Les Reed Orchestra: The Sound of British Light Music

The Les Reed Orchestra was a prolific British ensemble that defined the lush, melodic sound of light music and easy listening for decades. Led by the gifted arranger, composer, and conductor Les Reed, the orchestra became a fixture of the UK charts and radio, known for its sophisticated instrumental versions of popular songs and original compositions.

Early career

Leslie Reed was born in 1935 in Woking, Surrey, and began his musical journey as a pianist in jazz and dance bands. His professional breakthrough came in the early 1960s when he joined the music publisher Mills Music as a staff arranger and songwriter. This pivotal role placed him at the heart of the British music industry, where he quickly built a reputation for his versatile and commercial musical touch.

Breakthrough

The Les Reed Orchestra's commercial peak arrived in the mid-to-late 1960s, fueled by Reed's own songwriting success for other artists. His massive hits as a co-writer, including "The Last Waltz" for Engelbert Humperdinck and "Delilah" for Tom Jones, brought immense attention to his orchestral work. The orchestra itself scored a major instrumental hit in 1967 with "Man of Action," which showcased its dynamic, brass-driven style.

Key tracks

Man of Action — This powerful, theme-like instrumental became the orchestra's signature tune and a top 40 UK hit.

The Last Waltz — The orchestra's beautiful rendition of Reed's own classic composition became a standard of their repertoire.

Girl from Tiger Bay — Another successful single that highlighted the ensemble's talent for evocative, cinematic arrangements.

Kinky — A later hit from 1969, this track demonstrated the orchestra's ability to adapt to contemporary pop rhythms.

The Les Reed Orchestra maintained a consistent output through the 1970s, releasing numerous albums on labels like Columbia and releasing music through the KPM library music house. Their work in library music meant their sophisticated cues were heard widely in television and film, further cementing their influence. Reed's collaborations spanned the industry, from arranging for David Bowie's early single "The Laughing Gnome" to conducting for countless vocalists in the studio.

Fans of the Les Reed Orchestra's elegant British sound also enjoy the work of similar light music maestros. Ron Goodwin was another master of film and popular orchestration. James Last shared a similar approach to creating vibrant, audience-pleasing instrumental albums. Manuel and the Music of the Mountains offered a parallel journey into lush, romantic orchestral landscapes. Frank Chacksfield pioneered the sophisticated easy listening genre that the Les Reed Orchestra so successfully continued.

The timeless sound of the Les Reed Orchestra remains in regular rotation on dedicated easy listening and classic pop radio stations. It is a staple on stations specializing in the light music and beautiful music formats, where its polished arrangements provide a perfect backdrop for listeners.

You can hear the elegant music of the Les Reed Orchestra on the light music and classic pop radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to our curated stations to rediscover the sophisticated instrumental work of this definitive British orchestra.