THE legendary bassist and founder of the band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich (DDDBM&T) has died aged 70.

Trevor Ward-Davies, better known as Dozy, had more than a dozen hits with the band that famously spent more weeks in the charts between 1965 and 1969 than the Beatles.

Salisbury Journal: ​

The band at a record signing at Suttons in February 1966

Growing up in Netheravon in the late 50s he formed a band called Beatnicks – for which he recruited from Salisbury bands Ian Amey (Tich) as lead guitarist and David Harman (Dave Dee) as singer.

After making a big impression on the Salisbury music scene Amey then brought in former schoolmate John Dymond (Beaky) and drummer Michael Wilson (Mick).

Changing their name to Dave Dee and the Bostons they beat a familiar path to many famous bands of the early ’60s by playing on the German club scene including the Star Club in Hamburg.

It was known to be a tough existence, playing long hours, but such was the popularity of the German music scene it would often lead to recognition from talent spotters.

Returning to the UK, the band toured a number of venues on the south coast including a stint at Butlins in Clacton.

It was around this time that Ward-Davies famously acquired his nickname Dozy during a drive back from a gig in Southampton. After buying a chocolate bar for the late night trip home he discarded the chocolate out of the window and attempted to eat the wrapper.

He briefly stopped the tour bus to conduct a short search for his chocolate bar and from thereafter the nickname stuck.

In 1965 the band got their big break under the new management of Alan Howard and Ken Blaikley, who rechristened the band to the now familiar Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich.

It led to a string of hits after shooting to fame with a comical appearance on Ready Steady Go! when Dozy lost three teeth after colliding into a bandmate’s guitar on stage.

Songwriters and managers Ken and Alan were behind many of the outfit’s best songs, including The Legend of Xanadu, the band’s only number one in 1968.

The band started to drift apart by 1969, with Dave Dee leaving for a solo career and Howard and Blaikley moving on to different projects.

Despite this the band kept together as DBMT and continued to tour the UK, led by Dozy and Tich.

Salisbury Journal:

Fans pack out the City Hall in 1966

In 2008, 40 years after Xanadu, the band was honoured with a Blue Plaque at the City Hall.

Paying tribute his former bandmate, Tich told the Journal: “He was a great bassist and a great mate over the years.

“He was loveable, likeable and always had a cheeky smile on his face.”

Trevor Ward-Davies died on Tuesday, January 13, aged 70.

He is survived by his wife Yvonne.