Goodbye Mr Blackpool Reginald Dixon Last BBC Broadcast From The Tower

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Goodbye Mr Blackpool Reginald Dixon Last BBC Broadcast From The Tower

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Күн бұрын

Goodbye, Mr Blackpool Reginald Dixon Farewell Broadcast From The world-famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer Organ After 40 years. This time we moved back to 51 years ago to hear the farewell concert broadcast on BBC Radio 2. The next day after it was recorded, Easter Monday 30th March 1970. Several people had asked if I had a copy of this last Reginald Dixon Radio 2 broadcast from the Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer organ. I have been working on this for several weeks to get it as best as possible. And well, to be honest, it's still not the greatest recording, but well, it was recorded on a reel to reel mono 1960s tape recorder straight recoded from a radio set in 1970. So for the age and limitations, I don't suppose it's too bad. Funny listening to this again, I felt quite sad. It sure was a little bit of history coming to an end. What can I say about Reginald Dixon that has not been said already? Still, he truly was Mr Blackpool. In that long period, he entertained the Blackpool holidaymakers, dancers and radio listeners in his wonderful cheerful brilliant playing style. Looking back as we can now, it was great how he continued to play for a good number of years after this and even continued to broadcast for the BBC on the Ex Empress Wurlitzer when it went to the BBC Play House Theatre Manchester. He was when I was growing up my organ hero for sure and still is today. Oh, and just to add, some younger listeners might find it odd that the BBC Radio 2 Announcer interrupted this broadcast with a Shipping Forecast Gale Warning! But back then it has to be remembered Radio 2 was broadcast on the old Light programme 1500 Meters Long Wave where BBC Radio 4 still is today a lot of fishing vessels and coaster boats etc. Relied on the old Long Wave for weather shipping forecasts and gale information back then. The Long Wave signal use to travel a long way if you ever went to France or the near continent in the 1960s or early 1970s you could hear BBC Radio 2 on 1500 meters Long Wave right down into France and Belgium even Spain in good conditions. I did also check the Blackpool weather for Easter Monday 1970, and guess what? Yes, it was blowing a gale lashing down with rain, and it was only 8c Temp wise, so it felt cold! Happy days.
00:00 Intro.
00:01:31 Reginald Dixon.
00:07:32 Vince Hill. Song.
00:12:09 Northern Dance Orchestra.
00:14:48 Vince Hill Introduces Reginald Dixon.
00:15:10 Reginald Dixon.
00:27:42 Vince Hill
00:28:34 Robin Richmond BBC Presents A Small Replica Wurlitzer Console.
00:31:00 Vince Hill. Song.
00:34:35 Vince Hill. Introduces Reginald Dixon.
00:35:26 Reginald Dixon.
00:36:34 BBC Radio 2. Announcer "Gale Warning".
00:37:14 Back To Reginald Dixon.
00:38:55 Vince Hill Introduces Reginald Dixon.
00:39:09 Reginald Dixon. "Storm At Sea".
00:47:33 Vince Hill. Introduces Reginald Dixon.
00:49:00 Reginald Dixon. "Last Tower Sing Song"
00:57:57 Vince Hill. Goodbye.
00:58:32 Farewell for the last time from Reginald Dixon at the Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer Organ.
01:00:00 End Credits.

Пікірлер: 23

@billbickley2277 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful Playing as always....................................Bill Bickley UK

@BramleyProductions 2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks for your most kind comment. Kev.

@James.E.Newman.1966 11 ай бұрын

I wonder if Reg Dixon ever thought (at the time of this concert in 1970) that this organ would still be popular and played 50+ years later in the 2020's. Imagine, in 1970 and thinking of 50 years time. A very long way away into the future!

@brianmarsden6541 3 жыл бұрын

Thank You very much for giving us the opportunity to hear again such a nostalgic programme. I was privileged to be at Mr Dixon's FAREWELL CONCERT on Easter Sunday, March 29th 1970. The broadcast - which I also heard on Easter Monday morning - may not have quite captured the atmosphere of the night before but it has been lovely to hear once again 51 years later! Much appreciated!

@BramleyProductions 3 жыл бұрын

Many thanks No I fully understand there would be nothing like being there in person to get the total atmosphere of that evening in the Tower Ballroom, And the radio sadly will never capture that. Many thanks, great to know you were there. Kev.

@johnhartley5002 3 жыл бұрын

@@BramleyProductions Thank you, I just live in hope that a Stereo copy will turn up one day recorded on a tape recorder the caliber of ferrograh series 6 or a revox G36.

@BramleyProductions 3 жыл бұрын

@@johnhartley5002 Well you never know what might turn up! I did my best back then! With the very basic kit, I had and buying tapes with pocket money! I have just uploaded the highlights of the first half of this Reg Dixon farewell concert and that was broadcast on the BBC Organist Entertains Radio 2 programme of 02/04/1970. Kev.

@johnhartley5002 3 жыл бұрын

@@BramleyProductions Brilliant thank you

@peterstirzaker1935 3 жыл бұрын

Reginald Dixon ( MR, BLACKPOOL) no one will ever Replace Him the Greatest Organist this country ever had, R I P Reg you’ll never be forgotten.

@BramleyProductions 3 жыл бұрын

Quiet agree, well said! Thanks, kev.

@johnhartley5002 2 жыл бұрын

This is still brilliant and it's only thanks to the work you have done on these two old recordings that we can hear these at all as even the BBC don't have them now which is scandalous when you think about it with this being such an historical event, I just wonder if the shipping forecast was also transmitted on the VHF/ FM broadcast.

@BramleyProductions 2 жыл бұрын

@@johnhartley5002 Many thanks for your kind comment. Yes as I have said before you did your best back then with what you had so recording was not so good sadly. And so many people just taped over things many times as tape was so expensive back then. Not sure but I doubt the gale warning was on VHF or what we call FM today! It all almost seemed like that had been done as a bit of a joke when he was playing storm at sea I did check the weather forecast and there really were gales the weather had been horrid that whole Easter weekend back then even frost and snow in place. Thanks for your kind comment Kev.

@Angus2020 3 жыл бұрын

Fabulous! Unfortunately before my time. However, I do have one of the ORIGINAL programmes from the night. Just happened to be in the Tower Ballroom one day (early 2000's) and there were a few on sale at the end of the bar along with the CDs etc. I made some enquiries, thinking they were reproductions. Someone at the tower was having a bit of a clear out and found a box of these original programmes!!

@BramleyProductions 3 жыл бұрын

Quite amazing for sure! That's like the old saying of just being in the right place at the right time. Great to hear that you brought one. And you could imagine that happening at a place like the Tower! Thanks, Kev.

@johnhartley5002 3 жыл бұрын

This is brilliant, what is the date of this broadcast? Does anyone out there have the have the farewell concert from Easter Sunday on the 29th March 1970, I know the BBC don't as I've already asked, thats somthing I woukd love to hear, John

@BramleyProductions 3 жыл бұрын

@@johnhartley5002 Hi thanks, This is the second half of that said farewell concert of Easter Sunday 1970! And this was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 Easter Monday morning 1970. Kev.

@johnhartley5002 3 жыл бұрын

@@BramleyProductions Many thanks, you don't happen to have the first have do you?

@BramleyProductions 3 жыл бұрын

@@johnhartley5002 Many thanks, Sadly I don't think the first half was ever broadcast to my knowledge? There were odd highlights broadcast on The Organist Entertains hosted by Robin Richmond which I do have and could post in time. But as far as I am aware the first part was never aired on the radio in full unless I have been told wrong that is! I doubt with their recording commitments to EMI Both Reg Dixon and Ernest Broadbent that anyone would have dared or been allowed to take a tape recorder into the Tower Ballroom either maybe the BBC did record the whole concert but that would have been lost by now. But I will keep looking out on tapes for sure. Many thanks for your comments. Kev.

@vaslav030547 2 жыл бұрын

I have always regarded Charlie Cairoli as 'Mr Blackpool'. A talented multi instrumentalist and slapstick clown that gave joy to so many children and adults alike for decades. He had an amazing background history before too.

@BramleyProductions 2 жыл бұрын

Indeed I agree! But I think Reg Dixon's 40 years a the Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer organ plus the huge number of BBC broadcasts he gave earned him this title of Mr Blackpool. Certainly, Charlie Cairoli was as you so rightly say was another Blackpool legend the likes we don't see these days Thanks for your super comment. Kev.

@OrganMusicYT Жыл бұрын

Reg was THE Mr. Blackpool. From 1930 to 1970, he captivated millions of listeners with his broadcasts, totaling over 3000 during his illustrious career. The sounds of Reg's Wurlitzer organ reached listeners not only across the UK but also throughout Europe and the British Empire. It was no surprise that he received an abundance of fan mail from admirers in far-flung places such as India, Italy, Canada, Africa, the US, and Australia. Reg's talents were not limited to the airwaves alone. He was also a prolific recording artist, leaving a lasting legacy through over 400 records he produced. Notably, his 78rpm records (of which there are 300) were printed and distributed not just in the UK, but in various corners of the world including Europe, Australia, India, and Canada. Reg's popularity was evident in the tremendous crowds he attracted, with an estimated audience of around 2 million people filling the Ballroom each year to dance to his music with their sweetheart (or meet their sweetheart!), hear him perform at one of his Sunday concerts, or take part as an audience member in one of the broadcasts. His performances were undoubtedly a highlight for locals and tourists alike. Perhaps one of his most enduring contributions was his signature tune, "I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside." This catchy melody became synonymous with the British seaside experience, and it is not uncommon to hear it playing in the background of seaside scenes on TV or in advertisements. Reg's impact on Blackpool's entertainment scene was unparalleled, with no other resident entertainer even coming close to replicating the influence he had on the town. Thanks to him, the Wurlitzer pipe organ stayed at the Tower ballroom and was eventually replaced with a new one to Reg's specification. Reg and the Wurlitzer were so popular that the Empress Ballroom had one installed as well as the Opera House and the Palace Ballroom and several other Blackpool venues. Reg truly held a special place in the hearts of the people and will forever be remembered as the iconic Mr. Blackpool, Reginald Dixon.