 Gonella was born in Islington, North London, where he attended St Mary's Guardian School, an institution for underprivileged children where started playing cornet.After a short spell as a furrier's apprentice, his professional career began in 1924 when he joined Archie Pitt's Busby Boy's Band, a small pit orchestra and touring review band.During his four years with the band, he discovered the music of Louis Armstrong and dixieland jazz.