He rocked 'til very end! Zimmers star Alfie Carretta passes away

Published: 02 July, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

ARCHWAY’S very own singing superstar, Alfie Carretta, has died at the grand old age of 93.

Alfie, who was the frontman with pensioners’ rock band the Zimmers, had lung cancer and died in a hospice on Tuesday night.  

His nephew, taxi driver Paul Tully, said: “We expect a lot of friends and fans will want to attend the funeral. He never married but he’s got dozens of nephews and nieces who all adored him.”   

Alfie gave an exclusive interview to the Tribune earlier this year ago saying he knew he was  dying but that he’d had “wonderful life”.

Talking from his bed at the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead, Alfie said that he hoped that his experiences as an OAP superstar would be an inspiration to all. 

“Who said life begins at 40?” he said. “For me life began at 90.”

Three years ago Alfie, a retired export manager, was just a normal single pensioner whose life revolved mainly around the Essex Road Mecca bingo hall and the friends he’d made there over 30 years.

Then Mecca decided to close the hall down and Alfie launched a campaign to save it.

The campaign failed but Alfie was discovered by BBC producer Tim Samuels, who was making a film about OAPs who fight back.

Since then the Zimmers have been an international sensation with several singles, an album, and regular tours. Born in Clerkenwell in 1917, Alfie was the phenomenal voice behind the group’s hit cover version of The Who’s My Generation. He said: “How many people can say that in their 90s they had a hit record, toured the world, and met American film star George Clooney?”

Co-singer Dolores Murray, 67, said: “We had a lovely talk a week ago and he was very upbeat. I’m going to really miss him.” 

David Palmer, who organised the Zimmers’ tours, said that Alfie was a natural entertainer. 

“He came to singing and performing late in life when most  people would have thought of a quiet retirement.”

Lib Dem politician Bridget Fox said Alfie was involved in local issues including the battle to save the Essex Road Post office.

“He always wanted to get involved in issues”, she added.

Alfie’s funeral will be on Tuesday, July 13 at Golders Green crematorium at 1pm. All are invited.