Model Boat Club.

He was also passionate about Scottish and local history and was a past master of (Masonic) Lodge 468, Oswald, of Dunnikier, Kirkcaldy.

Bobby leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Irene, their three sons Robert, Kenneth and A lisdair, daughters-in-law, Heather, Karen and Karen and grandchildren Kimberley, Samantha, Finlay, Olivia and Lucas.

His funeral will take place tomorrow at Torbain Parish Church, Kirkcaldy.