WC MARCH 12.
I saw Calendar Girls for the fourth time on Monday night, at the Mayflower, Southampton, and enjoyed it as much as ever. I have a few friends in the show and was able to say a quick hello before heading back to the Red Jet. I’m hoping to catch up with some of the girls quite soon for interviews.
Looking forward to seeing three old friends at the Medina Theatre this week. Craig Douglas and Alvin Stardust on Thursday and Richard Digance on Saturday.
I went to Poole to meet up with an old friend – bandleader Ray McVay – who had twelve years on Come Dancing. For the past 24 years he has fronted the Glenn Miller Orchestra. For the first time ever we talked about his early life when he was the MD for Larry Parnes and it was his rock ‘n’ roll band that backed American stars like Little Richard, Gene Vincent, Freddie Cannon and Eddie Cochran, when they came to Britain. Ray played tenor sax on a Gene Vincent hit. He is appearing here on Saturday March 31, fronting the Glenn Miller Orchestra at Shanklin Theatre. Before then, he will be appearing on John Hannam Meets. On my show he will reveal the story of just why he didn’t travel in the car that crashed en route to Heathrow containing Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent. Cochran eventually died from his injuries.
There was a great reception for the Craig and Alvin show at the Medina Theatre on Thursday. Many enjoyed it even more than the last one. It was such a pleasure for me to be involved and to twice introduce Craig. All the artists performed so well, aided by the brilliant Mix. Alvin, who was superb, also had a sensational guitarist. I had never joined in a finale on stage until last night. Everyone singing Let It Be brought a standing ovation. Some Mothers scriptwriter Raymond Allen was in the audience.
The Richard Digance Medina concert on Saturday was one of his best. He was in great form and some of his new material really found favour with the fans. In the past, he’s often had some fun at my expense – and I’ve loved it. This time he was more serious in my direction and said some really nice things about my show. Thanks Richard.