Reginald Dixon live at the Tower WurliTzer, Blackpool Part 1 of 3

[wulitzer12]

what you have done here sir is more that you think,im sick of hearing all these organ wannabes slagging Reg off because he apparently couldn't play in strict tempo,what most idiots don't realize is that his recordings of strict tempo dancing was recorded on non constantavaty recording equip and he allso had to give the added non dancers quirk to the music,so to all those who say mr dixon was only a lucky concert organist i want you to get your keyboard set to 93 waltz and swallow your pride

[Electron1944]

@wulitzer12 Fully agree with you. I know a 'wannabee' church organist who, a long time ago, whilst discussing Reg's work, said "He's a VAMP" ???? I pointed out that Reg had FRCO and MBE after HIS name.

[john111257]

what a grand post in a grandeur building with the grandest organist in the world...the best ballroom in the world ever...great respects my deepest thanks

[Electron1944]

@john111257 Thanks John, Hope you can watch the other two parts as well, to enjoy the complete recording.

[ocwmwen]

I have watched all three videos and they take me back over seventy years to the start of my love affair with Blackpool Tower when I watched the organ rise out of the floor with a man in a white suit playing "I do like to be beside the seaside". I am going again next week. Lucky sod.

[Electron1944]

@ocwmwen Thanks for your interest., glad you enjoyed them, have fun next week.

[stentorp]

Lovely recording. Thanks for posting this for everyone. Where you up on a balcony with the microphone?

[Electron1944]

@stentorp Would have preferred better equipment, but a humble coach driver at the time and very poor haha.

Yes, I was sitting in the centre seat, front row of upper balcony at the rear of the ballroom, this was to get the best balance from the whole room.

[Electron1944]

As one of Frank Hare's team of volunteers at Ossett Town Hall, I have had the opportunity to meet a number of prominent Organists, Nigel Ogden, Phil Kelsall, Nicholas Martin, Len Rawle, David Sheperd, Richard Hills, Simon Gledhill, Arnold Loxam, Kevin Morgan and that wonderful Lady Doreen Chadwick among many others and I can honestly say that they are all very approachable and have no aloof attitudes whatsoever. All very nice people and a pleasure to meet.

[wordsmith52]

Excllant. V interesting significant piece of history in all ways. To have been able to meet and speak with Mr Blackpool must have been great. I like the captured audience particiaption - including the singing and stamping on the floor ! you can't get that much nowadays [I know however that not everyone will agree with me on that .] (Also its great to see the trams - Blackpool had the sense to keep them - unlike the so called civic "leaders" of our other cities down south and elsewhere.)

[Electron1944]

@wordsmith52 Fully agree, it's surprising how many places that scrapped their tramways are now spending millions rebuilding them, ah well maybe they will get it right one day haha (don't think I will be holding my breath though)

[wordsmith52]

@Electron1944 You've been fortunate in being able to meet with all those famous theatre organists -it must have been great. Re the trams I doubt if there's any money left to build new schemes but in the meantime we can all be slowly poisened in a fug of diesel fumes. Trams, Blackpool and theatre organs all seem to go togetehr - I wonder if any organists wrote or played a number related to trams, apart perhaps from " The Trolley Song"- although that's a great tune & song of course?

[comptonplus]

How FANTASTIC!!! What a piece of history! Thanks for sharing these!!!!!

[Electron1944]

@comptonplus Very welcome Cameron, if I thought anyone had been interested I would have posted earlier. Hope you enjoy the nostalgia. I actually met Reg (briefly) at the time. A very nice guy.