Family of late musician Ross MacManus pay tribute to the much-loved son of Birkenhead

Jan 4 2012 Birkenhead News

THE family of late musician Ross MacManus has paid tribute to a man who “never forgot his Birkenhead roots”.

Mr MacManus, who died before Christmas, was a trumpet player and band singer who became renowned for his work with the Joe Loss Orchestra and later, the music he wrote for the secret lemonade drinker television advert.

Mr MacManus, 84, has five sons, including Declan – better known as singer Elvis Costello – from his first marriage and Ronan, Ruari, Liam and Kieran from his second, who are all musicians.

Wirral genealogist Annette McGinn-Roberts, a cousin of the family, recently accompanied Ronan, on a tour of the parts of Birkenhead his father would have known.

Mr MacManus said: “My dad always used to correct people and say he wasn’t from Liverpool, he was from Birkenhead. He never forgot his roots.

“He always had one foot still in Birkenhead – he never really left it in his mind and he loved the place. We all feel an affinity to Birkenhead.

“When I visited it was great to walk around with Annette and get a feel for where my dad lived and went to school.”

Ross MacManus was born in Conway Street to an Irish family and later lived in Cathcart Street with his parents Patrick and Mabel Josephine McManus.

He attended St Laurence’s RC School, where he was a member of the choir and won a scholarship to St Anselm’s College.

He moved to London in the 1950s as his music career progressed and played jazz with saxophonist Ronnie Ross before Joe Loss invited him to join his band.

Mr MacManus said: “He had a great sense of humour, an often silly sense of humour, and he loved stories and that tradition of story-telling.

“He saw every side of the business, from performing in working men’s clubs to being on television and he continued to be involved in music through his sons.

“He still had a lot to offer and Declan would still be taking advice from Dad even when he had his own success.

“He was a loving man and a fantastic dad.”

Ronan would like to hear from anyone who remembers Ross in his Birkenhead days. E-mail newsdesk@wirralnews.co.uk or write to Wirral News, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L69 3EB and we will pass your correspondence on.