A LEGENDARY musician was left moved after family, friends and fans helped mark the dedication of a room to him at Sidmouth’s Kennaway House.

A LEGENDARY musician was left moved after family, friends and fans helped mark the dedication of a room to him at Sidmouth’s Kennaway House.

Ivor Novello Award winner Gordon Langford, 80, was hailed as “the very best” and said he was flattered by the honour when it was celebrated last Thursday night.

In a glittering career of achievements performer, orchestrator, arranger and composer Gordon twice won the European Broadcasting Union’s competition for new brass music and was awarded the Gold Badge of Merit by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.

His orchestrations reached international prominence in a series of Hollywood films including Raiders of the Lost Ark.

“We are celebrating an amazing man,” said Kennaway House Trust vice chairman Richard Hegder.

Friend and fellow musician Chris Gradwell said music students will visit the venue, realise why Gordon’s photograph is on the wall, and aspire to be like him.

“That is the greatest compliment you can pay to him,” said Mr Gradwell, “his music is influenced by the best musicians in the world.

“I can promise you the quality of the person that inspired this room is the very best, Gordon Langford is 100per cent at the top of the tree,” he added.

“One little guidance from him will be the one thing that improves your playing by 200per cent…he really does understand.”

Fresh from their national competition achievement, Sidmouth Town Band, played to the delight of guests and Gordon, then sung his praises.

“I’m very, very moved by this,” Gordon told the Herald, “I’m very flattered.”

“There’s so many nice people in this part of the world and there’s so many good musicians here. Sidmouth Town Band were very good, played nicely in tune and I’m delighted to hear of their success.”