He was a British conductor and composer. He was responsible for arranging many hit pop records in the 1960s and 1970s.
He became a much sought-after arranger in the 1960s and 1970s, working with Engelbert Humperdinck, Petula Clark, Mary Hopkin, Clodagh Rodgers, Vince Hill, Jonathan King, Julie Rogers, Joe Dassin, Xil Ríos, Camilo Sesto and many more.
Johnny Arthey started his career as a pianist with a military orchestra during his National Service.
Through his string arrangements, added to Jamaican recordings, he helped reggae artists such as The Pioneers trying to force a breakthrough on the British market.
He wrote the orchestration to hit records such as "Eloise" by Barry Ryan, "Young, Gifted and Black" by Bob and Marcia, and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" by Desmond Dekker.