Carey Blyton was a British composer and writer best known for his song "Bananas in Pyjamas" - which later became the theme tune for an Australian children's television series - and for his work on Doctor Who.
11 Facts About Carey Blyton
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Carey Blyton was noted for his use of primitive musical instruments, using Crumhorns to depict the Silurians in Doctor Who and the Silurians, and serpents and ophicleides in Revenge of the Cybermen.
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Carey Blyton's career was prolific, and he died in Suffolk, aged 70.
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Carey Blyton was born in Beckenham, Kent on 14 March 1932.
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Carey Blyton was the second child and only son of Hanly and Floss Blyton, and had an elder sister, Yvonne.
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Carey Blyton developed polio at age sixteen, and during his recovery, he was taught piano as a pastime.
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Carey Blyton studied harmony, counterpoint, orchestration and musical history with Dr William Lovelock, piano with Joan Barker, harpsichord with Valda Aveling, and viola with Alison Milne.
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Carey Blyton was primarily a miniaturist, composing mainly songs, chamber music and short orchestral scores.
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Carey Blyton's works include a series of guitar pieces for the Italian guitarist, Angelo Gilardino, published by Edizioni Berben, and about a dozen works for the London Saxophone Quartet, mainly involving wind instruments and works reflecting his life-long interest in the music and art of the East - particularly Japan -.
10.
Carey Blyton was interested in writing, as shown in various commissions from the BBC for schools cantatas in the series Music Workshop, the incidental music for three Dr Who serials, the Victorian mini-melodramas, and a number of books for children, including Bananas in Pyjamas: a book of nonsense songs and poems.
11.
Carey Blyton enjoyed something of an 'Indian Summer' of creativity in his last years, though generally, he was prolific throughout his life.