WC November 17
The week got off to such a fantastic beginning when I travelled to Lymington to catch up with a great entertainer – Gordon Haskell – who back in 2001, at the age of 55, had a number two chart hit with How Wonderful You Are, which sold 400,000 copies and the following year his album, Harry’s Bar, made number 2. We hit it off instantly and he gave me an amazing interview. He has virtually given up the business and lives on the Greek island of Skopelos, where they filmed the movie Mamma Mia. Gordon and his wife Sue, came to England to get married and he has ended up releasing a new single in early January. I’m Letting Everybody Know is a great track. What a delightful afternoon- and we plan to meet up again. The interview was set up by a Southampton taxi driver, who used to drive Gordon all over Britain back in the early 2000’s.
I met another mature character on Tuesday afternoon – Anthony Goddard who founded the Island’s Goddards Brewery. A gem of a character and he opened up to give me a great interview for John Hannam Meets – and there are a few surprises in store.
On Wednesday night we went to Ventnor Library so see the rehearsed reading of Breath, written by two locals John Goodwin and Jim Willis. It is based on an 1870 diary of a patient who was at the Royal National Hospital suffering with consumption. What an amazing hour – and well worth the visit. The Bonchurch Theatre Company deserve high praise and it would make a wonderful radio play.
Thursday was saddened by the news of the death of Jimmy Ruffin. The Motown star gave me a very frank interview at Warner’s Puckpool, back in 1988, when he performed a brilliant concert. Such a nice guy.
I was delighted to interview classy singer BARB JUNGR at the Ventnor Arts Club on Saturday teatime. I had interviewed her twice before in London, once at her Pimlico flat and the other time at the old Island Records studio. Went back in the evening to see her appear in concert at the super venue – and was not disappointed. She was just brilliant and so was Jamie her pianist. Nice to meet one or two good friends who were in the audience. Full marks to Stephen Izatt for the wonderful club and his hospitality.