Tommy Vance was an English actor and DJ, best known for his work on “The Friday Rock Show,” “Slade in Flame,” and “Pressure.” He had a significant impact on the music industry by promoting hard rock and heavy metal on British national radio.
Personal and Family Life
Tommy Vance was born Richard Anthony Crispian Francis Prue Hope-West on July 11, 1940, in Eynsham, Oxfordshire, England. Throughout his life, he was married three times, to Stella Bursa, Susan Hanson, and Fern, though all three marriages ended in divorce.
Career Highlights
While working as a DJ in Seattle, Vance adopted the stage name after standing in for another DJ. He became the first voice heard at Wembley Stadium during the Live Aid concert in 1985, where he also introduced legendary rock band The Who. Vance was crucial in bringing rock music to a wider audience through his influential radio shows.
Death and Legacy
Tommy Vance passed away on March 6, 2005, in Kent, England, due to complications from a stroke. His contributions to music through radio broadcasting left a lasting legacy, influencing generations of rock fans and artists.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure | 1976-11-19 | Radio DJ |
| Live Aid | 1985-07-13 | Self |
| More Bad News | 1988-02-27 | Himself |
| Slade in Flame | 1975-02-13 | Ricky Storm |
| The Story of the Kinks | 1985-01-01 | Narrator |
| Rock Milestones: Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon | 2007-01-01 | Self |
| Top of the Pops | 1964-01-01 | Self – Presenter |
| The Comic Strip Presents… | 1982-11-02 | Concert Compere |
| Classic Albums | 1997-04-14 | Self |
| Never Mind the Buzzcocks | 1996-11-12 |