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Digger talks to singer and performing legend Petula Clark,
CBE
Superlatives are too
often used for so-called stars, but Petula Clark's stardom and
international popularity is real and totally unique and her output
and career quite remarkable. She is the most successful British
female singer of all time, she is the only artist to have had hits
from the 1950s through to the 2000s, she has received and gained
awards, (world) records and accolades in abundance. A recording and
performing star as well as a truly international star of stage and
screen, unusually being equally as big a hit in the U.S.A. as well
as in Europe, particularly the French-speaking nations. Long before
David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Prince or Madonna decided that re-inventing
themselves was de rigueur, Petula was evolving many different
careers as a child star, a sixties icon, a star of film and stage
and a major live performer and multi-lingual recording star. Petula
was born on November 15th, 1932. By 1944 she was such a successful
child star in Britain that she sang at the war victory celebrations
in London's Trafalgar Square, having been a mascot for the troops.
She appeared in many movies, mainly, though not exclusively musical,
both at home and in the States and carved-out a name for herself as
an actress and a singer of fine ditties such as Where Did My Snowman
Go, The Little Shoemaker and the less child-like recordings Sailor and Romeo. She
went to France and sang in their tongue, much to the delight of that
nation and she was soon 'adopted' by the French having married a
Frenchman. Hits in German and Italian followed. Come
the sixties, writer and producer Tony Hatch and his wife Jackie
Trent took a shine to 'Pet' & they joined to make many notable
and huge international hits (including two U.S. number ones.) The
trans-Atlantic lyrics of Downtown and Don't Sleep In The Subway as
well as other hits such as My Love, I Couldn't Live Without Your
Love & I Know A Place were all perfectly evocative of the
sixties mood and well-suited to Petula's, by now, more developed and
mature, pop voice. She had a hit with the Charlie Chaplin song This
Is My Song in 1967 and was the first UK female singer since Vera
Lynn in 1952 to have a number one in the States. Pet
appeared in several movies in the sixties including Goodbye Mr.
Chips and Finian's Rainbow. Many
musical collaborations followed, some of which can be heard on her
latest CD 'Duets', and Petula has consistently toured and recorded
to this day. She has appeared in Willy Russell's Blood Brothers and
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard, breaking several records in
the process. She
was recently awarded the CBE (Commander of the British Empire) by
The Queen for her contributions to entertainment and as an
unofficial 'ambassadress' for Britain. There is a campaign by her
fans and friends (many in high places) to get her to be made a Dame,
a title that would seem totally appropriate given her considerable
achievements. Petula is as busy as ever but Digger managed to
catch-up with her after her recent Las Vegas concerts and here is that interview.
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Petula
as child star and in the sixties
Petula now
Digger: What was it
like for a child in the war to be thrust into the limelight as a
child star? Were you aware of the important events going on around
you and also of your impact on the morale of the troops and
public?
Petula:
As a child I wasn't really aware of what a
star meant and it was a very different world then, of course.
Everything seemed to be in black and white. You know when I look
back on it now it was all rather grey.
Digger: When you
look back do you really see everything in black and white?
Petula: Funnily
enough, I do. When I see old movies in black and white I say
"Yeah, that's how it was." (Laughs) I was a very
musical child and loved to sing. I'm part Welsh and so the Welsh
... well they sing, they just sing! My mother was Welsh and
when the blitz got a bit too hard in London, and we were living
only just outside London, my sister and I we used to get sent to
spend some time with our grandparents near Merthr Tydfil and we
loved it. It was a different world altogether. We spoke Welsh
and that's where I first started singing.
Digger: Have you
ever sung in Welsh - I mean recorded?
Petula: No, I
haven't - I don't know if I could right now.
Digger: Just about
every other language but not Welsh.
Petula: (Laughs)
I'm sure it would come back to me if I had to because it's in
there somewhere... The impact on morale - I wasn't aware of
that kind of thing as I was very young.
Digger:
You were a kind of younger version of Vera
Lynn for the troops, weren't you?
Petula:
Oh, absolutely. Vera was the sweetheart of the forces and I
represented all the children who had been left behind when
their dad, or brothers or uncles had gone off to war. That's
what my image was.
Digger: It is
like a completely different world and difficult to imagine
these days.
Petula:
Well, it's almost like
talking about somebody else. It's something that I don't
talk about very much really. Only when people like you
....
Digger:
...Stupid people like me ask you questions
about it! (Laughs) Where does your apparently boundless energy
and enthusiasm come from?
Petula:
I don't know if I can answer that (Thinks) .................
first of all, I enjoy life and I particularly enjoy
performing. You can be feeling grotty backstage and be
thinking "Oh God, I'm not going to be able to do this tonight."
There are nights like that but what happens is that you get on
stage, the music starts and the magic happens. Where does that
comes from?........ I think there's an energy coming from the audience
as well and it's a two-way traffic.
Digger: If it's a
good night?
Petula: Well,
they usually are!
Digger: Looking at
your career, it's quite superlative and exhaustive, with you
winning awards, world records and achieving numerous
milestones. What do you consider your biggest achivements to
date and what would you still like to accomplish?
Petula:
... Crikey! Digger:
Sorry if that's a horrible question!
Petula: Well,
it's not a horrible one (thinks)....... but quite often it's
not so much the awards - the hardware, but it's the great
evenings. I mean, last night here in Las Vegas was incredible.
We had about 3,000 people and it was an amazing evening and I
wasn't quite expecting it. (Digger exclaims surprise!)
Well, I wasn't expecting it to be quite like that.
Digger:
They're particularly appreciative the
Americans, aren't they?
Petula:
Oh, they're all wonderful audiences, but that's not what I
mean. I don't know, it's just last night was a bit like the
Olympia in Paris when the place was just exploding. It's those
surprises when you're not quite expecting it that are the
wonderful moments.
Digger:
Are you nostalgic or do you tend to look forward?
Petula: I
have been somewhat criticised for not being nostalgic
enough.
Digger: If that's
the way you are, that's the way you are.
Petula: Yes....
but people DO get nostalgic about me. And expect me to feel
the same way. I'm far too into today and tomorrow to look
back.
Digger:
Why did the French take to you so well, do
you think?
Petula:
I think at the beginning... (Laughs) .... well, I didn't speak
French at all when I first went there. I went there because I
fell in love with a Frenchman and of all the places to go and
live I think France would have been the last place I thought
of. (Both laugh) I tell you, France is very different now and
it's much more open to the rest of the world. (Laughs) But
then, when I was first there in Paris and not being able to
speak the language it was kind of tricky.
Digger:
Daunting?
Petula:
Daunting. A good word. And then I did a
show at the Olympia and everybody went "Wahay" and
then the record company said I should record in French. I'm
sure you know that story and my first recordings in French
actually don't sound like French. (Both laugh) I realise that
NOW.
Digger:
Can you hear the English accent?
Petula:
It was more accent than anything else! And the French thought
it was very funny and quite charming. I think that was the
first appeal. And I looked different - they'd had several stars
who had come in from Italy and Egypt and these were dark
haired exotic-looking ladies and suddenly here I was little
and blonde and singing with this funny English accent and I
think I was a bit of a novelty. And little by little the
quality of the songs got better and I was able to sing in
French better and I became their number one seller.
Digger: They took
you under their wing, as it were.
Petula: They
DID. That too was a surprise and it certainly wasn't planned.
Digger:
There's supposed to be this rivalry between
the French and the British but sometimes things do cross over
quite well.
Petula:
In this case it did.
Digger: Coming
up-to-date a bit, can you tell us about your albums of the
songs of Rod McKuen and the Duets album?
Petula: Well,
yes, those are two very different albums, of course. The duets
are mostly live recordings that I've done over the years with
some really truly great artists and the one with Dusty we did
recently. It was a tape of Dusty that had not been quite
finished and she got some of the lyrics wrong and the notes
were off but she still sounded great. I heard this tape and
I'd always wanted to sing with Dusty and I always thought she
was the best of us British girls. And so we went into the
studio in LA and I recorded with her and it was an amazing
experience.
Digger:
An amazing voice, a soulful voice, a black voice really....
Petula: Very
much so, and we sound pretty good together I must say. I quite
like that duets album, there's really really some good stuff
on there.
Digger:
And the Rod songs that you've made your
own?
Petula:
Em, made them my own?... Some of them are really classics like Love's Been Good
To Me and the things that Sinatra did. I've know Rod for many
years and we've always said we'd do something together one day
and yet it was very difficult to do this album (Laughs) because I
was always somewhere else and we really needed to be in the
studio together to do this. We didn't do it sort of 'over the
'phone', kind of thing which you can pretty well do these
days. I'd say "Well, I'll be in LA on..." and we'd
do three songs and then I'd disappear and come back and do two
and a half songs some time later and so it went.
Digger: You're obviously
good friends so I'm sure it was nice to have a catch up.
Petula: Yes,
it was great fun doing it. Fans in general seem to think it's
a really good album, but it's not really for me to
judge.
Digger:
Do you consider yourself 'webby', as in the
Internet?
Petula:
I don't possess a computer and I think
the idea of putting my own 'web' on and reading it would be a
terrifying experience! I do know about the web sites though
and Bonnie in the US and Terry in England and the fan club and
they're lovely people. Don't get me wrong, I'm not turning my
nose up at it all but I'm not the kind of person that watches
their own movies and listens to their own records all day...
And I AM on the brink of getting a computer - teetering.
Digger: If
I talk to you in a year you'll be like an old hand.
Petula:
I don't know about that, I've got to learn to work the darn
thing.
Digger: Who do you
rate as the best songwriters and musicians?
Petula:
That's difficult! I do think Amy
Winehouse is pretty good, she's an amazing singer. I love
Annie Lennox. There are so many great singers around
today.
Digger: Are you
positive about the music scene today?
Petula:
Well, I am and I'm not. You know it depends on how you qualify
it. Longevity has always been something which has
been the kind of proof of somebody's talent but I don't
know if that's true these days.
Digger: That
probably leads onto a question I was going to ask later which
is what do you think about the reality show phenomenon where
people want to be famous for fame's sake and they want it
without having earned the right and done the work?
Petula:
I do know what you mean
but at the same time it's a great opportunity for young talent
to be seen and heard, when there is talent. Otherwise it's a
VERY tough business to get into.
Digger: More so
than it was when you were younger?
Petula:
Hmm, I don't think that you can compare and the whole world
has changed. But talent does come out, I think Will Young is
a wonderful talent. You can count them on one hand the ones
who have come along and really done something.
Digger: Are we
going to see you recording duets with Amy Winehouse, Annie
Lennox and Will Young?
Petula:
I'd love to, I'd love to.
Petula and Tony
Hatch
Digger: Can
you tell us about your musical collaborations with Tony Hatch?
Petula:
It was an
amazing thing. Tony was contributing to my French recordings
for quite a while - not choosing the songs and the material
but he was actually in the studio putting it together and then
he presented me with this song Downtown and we had no idea...
Digger: It was
just the melody wasn't it?
Petula: Well,
he had a title and one or two lines and the melody was so
strong I said that if he could write a lyric as strong as that
melody I would love to go in and record it. I hadn't recorded
in English for quite a while. I was recording in French and
German and Italian and so we went in and did this and we
recorded live with the orchestra and it was just a great
record. We knew we'd made a great record but we didn't know
we'd made a monster record and the wonderful thing about Tony
was that he just kept writing these songs. He'd sit down at
the piano and play Don't Sleep In The Subway and I would fall
in love with it and he would write I Couldn't Live Without
Your Love and I would fall in love with it (Both
laugh)
Digger: Did you
find yourself whistling or humming the tunes?
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Peter O'Toole |
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Jacques Brel |
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Dusty Springfield |
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Petula: Yes,
they were very catchy tunes as were his orchestrations and he
was producing too.
Digger:
I have been whistling the tunes over
the last couple of days while preparing for this interview and
it's been driving my girlfriend mad.
Petula:
(Laughs) Sorry
about that!
Digger:
It's only because when I whistle I
sound like an old builder.
Petula:
Yes, you don't hear many songs that builders can whistle today.
Digger:
You've had a number of different careers, as it were. Which has
given you the most satisfaction? Petula:
They're all so different. You know I enjoy a lot of it.
Recording is such a technical thing these days with computers
and so on. There are advantages of course but I prefer live
performance best of all. Digger:
The Tony Hatch live recordings generated something special.
Petula: Yes they
did. There's something joyful about
his songs, apart from the hits he wrote many other songs which I
think deserved to be hits but they were overshadowed by the other
songs but even his more thoughtful perhaps melancholic songs were
beautiful - he's just a great writer. Digger:
You mention the joyful thing and one of my American friends asked me
to ask you if you see yourself as a positive person because your
music seems so positive? Petula:
Yes, but how can I put this. I'm a Scorpio. I am a realist and I
know what's going on and the dangers and tragedies that can turn up
at the drop of a hat. My defence against all that stuff is to think
positive and ward it all off if possible. Digger:
Does Britain recognise and appreciate its stars as much as the
Americans and Europeans do? I think the British are a bit apathetic
and blasé. Petula:
Well, maybe. The Americans love success and they celebrate it. They
give you a standing ovation just for turning up. (Laughs) British
audiences..... they're a bit more difficult but it's kind of worth
the effort. Digger:
Can I ask you a very specific question? You worked with producer Joe
Meek. Petula:
Yes. Digger:
Did you ever record at his Holloway Road flat? He recorded a lot of
his hits there with musicians crammed into the various rooms, such
as The Tornadoes. Petula:
No, I recorded at the studios. Digger:
Can you tell us about current and
future projects?
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Julie Andrews |
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Rod McKuen |
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Sacha Distel |
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Joe Meek |
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Petula:
I'm in Vegas as we speak and flying back to London tonight. There's
an anniversary of The Sound Of Music next week which I'm going to
attend which of course is not the performance but I think it's going
to be a lot of fun. And then I'm doing some concerts in ... where am I?
Canterbury and Chichester and Ipswich. Then I've got some more
concerts later in the year but I can't tell you what they are - best
to look at the website petulaclark.net Digger:
Just one more question Petula. I have a list of people with whom you
have worked. Can you describe them each in a few words? Petula:
I'll try... Tony
Hatch. Love him. Respect him and we see each other from time to
time and he's just a superb songwriter. Julie
Andrews: Yes. I see Julie from time to time and she remembers
those days very well when we were kids together back in WWII and she
reminds me about lots of stuff. Tommy
Steele: I worked with Tommy on Finian's Rainbow and quite frankly
I haven't seen much of him since. Fred
Astaire: Well, Fred!... I don't think you've got enough space. Tony
Newley: My darling Tony. How I loved him. I had a big crush on
him when we were kids and we were sort of soul mates in a strange
way. We shared a lot together and we performed together in Vegas and
I'm very sad when I think he's not with us anymore. I can't quite
believe it. Rod
McKuen: I've worked recently with Rod and got to know him a
lot better. When you're in a studio for hours on end you really get
to know someone and he's funny and intelligent and poetic and I adore
him. Dusty
Springfield: Well Dusty and I we didn't really know each other
very well although we did share a dressing room once in San Remo in
Italy but we didn't really know each other at all. And because we
were, I suppose at the time, not exactly rivals but sort of treated
that way. So we never appeared
on the same show together apart from that Italian show. We moved in
different circles and I wish I had known Dusty better. Andrew
Lloyd Webber: Yes, it's very interesting he's turned into a TV
star in the last few years which is kind of surprising. We have met
a lot of times and got along fine and I have great respect for what
he's done for the musical theatre and it always gives me pleasure to
do a song from Sunset Boulevard in my show. Willy
Russell: He's deeply talented and Blood Brothers is one of those
shows that seems as if it's going to go on as long as The Mousetrap.
I still do something from Blood Brothers in my show and each time I
sing Tell Me It's Not True I can FEEL the character from Blood
Brothers really deeply. Joe
Meek: I don't know what I can say but he was a very talented man. Peter
O'Toole: Obviously he was a great actor but we had such fun doing
Goodbye Mr Chips. He LOVED archaeology like I do and when we were in
Italy in Pompeii we were just in heaven. And I have seen him a few
times since and we both had such wonderful memories of making that
movie. Serge
Gainsbourg: Ah Serge! Well, I first met Serge in my living room
in Paris. He came over to play something to me. He wasn't yet the
sort of, as they say in French, 'Gasbar' - he changed, his whole personality
changed at one point but he was always a great songwriter and I
loved all his recordings. He was very very shy and it took him a
couple of beers actually to loosen up. He became a man with this kind of
unwashed and 'out of it' kind of look but he wasn't like that when I
first met him and he wrote three beautiful songs for me. Digger:
Am I right that Jacques Brel wrote something for you as well? Yes,
he did he wrote a song called Un Enfant which means a child and he
gave it to me as a gift for the birth of one of our children. And I
was on tour with Jacques in Belgium. So it was just the two of us and
I had this unique opportunity to see him and hear him every night.
And it was an education. Sacha
Distel: Sacha was a real friend. We used to ski together. He had
a place in the French alps (Francine still does, of course) and used to come to dinner with us and we
did TV shows together and we were almost like a double act. Not just
singing but sketches and silly things and it was hugely popular with
French audiences and great fun. Digger:
He seemed like an Anglophile. Petula:
He spoke very good English. Dean
Martin: Dean was.... (Thinks) it would be nice to have some
people who were still alive!! (Digger laughs and apologises) I
adored Dean. I did the show many times with Dean and I did it virtually
without rehearsal the way he did it and after a while the crew and
producer realised I was very fast and didn't need too much rehearsal
and a lot of people thought we were having a 'thing'. There was no
truth in it but there was a twinkle in his eye for me, let's put it
that way.
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Tommy Steele |
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Dean Martin |
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Andrew Lloyd Webber |
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Anthony Newley |
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Harry
Belafonte: Well, Harry and I went through that experience when he
was on my TV show in America which you probably know about.... (Editor's
note. Incredibly, in the sixties the sponsor for her show demanded
that part of the show be re-recorded before broadcast because Petula
had touched Harry Belafonte's arm affectionately. Petula and the
producers refused and the show was transmitted with the gesture
intact.) Digger:
Funnily enough, you share something similar with Dusty there because
when she toured South Africa in the sixties she refused to sing to
segregated audiences and was thrown out.
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Serge Gainsbourg |
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Harry Belafonte |
Yes,
I went to South Africa at that time and my musical director was
black and we ran into some problems. You know that's the way I felt
about things and still do, so Harry and I we see each other from
time to time in New York and there's a very special connection
there. Digger:
That's the final person on the list you'll be glad to hear. (Petula
laughs) It's been a real pleasure Petula and thank you for your time and
help. It was much appreciated and have a safe journey back to the
UK. You might even hear me shouting from the audience at the Ipswich
gig. Petula:
Well as long as it's not rude. Digger:
Many thanks again. Petula:
It was a pleasure.
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Welcome back to the
Forties where you can get to know our talents as The
Forces Sweethearts
Louise graduated from Mountview Theatre School
in 1996. After making her professional debut playing
Heather, in the BBC sitcom, 'Grown Ups', she went to
appear in 'Peak Practice', 'Band of Gold' (series 3)
and Brookside. Louise has also made numerous TV
Commercials.
Her theatre credits include the D'oyly Carte Opera
Company's West End productions of the 'Mikado' and
'The Pirates of Penzance'. She has appeared in the
'Little Shop of Horrors', 'Escape from Pterodactyl
Island', 'Yee Haw' and 'Trial by Jury', all in London.
Louise also appeared for a season with the G
& S Opera Company for the Buxton Opera House, and
a very successful run as a tap dancing cow in 'Jack
and the Beanstalk' at the Salisbury Playhouse.
Deborah graduated from Mountview Theatre School
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Miserables' at the Palace Theatre in London's West
End.
Her other West End credits include, 'A Midsummer
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prefer Blondes'. She also had a leading role in
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also lucky enough to tour internationally with
'Midsummer Nights Dream' to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
For Bookings, information or Demo CD, please contact
Louise on 01260 - 290802
or email us at info@thewestendgirls.co.uk |
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Into The Blue - Dambuster
Tours
Into The Blue - Vintage
Aircraft Flights |
Details |
Into The Blue - Spitfire
Flights
Your chance to experience Spitfire flights from
privileged positions both on the ground and from the
air as you get airborne in a helicopter to fly side by
side these most majestic of Second World War fighter
aeroplanes.
Whichever of our two Spitfire flight activities you
choose, you can be assured that this will make for a
truly unforgettable gift for any fan of classic RAF
aircraft. It's also your opportunity to take some
super air-to-air photos of the Spitfire as she roars
alongside and past you in the skies above the Kent
coastline. Truly magical!
Into The Blue - Dambuster Tours
A story of bravery and courage, this 'Dambusters'
tour will fascinate you. Venue Yorkshire, Sheffield.
Into The Blue - Flying and Sightseeing Trips in
Vintage Aeroplanes
Tiger Moth West Sussex
Biplane Flights Nationwide
Harvard Warbird Experience
Vintage Sightseeing Flights
Tiger Moths & Tanks Experience
Chipmunk Flying Lessons
Vintage Stearman Flights |
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details:
Into The Blue - Spitfire
Flights
Into The Blue - Dambuster
Tours
Into The Blue - Vintage
Aircraft Flights |
|
| Lynsey Leigh
Davies - award winning female professional vocalist
and entertainer - 1940's WW11 Sing-A-Long |
Website |
Lynsey
Leigh Davies |
Details |
Hello Dolly, White Cliffs Of Dover, Love Letters,
Moonlight Bay, Lay Down Your Arms, Berkeley Square,
Bill Bailey, As Time Goes By, Side By Side, Let Me
Call You Sweetheart, I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles,
Around The World, Lambeth Walk, Falling In Love
Again, Smile, Someone to Watch over Me, Second Hand
Rose, Don’t Bring Lulu, Swinging On A Star, You
Are My Sunshine, Slow Boat to China, You Made Me
Love You, Wish Me Luck as You Wave Goodbye, April
Showers, Bless Em All, Kiss Me Goodnight Sgt Major,
This Is the Army Mr Jones, Hand out Your Washing on
the Seigfried Line, Sailor, How Much Is That Doggie
In The Window, You Made Me Love You, Autumn Leaves,
Bye Bye Blackbird, We’ll Meet Again
Lynsey’s speciality is a 1940’s Second World War
Show. Where she performs both recorded songs such as
‘White Cliffs of Dover' and ‘Lille Marlene’ as
well as upbeat songs sang by our armed forces during
the war such as This is the Army Mr Jones, Kiss Me
Goodnight Sergeant Major, Pack Up Your Troubles,
Wish Me Luck, We’ll Meet Again and many many more.
Lynsey has a very large and full catalogue of
high quality backing tracks, sound effects, lights
if required, classic 1940’s songs for the breaks
between her sets and a stage width themed backdrop.
|
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
|
| WE’LL
MEET AGAIN |
Website |
Duggie
Chapman |
Details |
The record breaking
touring show presented by DUGGIE CHAPMAN MBE, We’ll
Meet Again clocks up an amazing 9th year on the road
in 2010, featuring tributes to Vera Lynn, Max Miller,
George Formby and many more.
The record breaking touring show presented by DUGGIE
CHAPMAN MBE, We’ll Meet Again clocks up an amazing
9th year on the road in 2010. Britain’s best
matinee show, this Wartime Cavalcade celebration show
will be on tour again from March through to July on
it’s annual nationwide tour.
FOR BOOKING ENQUIRIES CALL DUGGIE CHAPMAN on
OFFICE:
01253 403 177
MOBILE
: 07976 925 504
Email: info@duggiechapmanassociates.co.uk
|
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
|
| Stockings
& Romance |
Website |
Stockings
& Romance |
Details |
Retro lingerie, vintage lingerie 1940s and 1950s
style, includes fully fashioned stockings, girdles,
corselettes, suspender belts and retro panties.
Stockings & Romance ‘Pin Up’ style lingerie
takes inspiration from the 1940’s and 50’s era,
combining burlesque, vintage and retro lingerie
styles. Our collection includes shapewear,
corselettes, bullet bras, girdles, suspender belts
and fully fashioned nylon stockings, all designed
and manufactured in-house in the UK.
Stockings and Romance Ltd
5 Lathwell Way
Kingswood Park
Leighton Buzzard
Bedfordshire
LU7 4TY
United Kingdom
Tel: 01525 854147
Email: info@stockingsandromance.co.uk
|
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
|
| Ace Music Stands |
Website |
Ace
Music Stands |
Details |
Ace Music Stands
will:
- Give a lasting impression.
- Enhance the look of your show.
- Leave your audience in no doubt as to who you
are.
Our stands are produced from a waterproof parallel
webbed twin wall plastic, which, with proper use, will
give you years of service.
The tallest of the 3 stands weighs less than 1kg. Thus
one person can carry all the stands in one go, from
storage, or your transport to the stage, for the
largest of today’s bands.
There are 6 great colours available that can be mixed
and matched as desired giving 36 different colour
combinations of tops and fronts.
Great for: School bands / Brass bands /
Corporate bands / Function bands / College bands /
Jazz bands / Recital bands and Orchestras / Big bands
/ One man bands / House bands
Tel: 0114 2697812
Ace Music Stands
24 Flockton Road
Sheffield S13 9QU
Email: order@acemusicstands.co.uk |
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
|
| Lisa
Martin - 1940s Wartime show/Ladies of Swing Show |
Website |
Lisa
Martin |
Details |
Lisa Martin has performed
all around the world, to rave reviews.
Singing pop, jazz, soul and standards, this dynamic
and versatile young lady is currently based in
Glasgow, Scotland, where she performs at functions,
weddings and other corporate events. Lisa is suitable
for all occasions, perfuming a high-class cabaret or a
lively dance spot to suit any audience. She also
specialises in nostalgic tribute shows, including a
1940s wartime show and a 1950s 'swing' show. These
shows can be presented individually, or combined in a
'decades' style show, with an optional 60s/70s dance
spot if required.
lisamartinmusic@gmail.com
|
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
|
| Rock
Music Memorabilia - The site devoted to the Bath and
Knebworth Festivals 1969-1979 |
Website |
Rock
Music Memorabilia |
Details |
Rockmusicmemorabilia.com
Ltd was started in 1999 by Henrietta Bannister
with the express intention of reproducing posters,
programmes and T shirts etc. from the festivals
organised between 1969-1979, by her father, promoter
Freddy Bannister. The aim is to offer exact replicas
of the originals, reproduced to the highest
standards possible.
The posters are printed in limited editions and
signed and numbered by the promoter as proof of
authenticity. In keeping with Freddy Bannister's
philosophy of always giving the very best value for
money (just look at the admission price on the
festival posters) the price of the items has been
kept as low as possible and represents truly
excellent value.
Tel: +44 (0)1954 268088
Email: info@rockmusicmemorabilia.com
|
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
|
| The
Jukebox Selection Co |
Website |
The
Jukebox Selection Co |
Details |
Superb neon signs, or
try our custom neon sign service, CD and vinyl jukebox
sales and repair, pool table sales and re-cover.
For more information about jukeboxes or neon signs
call
Eddie on 01159 209008 or email at jukeboxselection@aol.com
or
Keith on 07786 727186 or email at jukeboxselection@tiscali.co.uk
SECOND HAND JUKEBOXES
All of our jukeboxes are totally stripped and
cleaned to make sure you get a jukebox that is as near
mint as we can get it. We have spent many days working
on techniques to make sure we achieve our aim of
giving you a jukebox to be proud of. These jukeboxes
carry a 6 month return to base warranty.
NEONS
The range of neons that we have are made almost
exclusively for us at "The Jukebox Selection
Co" with only the "Back To The 50s" and
the "Rock and Roll" neon being standard
items. At the moment they cover two types of music,
rock and roll and soul, but this will be extended to
cover all forms of music. We can create neons to your
own design and style, just let us know what you would
like and our designer and manufacturer will create a
sample for you to look at before production goes
ahead. There are also hundreds of standard designs
available that cover motor sport, bar names, open and
closed, alcohol, leisure and many more, just let us
know what genre you need and we will send you pictures
of all neons available. |
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
|
| Karen
Noble - Popular British singer and impersonator |
Website |
Karen
Noble |
Details |
Most of you know me as
"Dusty" - the world's favourite Dusty
Springfield tribute artiste, and the most travelled
British forces' entertainer and sweetheart.
Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark, Vera Lynn, Celine
Dion, Barbra Streisand, Shania Twain, Eva Cassidy,
Karen Carpenter, Anastacia, Joan Baez, Carole King,
Barbara Dickson, Beverly Craven, Vonda Shepard, Sheryl
Crow, Eva Cassidy.
Popular British singer and impersonator Karen Noble
performs sound-alikes of the great divas including
Dusty Springfield and Barbra Streisand. Karen has
entertained British troops overseas for 17 years.
She has appeared on numerous TV shows and at The
London Palladium.
Tel: 01908 225182 |
Remarks |
See the website for details |
|
| Heather
Marie - Solo Wartime Singer |
Website |
Heather
Marie |
Details |
1940s and 1950s tribute
singer Heather Marie is a young talented, self
contained vocalist bringing the music of the 40s and
50s to life! From War Time favourites, right through
to 50s swing and rock and roll, Heather has wowed
audiences throughout the UK with her powerful vocals,
bubbly personality, old style glamour and unique stage
presence.
Heather Marie has performed for numerous and local
charities such as the RAF and Help for Heroes and is
also available for weddings and private functions.
Influenced by Connie Francis, Dame Vera Lynn, Doris
Day, Rosemary Clooney, The Andrew Sisters and other
glamorous artistes from the 40s and 50s.
Heather Marie is a talent not to be missed. Her
effortless style oozes 40s and 50s glamour and chic,
ranging from 40s elegance and sophistication to fun
50s swing and rock n roll ! Heather Marie will make
any occasion special, from clubs, parties, weddings,
to WW2 dances! Your friends, family, guest or clients
are sure to be impressed and entertained.
Heather Marie is available for many occasions
including Weddings, Birthdays, Corporate Events,
Charity events, private functions and any other reason
you have to put on a special event!
info@heathermarie.co.uk
|
Remarks |
See the website for details |
|
| Dave's Jukeboxes - a
major jukebox supplier since 1968 |
Website |
Dave's
Jukeboxes |
Details |
Daves Jukeboxes have
been a major jukebox supplier since 1968. We also
offer jukebox repair, jukebox servicing and a jukebox
restoring service.
At our jukebox showroom situated in South West
England, we stock a range of Wurlitzer, Rock Ola,
Seeburg, Row Ami Jukeboxes. Our vast and ever changing
jukebox collection are restored to their original
showroom quality in our own Jukebox Shop. Our jukebox
sales include classic jukeboxes and CD Jukeboxes for a
much greater choice of music.
Dave's Jukeboxes can supply Jukebox spares for Wurlitzer,
Rock Ola, Seeburg and Row Ami Jukeboxes - if you
are unsure what you need just give us a ring.
We offer jukebox repairs for Wurlitzer, Rock Ola,
Seeburg, Row Ami amongst others. We also stock a vast
amount of fifties and sixties memorabilia and Pinball
machines. Our Jukebox hire service is ideal for your
Functions, parties, weddings ,etc. You can choose a
classic jukebox or CD Jukeboxes have been introduced
recently for extra choice and selection of music .
For any Jukebox services, repairs or sales why not
visit us in our NEW SHOP if only for a chat and a cup
of coffee.
Mr. D Franklin
Rock Around the Shop
22 St Marys Street
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 3LY Tel:
01278444030
Mobile: 07885145406
E-Mail: enquiries@davesjukeboxes.co.uk
|
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
|
| Speciality Jukebox Hire
- How would you like to be able to have all of your
favourite music available at your party, special event
or celebration. all at the press of a button! |
Website |
Speciality
Jukebox Hire |
Details |
Ken Hudson, the owner of
Speciality Jukebox Hire, is based in the ancient and
historic city of York. Ken's musical knowledge is
accumulated from a lifetime of collecting music, from
78rpm discs to vinyl, from CD and digital MP3, as well
as his extensive twenty years experience as a
mobile DJ. His encyclopedic musical knowledge is
extremely valuable in helping you plan your perfect
event, making his vast collection of music available
to hire for all kinds of parties, special events and
celebrations. Get in touch for more details.
Hire the Wurlitzer Princess CD Jukebox from Speciality
Music and you'll have music for all those special
occasions - you and your guests will be able to select
the music to suit the moment.
Start organising your event's music collection and
jukebox hire by getting in touch.
- How about 'Tracks of Your Years for that special
birthday celebration?
- Or for that special day, Wedding Reception
memorable music of your choice.
- To add to your enjoyment of that special
occasion, how about
including a musical quiz? Test the musical
knowledge of your guests by
listening to short extracts of the 'hits' over the
years - "What Year?";
"Who was the artist?"; "What was
the title?". Played in groups or
individually it's a fantastic way to make your
occasion even more fun and
memorable - sheer nostalgia!!
At Speciality Music jukebox hire, you can have your
own personal requests put onto CD. You can also add
some of your own favourite CDs to the jukebox
selection if you wish. Also, given suitable notice, it
is possible to transfer any of your favourite vinyl
albums to CD to add to the enjoyment of your special
event.
tel: 07758 002 972
e: info@specialityjukeboxhire.com |
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
|
| Timeless
International Productions - World Class Entertainment |
Website |
Timeless
International Productions |
Details |
Timeless International
Productions is one of the largest show producers in
the UK. Now an internationally acclaimed company
specializing in show production, and supplying the
very best in entertainment worldwide.
Formed by Colin Francis and Marie Adele, who
together have more than 50 years professional
experience, performing and producing shows all over
the world.
Some of our breathtaking spectacular shows:
- A Timeless Collection. 'Music Hall'
through to 1970's
- Showstoppers...A Night of Musicals.
- Extravaganza on Ice.
- Memory Lane. Featuring songs from 'Music
Hall, 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's.
- Lets Twist Again. An excellent evenings
entertainment, based on all the favourite songs
from the 50s & 60's.
- Rolling Back the Years. Another great
show based on the same theme as 'Memory Lane, and
'A Timeless Collection'. This time adding some of
the greatest songs from some of the blockbuster
Movies and Musicals. Grease, Singing In The
Rain and The Sound Of Music, to name but a
few.
- Viva Las Vegas. This show pays tribute to
stars such as Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey,
and includes the amazing 'Las Vegas' showgirls.
- Moulin Rouge. A brilliant song and dance
spectacular.
- Tribute Acts and Tribute Production Shows currently
available include ABBA, Elvis, Take That, Il
Divo, and many more.
Timeless International Productions
P O Box 235
Chester le Street
County Durham
DH3 9DL
Telephone +44 (0) 191 3702718
Email. info@timelessinternationalproductions.com |
Remarks |
See the website for details |
|
| Homefront
History - Education - Information -
Entertainment - Remembrance - Respect |
Website |
Homefront
History |
Details |
Homefront History is
dedicated to keeping alive the spirit of remembrance
for the wartime generation. Our accurate portrayals
include civilians, the emergency services and Allied
servicemen and women.
We specialise in Police at War, civilian female and
male police officers and British Army Military Police
(Red Caps) , although we can bring together a wide mix
of Allied Service personnel, civilian emergency
services personnel and civilians including
evacuees/schoolchildren.
We can provide re-enactors for staff, public and
private events, Mess and Formal dinners, educational
projects, TV, Film and Photography, Museums and
Visitor Destinations. Our re-enactors are also
available for special occasions, including 1940s
themed weddings.
We have full public liability insurance, and
references are available upon request.
CONTACT US
Email:
You can email us using enquiries@homefronthistory.co.uk
Telephone Lo call (UK only):
Dial 0844 991 0084
Please dial 44 (0) 77 483 10996 from outside the UK
(standard call charges apply)
'Radio Telephone Number 077 483 10996'
|
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
|
| Victory
Belle - A high energy mix of 1940s song and dance- a
mixture of wartime and nostalgic songs. |
Website |
Victory
Belle |
Details |
Johnny Victory and
Frances Belle's highly popular wartime tribute show
'Victory Belle'. This show features music, dance and
comedy banter in a nostalgic package that is
guaranteed to get you singing along and waving your
flag.
Whether your event is all day, a full weekend, a
few hours or a private party, Victory Belle can create
a bespoke service to suit the needs of your event.
We perform a combination of music from the 1940s
period, from the jive sounds of Glenn Miller to the
sentiments parted by Vera Lynn, to the daft, may we
say silly songs of the war, such as Kiss me Goodnight
Sergeant Major.
Tel:07814 968 160
Email: johnnyvictory@live.co.uk |
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
|
| Ovolo/Clarksdale
Books |
Website |
Ovolo/Clarksdale
Books |
Details |
Ovolo is an independent publisher of books and a
member of the IPG. Clarksdale is an imprint that
publishes a variety of rock and popular
music-related titles.
- 500 Lost Gems of the Sixties
- 70s Pop Genius Quiz Book
- Breakfast in Nudie Suits (a unique glimpse
into the Gram Parsons legend)
- Rock Atlas (500 great music locations
worthy of pilgrimage in the UK and Ireland.
Covering artists as diverse as The Beatles,
Stones, The Who, Bowie, Bolan, New Order,
Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder,
Queen, AC/DC, Michael Jackson, Sex Pistols,
The Stranglers, Depeche Mode, Oasis, Arctic
Monkeys, Adele, Kaiser Chiefs and Mumford
& Sons.)
Ovolo/Clarksdale Books have more exciting titles
in the pipeline so be sure to visit our website
regularly.
01480 891777
admin@ovolobooks.co.uk
|
Remarks |
See the website for
details |
|
| Steve
Norris - A Very English Revolution |
Website |
Steve
Norris
Buy A Very English Revolution on Amazon |
Details |
Steve Norris is an
English thriller writer for the 21st century
Steve has written a new novel, A Very
English Revolution, that will change your
views on the political stability of Britain
forever.
Already attracting a number of rave reviews, the
book is available on Amazon (as a paperback and on
Kindle - at £2) where you can also see the great
reviews.
It is framed around the timeline of a fictional
Leeds bi-election in 2009. The vacuum of
leadership in government meant minor parties were
growing in strength and the book picks up in Leeds
where an opportunity emerges for a new style
nationalist politician who can present arguments,
usually formed in male drinking clubs, in a sexy
media-friendly format. The other side of the story
is an old fashioned mystery whodunit from the
1980‘s where a journalist stumbles on a cover up
of child abuse in the Catholic Church. You think
the story is going one way, but wonder where the
bi-election fits in. The story draws the reader
into a world where questions and connections keep
coming, and where coincidence starts to turn into
conspiracy. Before the characters realise what
they know, they are at the centre of a very
dangerous storm. |
Remarks |
See the website for
details |
|
| Fiona
Harrison - Britain's finest nostalgic soprano |
Website |
Fiona
Harrison |
Details |
Book Fiona Harrison
now! Britain's finest nostalgic soprano is
available to perform at any 1940's themed event
throughout the world in authentic and glamorous
costumes.
Unlike most classically trained sopranos, Fiona
Harrison is much in demand as a cabaret performer.
Fiona prides herself on delivering top quality
entertainment which is varied and affordable. She
commissions the highest grade musicians to compile
her digitally recorded backing tracks, which are
superbly arranged and which enables her to work
any where in the world!
Combined with Fiona’s amazing singing voice
and impeccable presentation, it is now possible to
book someone with the know-how to bring the
distinction of Covent Garden and the West End to
your event.
This is only partly due to her outstanding
voice and presentation. In the more intimate
cabaret environment Fiona’s appeal is equally
due to her sparkling personality, her amazing
ability to engage with the audience and her
mischievous sense of fun!
Fiona offers a number of show packages including:
“Fiona Harrison in Cabaret”, “Magic of the
Musicals”, “Hooray for Hollywood”, “The
Great American Song Book”, “The Good Old
Days”, “The Best of British”, “Putting on
the Ritz”, “We’ll Meet Again”, “Don’t
Sit Under the Apple Tree”, “USA Stars and
Stripes Show”, “Swinging with the 1950’s
& 60’s”
and many others.
fionaharrison1@btinternet.com
01525 370453
|
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
|
| Vicki
Lambert - a tribute to Dusty Springfield |
Website |
Vicki
Lambert |
Details |
Vicki performs all
your favourite Dusty songs, including:
You Dont Have to Say You Love Me, Wishin
& Hopin, Son of a Preacher Man, I Just Dont
Know What To Do With Myself, I Only Want To Be
With You, I Close My Eyes & Count to Ten,
Middle of Nowhere
Call: 01629 540671
or
Email: vicki_lambert@hotmail.com |
Remarks |
See the website for
details |
|
| VIPER
LONDON - Clothing for Geezers and Birds |
Website |
VIPER
LONDON |
Details |
SHOES, POLOS,
SHIRTS, KNITWEAR, T-SHIRTS, HOODIES & SWEATS,
JACKETS, SHORTS, JEANS, TROUSERS, DRESSES, SKIRTS,
TOPS, LEGGINGS
Clothing for Geezers and Birds - Men's and
Ladies' Fashion
Give us a bell on: 0208 346 4411
We are open from 9.00 am - 5.00 pm UK time from
Mon-Fri
If the line is busy please feel free to email us
at:
viperlondon@hotmail.co.uk
Viperlondon
Unit D
Coppetts Center
North Circular Rd
London
N12 0SH |
Remarks |
Visit the
website for details |
|
| Jukebox One
Night Hire - You can create a little bit of magic at
your party no matter what the occasion |
Website |
Jukebox
One Night Hire |
Details |
Curtis Beauclair
Automatics Ltd was founded in 1958. We have now
been in business for over 50 years so you can rely on
us as an established company.
We first supplied jukeboxes to bars and clubs in
London and the surrounding area. Later we
started supplying jukeboxes to private parties. We
cater for everyone having any sort of party or event
from weddings and birthdays to company events.
We have supplied jukeboxes to many hotels and party
venues throughout London and the South East and we are
recommended by many as their preferred music supplier.
We also have a number of party planners and suppliers
of marquees who recommend our company. Our
jukeboxes have been used by TV and theatres in their
productions.
You can create a little bit of magic at your party no
matter what the occasion.
Contact Information
Jukebox One Night Hire
Mr, Robin Rowe
99 Wills Crescent
Hounslow
MIDDLESEX
TW3 2JE
Tel: 0208 894 4463 Mobile: 07850881896
Email: cutejuke@aol.com |
Remarks |
Visit the
website for details |
|
| Twinwood Festival -
Vintage 1940s and 1950s Music and Dance Festival |
Website |
Twinwood
Festival |
Details |
The Annual Ultimate Vintage 1940s and 1950s
Music and Dance Festival Twinwood, Clapham, near Bedford
We have already rebooked your favourites from past festivals along with
some fabulous new acts that have never appeared at Twinwood before. There
will be more venues and performances than ever before.
Telephone:01923 282725
Email: info@twinwoodevents.com
Twinwood Arena & The Glenn Miller Museum
Twinwood Events Ltd
Twinwood Road
Clapham
Bedfordshire
MK41 6AB |
Remarks |
Visit the website for details |
|
My big thanks to Petula Clark for the
interview and to Jim Pierson and Richard Harries for arranging it
for me/helping with information. October 2007.
For further reference:
www.petulaclark.net
www.imdb.com
Petula Clark interview. October 2007.
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