Debbie’s theme word today is Fame.
I suddenly realised I knew a few famous people in the jazz world so digging deep down I came up with these two.
- First up is the great Adelaide Hall and a photograph that I think was taken sometime in the 1970’s on a visit to her flat in London. She was a lovely lady.
2. For the next one I go further back, to the late 1950’s when I was on holiday in the Netherlands with Britain’s own Beryl Bryden who sang with most of the UK jazz bands and the top Continental groups, especially the Dutch Swing College Band and the Fatty George Band in Germany. In the UK, apart from the many bands she worked with, she played washboard on Lonnie Donegan’s famous Rock Island Line, the first skiffle success.
Their fame never rubbed off on me but their friendship was valued.
Link to One Word Sunday at Debbie’s here
MARI'S TRAVELS WITH HER CAMERA 
Great memories for you and great tie in with the challenge!!!
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Fame might not rub off, but rubbing shoulders with the famous is more than most of us manage. I’ve twice eaten at a table near Billy Connolly in an Indian restaurant, but there was a time when most Glaswegians could probably boast that!
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Were you tempted to speak to him or were you more conscious of trying not to appear impressed. I vary between the two when I’m within distance of a celeb I like. I once sat beside Edna O’Brien at a performance at The Royal Shakespeare theatre (we were both alone) but didn’t have the nerve to speak to her. As the curtain came down for the interval and my tongue loosened, she was approached by a member of the company and invited to join them in the Green Room. After that I lost all courage.
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The first time he was deep in conversation with someone. The second time he was at a large round table by himself – they had obviously given him the best seat in the house! On neither occasion did approaching him seem like a good idea because it would have been interrupting either his companionship or his solitude. Most Glaswegians are very blasé anyway, and just let the famous get on with their lives. “Ah kent his faither” is the attitude.*
I’ve also just remembered standing behind Robert Carlyle in the vets once and the guy in front was trying unsuccessfully to engage him in conversation. RC was looking very unimpressed. Having said that, striking up a conversation with someone famous next to me in the theatre would be something I feel I could get away without necessarily mentioning who she was. My London relatives are always shocked when they visit that we make eye contact and even talk to strangers!
* I knew his father – what a struggle it was getting that through autocorrect!
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Such a sweet memories. And, I really loved that second photo of yours.
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Thank you so much. I can hardly be seen behind Beryl but I remember the day so well!
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Fantastic memories you’ve accumulated, Mari. I echo what Suzanne says about your achievements.
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Thanks, Jo. Life is all about memories, isn’t it, and mine do keep me going. I just wish I’d photographed more as I lived them but back in the days, cameras only seemed to be used during holidays. My oldest friend, with whom I worked in London, are currently engaged in dredging up stories of our misspent youth in Fitzrovia and emailing each other. Kids today have no idea!
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Sounds like fun 🤗💗
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Very impressive and you always surprise me with each post about what you have achieved in your life. A life well lived and more to come. I read a comment on someone elses blog that you weren’t feeling so well. Hopefully you are coming right.
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Thank you Susanne, my reply to Jo above applies to this as well. Things have been a bit grim recently, my macular problems have taken a turn for the worse and I’ve had to restrict my computer work, my reading and my TV viewing. On top of covid, missing family etc. it hasn’t been the happiest time and some days it all gets a bit much. But hey! I’m still here and that’s the thing.
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