31-Mar-2011, 01:04 AM
I've recently been looking through my 'Guiness book of hit singles' and realising (yet again), what a load of c**p there was in the charts in the late 40s and early 50s. Typical No 1s in 1954 were by Eddie Calvert, Stargazers, Doris Day, David Whitfield, Kitty Kallen, Vera Lynn etc, etc. And then, WOW!!! in 1955 the world changed with the arrival of Bill Haley (Seems a little tame now) When the film 'Rock around the clock' was shown in London we read about the kids going wild with excitement. The same thing happened in Brmingham and Manchester and we couldn't wait for it to be shown in Preston or Chorley. Then suddenly and unbelievably it was coming to the Palace in Leyland!!! The owner Victor Bell had somehow managed to acquire a copy.
There were massive queues stretching half way up Chapel Brow and police with dogs were everywhere, including the aisles. Even Mr Bell senior was patrolling the central aisle with his window pole. As Jonnie Ray had sung 'Oh what a night it was ...'
Anyone else remember being there?
There were massive queues stretching half way up Chapel Brow and police with dogs were everywhere, including the aisles. Even Mr Bell senior was patrolling the central aisle with his window pole. As Jonnie Ray had sung 'Oh what a night it was ...'
Anyone else remember being there?