Merseybeat legend and ‘big voice’ in Liverpool’s music scene dies

“A big voice of music has gone from Liverpool. A rare player, recognisable from just his sound”

14:58, 03 May 2026Updated 15:01, 03 May 2026

Merseybeat drummer Lou Rosenthal (Image: Facebook)

A Merseybeat legend and “big voice” in Liverpool’s music scene has died at the age of 73. Lou Rosenthal started playing drums from a young age for bands in Southport before becoming a member of the rock band Export.

Export rose to fame in Liverpool’s rock scene in the 1970s, with a line-up that included Lou on drums, Harry Shaw, Steve Morris, and Chris Alderman. The band released albums such as Contraband and Living In Fear Of The Private Eye and toured with groups like Slade before splitting up in the mid-80s. After this, Lou worked at Parr Street Studios.

Following Lou’s death on Friday, May 1, tributes have been shared, highlighting the drummer’s “wicked sense of humour”. Liverpool musician Tony O’Keefe said Lou had been a big influence on him in his early years.

He told the ECHO: “My abiding memory [of Lou] is of my first encounters with Export in full flight at the Star and Garter pub on Lime Street.

“It was like seeing Led Zeppelin in your local. Seeing Lou rock out with some amazing playing on his small Ludwig kit up close was a big influence on me.

Lou Rosenthal [second left] died on Friday May 1(Image: Neil Pugh)

Tony added: “Years later he was a long-standing member of The Merseybeats and toured with them for years.

“My band, The Shakers, a resident Merseybeat group at the Cavern Club, often shared a bill with them at 60s weekends around the country.

“Lou had a wicked sense of humour and often took the mickey out of every situation.”

Tributes were also paid to the drummer on Facebook, with former Icicle Works frontman Ian McNabb writing: “A beautiful man and a fine musician.

Tony O’Keeffe shared fond memories of sharing the stage with Lou(Image: Supplied/Tony O’Keeffe)

“I first became aware of his work when I used to go and watch Export play in the city centre in the seventies.

He added: “Export was a real band who wrote songs and made records – we were awestruck.

“I later got to know Lou and enjoyed many conversations with him in Parr St where he would occasionally man the reception desk.”

Another Facebook user, Terry Texteltezteh Sterling, posted: “So sad to hear that we lost Lou Rosenthal as we were setting up for last night’s gig.

“A big voice of music has gone from Liverpool. A rare player, recognisable from just his sound. And a very sharp wit.”