WC FEBRUARY 6.
A week to look forward to with at least three interviews – and I’m always looking for the unexpected. Last week I had a few e-mails, from around Britain, with regard to some of my rare interviews being aired on Radio 2. People seem to enjoy them and I’ve been trying to visualise the original interviews and set the scene for myself. Obviously, I had no idea when I quickly pushed a cassette recorder in front of a famous star, back in the 70s and 80s, that years later parts of them would be heard all over Britain – and even further afield. Some were recorded in such a hurry and at surprising locations. I’ve just heard that next Tuesday night, February 15, clips from my archives with Adam Faith and Edmund Hockridge will be aired on Desmond Carrington’s Iconic Fifties.
I’ve lost out on 10CC. Graham Gouldman would only do a phone interview, which is not my style at all. I have lost quite a few interviews over the years because of my pledge not to use phone interviews for a chat show. I want the thrill of being with the guest and not a hundred miles away in a studio.
So much can happen when you meet face-to-face – and the artists do prefer it, most of the time.
Tickets are racing out for the unexpected appearance of Craig Douglas on the Mike Pender’s Searchers bill at the Medina Theatre, Newport, on Friday March 4. There are very few left at this stage and a sell-out, within a day, is anticipated. His appearance on last Sunday’s JH Meets has meant a rush at the box-office.
Caught up with Brian Scovell, the Island’s most successful journalist of all time, at the Royal Hotel, Ventnor, which is just around a mile from where he was born in St Lawrence. We talked about his autobiography, the lifetime romance with his late wife, Audrey, his 40 years on the Daily Mail, his lucky escapes and the wartime Isle of Wight. Listen out for it on JH Meets.
Also went to Brighton to interview actor Simon Williams. What a gem of a guy! So entertaining, friendly, witty and wonderful on stage in Yes Prime Minister. He even sent the company manager away for a few more minutes, as he was enjoying our chat. Millions remember his as James Bellamy in Upstairs, Downstairs.
Marty Wilde was in sparkling form and the Friday night Shanklin Theatre audience of not far off 500 loved every minute. In his dressing room, after the show, Marty admitted he would love to come back next year. How nice to see crowds flocking out of the theatre for the third time in a week.
I was in Winchester on Saturday night to interview Blake, who are heading for the Medina Theatre, Newport, on Thursday March 3. What a likeable quartet of talented singers and they will delight the Newport audience. Also supporting them in five numbers will be the Island’s Vox Pop Choir and I know the boys are looking forward to it. They also ended the interviews with a brilliant live 4-part harmony song.