This last week we saw the passing of a truly great 'legend' the man who 'invented' skiffle and was the pre-cursor of Rock and Roll.  You could almost say he was one of the founding fathers of modern day 'Pop'.

Lonnie Donegan was a career long pal of mine....

I first saw and met Lonnie when I was 11 years old.  An influential agent in Dublin, Ireland, Percy Holmshaw, was partially paralysed and I used to accompany Percy and his wife to the UK for weeks at the major entertainment resorts.  I was a kind of 'runner' for Percy, who was well respected in the 'Business'.  I was one lucky boy, it gave me an insight into Show Business that was without price...what I learned with him was without price...what I saw on those jaunts was without price.  On one of these trips to Blackpool we saw Lonnie.  At Number One in the charts with his 'My Old Man's a Dustman', he had just proved that a silly song sung with a 'twinkle in your eye' and a toe tapping beat could be as strong a chart contender as a Presley song.

Of course Lonnie's stage performance was the best!

That was the first time I ever saw a guy throw off his mega expensive guitar at the end of a song and throw it the full length of the stage to his lead guitar player who caught it and plonked it in the guitar stand beside him....what a trick...how many did he drop before the trick was perfected?  How many radio mics. has Robbie dropped doing his mic. twirling routine?  Lonnie proved that a great stage show could sell records....does yours?

During our many long Summer Seasons at holiday resorts where we were at differing theatres we would all meet for golf!  It got us up in the mornings.  Justin Heywood reminded me, recently, that he was with him in Great Yarmouth....Lonnie's drummer, Pete Appleby would insist on tying his dog to his golf trolley as we played 18 holes....crazy guy!

Lonnie developed heart problems

When Lonnie developed heart problems, he slowed down a lot and we still bumped into him at very private 'do's' thrown by our mutual friend Ross Taylor, my band's stage and TV producer and choreographer at the time.  In fact at cast parties [Yul Bryner's King and I, Petula Clark's Sound of Music]    Lonnie, myself and ...hold your breath, Fiona Richmond, the soft porn Queen, were the only 'outsiders'.  I have the most wonderful stories about those parties.

When he had to cut down on his performances, all his pals, Elton John, Leo Sayer, Brian May, Eric Clapton, Rick Wakeman, all rallied around and recorded a phenomenal album with him...if you ever come across it BUY IT!  It is tasty.  He had a number One from it ...'One for my Baby, One more for the Road'

He moved to Spain and we used to catch up on the stories over a game of golf...like the time his lead guitar player 'stole' my guitar amp. from back stage at the Opera House in Blackpool...Hmmmmmm!  He played me his latest music....and proved to me, without doubt, that live musicians mostly cannot keep time!  We argued a lot about that.   Lonnie was terrified of working with computer generated music.

Lonnie and The Grand Order of Water Rats

He was a keen member of The Grand Order of Water Rats and was scheduled for the up coming benefit album we are releasing....lots of huge names....

Now the amazing 'co-incidence'...or Celestine happening as we say nowadays.

Last Monday Gordon Giltrap, who is the brains behind the album, called me, maybe four times to discuss how we get Lonnie's contribution...Lonnie has never been good at organising himself!  Oh, while I think about it, Martin Guitars have just released a limited edition 'Lonnie Donegan' acoustic guitar with the fingerboard markings in mother of pearl - in the shape of 'rats'....good eh?  We have one to auction at The water Rats Ball at Grosvenor House on 24th November.  Signed by Lonnie...collector's item?

There followed a flurry of Emails to and fro where we formulated a plan.

Hi Dec,

Believe it or not I'm getting VERY close to getting all the tracks together.  I'm waiting on your good self and a possible response from Lonnie and then it's pretty much (subject to my time) all systems go!!

I look forward to receiving your track when your ready my dear and valued pal.

Love,

Gordon and Hilary.

I replied:

 

Gordon

Just a thought....

Con reminded me that Lonnie has not recorded for yonks....so that may be the reason for his reluctance to let you have something for the album.

I can put a backtrack together of a track he suggests [he may even write one or has one written ready to go] ...then he can put his lead voice on plus guitar [if he chooses].  You can also get involved.  We can then post-produce it,  I have excellent back vocals available and between us end up with a stunning track.  Give him the track on the understanding that you can use it for the album.

It can all be done at Stanton Prior.

Regards
Dec,

Gordon replied:

 

This is a GREAT idea,  in YOUR capable hands it will sound wonderful.

Thanks pal, I'm proud to call you my friend.

Warmest of Regards

Gordon

 

The very next phone call was to say that my dear friend, Lonnie, was dead.....co-incidence?  Were all those thoughts all flying about the ether as the dreadful events of his departure from this 'great experience' were happening?  The more I experience phenomenon like that the more I feel that our super, million gigabyte brains are all sending out broadcast signals, as we have thoughts.  I am not in any way religious [I envy those who are, by the way] but I do feel that there is a 'force' which we are all generating!

"Wise People Learn From The Mistakes of Others-"

George Collins

Producers...what do they actually do?

Tim Fister wrote in message ..."Does the producer's ears rule on the choice for issue?"