WC JANUARY 30
I am aiming for more locals on JH Meets in the coming year and Den Clare is among the first signed up. I recently recorded an on-location interview with him and found out so much I never knew before. There is so much more to Den than being locally famous for his hypnotherapy and healing. Such a popular character, he’s been helping people all is life. There are numerous surprises within the interview and his music choices are a treat for lovers of 50s and 60s music.
Caught up with my old friend Roy Walker when he visited the Island this week. Since being on the Chris Moyles Radio 1 show, for the past 7 years, he has becaome a cult figure with students and his university gigs often attract two thousand people. His very first uni gig at Norwich saw 4000 students turn up. He’s recorded a fascinating interview for JH Meets.
I was so saddened to hear of the recent death of comedian and charity worker Dave Lee MBE. He was a great comedian and appeared many times on the Island, at both Sandown Pavilion and the Warner’s centres. He also came for the wedding of Crisco. We were good friends and, sadly, we had a most unwanted double. We both lost our wives with breast cancer. The last time we met, we comforted each other. I was cheered up to know he filled the cathedral in his home town for the celebration of his life. It was Canterbury Cathedral.
On Wednesday I had quite an exclusive – the only meeting Craig Douglas and Alvin Stardust will have before their concert at Newport’s Medina Theatre on Thursday March 8. I was there to talk to them together and it’s another fascinating interview. They sang a few duets together and enjoyed talking about their old days when they were among Britain’s most successful chart singers.
On Thursday I drove to Eastbourne to interview Denise Black, who played hairdresser Denise Osbourne in Coronatiion Street for many years – and the fellas queued up for dates with her in Weatherfield. She heads for the Mayflower, Southampton, from February 21 to March 3 to star in Sister Act, in which she plays the Mother Superior. She has also set me up for an interview with one of my guitar heroes. These include Duane Eddy, Vic Flick, Hank Marvin and James Burton. Another on my list is Graeme Taylor, once of the Albion Band and the Home Service. I have some brilliant albums with him on. He plays in Denise’s band,
Loose Screw – and I only found this out a couple of days before I met her.