Not a jazz singer by the widest stretch of the imagination but Kathy Kirby was, nevertheless, one of those charismatic personalities that were around the scene in the 1960s. Plus her association with the Machiavellian Ambrose helped create an aura that interested those of us who viewed the era through our spare pair of non-jazz glasses whilst listening to Radio Caroline.
The girl could sing there was no doubt about that, I'm sure that, had she had the inclination or the opportunity to dip her er toes into the jazz stream after the glory days were over, and the tragedy of her existance unfolded, Kathy had enough real life material to sing the blues as heartfelt as any mama from downtown Kansas City.
There is something macabre and fascinating about our attraction to reading about falling stars - when I say "our" I don't, of course, mean "you and I" but "them".
So it's goodbye Kathy - I wasn't your 'Secret Love' (I remained true to Doris) but I liked you a lot.
Kathy Kirby died May 19, 2011 aged 72.
Lance.
2 comments :
I worked/backed Kathy way back at the Fiesta club at Norton - she was a nice lady, a really good singer, and a true professional.
The first TV show I ever did was with kathy.... a nice Lady.... Mal Maddock
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