Ian Anderson, UK’s most famous accordionist, aged 79

Ian Anderson, one of the UK’s accordionists, has died aged 79.

His command of the instrument and his hugely varied taste in music meant that he enjoyed a career which spanned over 60 years.

Born in 1939 in the village of Birnam by Dunkeld, Ian attended the Royal School of Dunkeld. He was taught music by the famous Perth impresario Bill Wilkie from the age of 12, then he began teaching when he turned 17.

Ian taught at the Wilkie School of Music for 62 years, which brought him into contact with foremost hundreds of students including Peter Bruce, Robert Black, Simon Howie and many more.

His knowledge of music theory and the structure behind the tunes was always an element that Ian drove home to his pupils.

Ian met Johanna in 1968, when she was one of his accordion pupils. They married in 1970 and had four children – Iain, Calum, Joanne and Gemma – and five grandchildren.

After a two-year stint in national service from 1959, he began playing in various local dance bands. He formed his first trio with local musicians Joan Blue and Billy Colburn which proved to be a big success. This led to decades of gigs, with a range of local musicians, in dance halls, clubs, hotel ballrooms and recording studios.

Ian played on several recordings over the years, including the famous Bill Wilkie Orchestra vinyl The Music of Forty Hands. Later, Ian produced two CD recordings of himself playing solo, which showcased his varied repertoire and legendary technique.

Ian died peacefully at Cornhill hospice on November 27 2018. His family were at his side.

Ian had a 60-year career in music.