Eric Winstone was born on January 1, 1913, in London and died May 2, 1974, in Pagham, Sussex. He was an English big band leader, conductor and composer. He was playing the piano in his spare time from a job as Westminster Gas and Coke Company, in London, that led him to form his first band in 1935. He was a self taught accordion player and started an accordion school and formed an accordion quintet, a swing quintet, and a big band orchestra. During World War II his orchestra entertained the forces and performed at holiday camps after the war. In 1955 a short film of The Eric Winstone Band show was made.

His signature tune was his own composition Stagecoach which he wrote in 1943. It was arranged for brass bands by Norman Richardson and for many years was a popular piece that brass bands played on park engagements and seaside bandstands. On this show it is featured by Harry Mortimer conducting his Men O Brass in 1958.