R2OK!

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5767 Location: Hampshire

If anyone cares to dip into Clare Teal's programme from last Sunday (30 May) do listen to my late friend Roy Willox playing "Eloquence" at the RFH Farewell Concert by the Ted Heath Orchestra. It starts just after 46 minutes in and he is introduced by Don Lusher (who played on the previous track).

Last year I co-wrote Roy's biography with his son. Copies available from me £10 plus £4 P&P. All sales money goes to the charity "Help Musicians" (Patron is HM the Queen)

https://londonjazznews.com/2020/10/29/andrew-willox-and-eileen-mann-i-think-we-have-a-find-a-biography-of-roy-willox/

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

Oh Eileen I did hear that part of the show and heard the name Don Lusher, which I recognised, but I don't think heard mention of your friend. Will listen back as I enjoyed Sunday's show.

How lovely that he was mentioned though. Have you emailed Clare about it? I'm sure she would be interested.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5767 Location: Hampshire

Yes, Helen, I emailed Clare straightaway to thank her. After Roy died in November 2019, I emailed her to ask her to play that recording of "Eloquence" which she did and included his introduction on that memorable evening which I attended in December 2000.

Roy was rather "under the radar" as far as the general public was concerned but he was well known in the music business and among big band fans.

I sent Clare a copy of the biography.

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

It was good to hear that. I know that Ted Heath and his Music is one of Clare's favourites, mine too, ever since I first heard it as a young lad in the 1950s. It was a shining, tight and powerful beacon amongst the fog of most of the Light Programme's music programming then.

I have several LPs and CDs of the band, including that Farewell Concert in 2000. It sounded a very special, warm and slightly emotional occasion.
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Ron

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

I've finally got around to listening to Roy's sax playing. Superb.

Sadly, my memories of Ted Heath and his Orchestra are limited to some old Decca 78s we had at home and a few glimpses on the TV back in the late 50's. I think we also had a 45 of his as well, come to think of it. Must have been one of my Mum's. I'd have been more into Little White Bull and When You Come To The End Of A Lollipop and Tulips From Amsterdam, three Decca favourites which were more often than not, loaded by a three year old me onto the radiogram at the time.
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life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6814

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5767 Location: Hampshire

Thank you for the nice comments. Andrew and I couldn't have written the biography without the help of each other. We worked well together during several months of lockdown.