Thursday, March 17, 2016

Lee Andrews and stars of TV - RIP

Let's say farewell to a doowop artist who later had a Northern Soul hit - Lee Andrews, who has died at the age of 79. And to a whole raft of UK TV personalities of the sixties and seventies who seem to have crashed out of this life at around the same time and whose deaths I haven't yet mentioned.
Lee Andrews, from Philadelphia, and the Hearts recorded some excellent doowop records for a
number of labels in the late fifties including Gotham, Chess and United Artists. These included Long Lonely Nights (a hit for Clyde McPhatter), Teardrops and Try The Impossible - the latter two are highly collectable London 45s. After breaking up with his group and continuing to record intermittently, the Hearts reformed and recorded the Northern favourite Never The Less. Later he was with Congress Alley and his son Questlove is the drummer with Roots (I've never heard of him I'm afraid but apparently they are well known).   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xgryrspbLo
Now a quick run through of the British TV people who have died recently (apologies to American readers who will most likely not have heard of any of them).
Magician Paul Daniels was a mainstay of Saturday night TV for around 20 years, along with his assistant and, later, wife, the 'lovely' Debbie McGee. His catchphrase was 'You'll like it - not a lot - but you'll like it', which was true I suppose.
Presenter Cliff Michelmore virtually invented the role of TV presenter with the Tonight show in the fifties and sixties and he was present for General Elections and space shots throughout that time. Later he presented the Holiday show but most tributes have featured an interview he did with David Bowie (David Jones as he then was) in 1964 when the young David was pleading for protection of men with long hair.
Tony Warren was the creator of Coronation Street, a programme which first aired in 1960 and which is still going strong. I confess to being a Corrie fan and have watched it, off and on, for all of its 56 year history.
Sylvia Anderson was the co-creator of Thunderbirds and other puppet series of the era and was the voice of Lady Penelope. I always had a soft spot for her Ladyship and her faithful chauffeur Parker. I've been looking for a Lady Penelope ever since I think!
Finally, and admittedly his death was some time ago, I must pay a belated tribute to Sir Terry Wogan, who brought his lighthearted Irish charm to TV and radio over several decades and who was the first to take the piss - very deservedly - out of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Thanks to you all and RIP.

1 Comments:

At 9:12 pm , Anonymous Darren Vidler said...

Another Great loss and another not brought over to play Hemsby etc
R.I.P Lee

 

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