In my younger days I served time blowing alto and tenor in clubs and dance bands (we call them function bands these days). It was when I was playing at the Lighthouse Club on Feathers' Caravan Site in Whitley Bay that I first met Margaret Falcus.
The bandleader asked the audience if anyone "wanted to do a turn". Margaret, ushered reluctantly towards the stage by her friends, was one of them.
"I only sing jazz" she said which got a smile from me and a frown from our leader. Nevertheless, she got up and sang All of Me. Kay Starr at her jazziest! I was impressed and she became a regular guest. Frankie and Johnny a la George Melly was another knockout number and I couldn't help but notice how her confidence increased with each performance.
When the residency folded, I formed my own 'function band' - the Bill Montgomery Quartet with Margo - and, thanks to Margaret (she hated the Margo tag!), the gigs rolled in.
It was a great time both musically and socially - every gig seemed to end up at a party - and Margaret was invariably the life and soul.
Initially the band comprised myself on tenor, Derek Hunter on piano, Graham Schofield on drums and Ray Johnson on bass guitar.
Graham and Derek left to be replaced by the late Marshall Walker and Brian Chester. Ironically, it was Brian who broke the news to me of her death on Monday.
Although I hadn't heard her sing for maybe 30 years I felt sad that now I never would.
RIP Margaret and condolences to Husband Bob and daughter Shaaron.
Lance.
1 comment :
Although it was a sad occasion, the vicar managed to project an image of the sort of person Margaret was and the full house at The Crem verified it.
Afterwards, at The Rockcliffe, it was good to meet up with Bob and Shaaron, Gloria, Belle and other faces from the dim, but now, not so distant, past.
Memories...where would we be without them?
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