Robert Harper, better known as Bobby Ball, and Thomas Derbyshire, commonly referred to as Tommy Cannon, were both born in Oldham, England. Their paths crossed in the early 1960s while working as welders in the same factory.
Initially, they formed a club act known as Bobby and Stevie Rhythm, which eventually evolved into the Sherrell Brothers and later the Harper Brothers. As a vocal duo, they began to incorporate more comedy into their performances over time.
In the late 1960s, they turned professional and renamed their act Cannon and Ball. Their first television appearance was on Opportunity Knocks in 1968, although they unfortunately came in last.
Throughout the 1970s, they appeared on various TV shows, including Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club, but their work primarily consisted of performing in clubs and theaters.
Their last television series aired in 1991, by which point their popularity had waned, and they were no longer considered "fashionable" on television. Despite this, they continued to perform in theaters and pantomimes, drawing large audiences.
Off-stage, however, things took a darker turn. Over the years, they had gradually grown apart, and by the 1980s, they barely spoke to each other except when work demanded it. Bobby's personal life was marked by heavy drinking, womanizing, and a reputation for violence.
In 1986, Bobby converted to Christianity, and Tommy followed suit in 1992.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Cannon and Ball continued to work, touring theaters, performing summer shows, and appearing on television. They have also started performing regular Christian concerts and "evening with..." shows, where they share their life story and their faith with audiences.
