I DIDNT REMEMBER THIS WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT (BEING ONLY 6 AT THE TIME - DIDNT REALLY LISTEN TO MUSIC PROPERLY (IT WAS WHEN I WAS 10 (AROUND THE TIME WHEN BEATLEMANIA FIRST HAPPENED) ITS STILL A GREAT SONG TO LISTEN TO (EVEN THUGH ITS OVER 50 YEARS OLD)
@minxeyboy : Fascinating post. I would like to encourage you to get all your memories down on paper - or into a dictation machine- before they fade. You were an eyewitness to musical historyand your recollections would be of enormous interest to the "Russ Conway Community" - if i can call it that.
@newsnetuk what a lovely idea i am always being told i should write a book some of the things that happened to us on the road and in the theatres you would not believe from the time i sneaked into his dressing room at the PALLADIUM to the time of his death it was all fun fun fun and hardley a cross word like when he put my socks in the microwave to dry off and they caught light and melted put me on the right road for hit...tra
please like my facebook page on russ because as i am related to him so we want to find out more information about him - you can post on the wall and post any videos or images that you have! we only have 4 people liking the page at the moment so please help me! thankyou! hope you all enjoy his music! (the profile picture is black and white and he is sitting at the piano)
Yes Russ lost a top of one finger in a bread slicer when he was young.
He was best mates with my father who us also a pianist and entertainer (although 84 yrs old now). My father was with Russ at his bedside when he passed away. They were also in the navy together.
I have pictures of him with my brother and I circa 1956/7, when we used to call him 'Uncle Russ'
I heard it on the Chris Evan show aswell, and it brought back many good memories, lets hope Chris plays it as much as the candyman. Russ could really play and its a shame but i doubt if we will "hear" the likes of him again.
I remember watching Russ Conway as a child and wanting to play the piano. He really could "tickle" those ivorys. So nice to hear him on Chris Evans this morning, played this tune twice! Maybe he'll get into the charts again?
I just lucked into these tunes by Russ Conway. Wow, this guy was good! I am a big fan of Joe "Fingers" Carr, and this tune reminds me of him. Being an English artist, we didn't have the benfit of seeing him on TV here in the states. thanks for posting.
Just popped by on my daughters pc, don't know why I started thinking of Russ Conway strange the things that go through the mind at times. I knew him or rather my Mother and Father knew him better when I was little. I saw him a lot, and his partner. He as I remember him was always a lovely man, and someone who made time to stop and talk to people if they spotted him out and about.
If it's a bum note, then.. he's human. Russ didn't really look comfy from the beginning. But equally could have been a duff piano. I regularly play an elderly grand piano at work for events and even when it's freshly tuned it's hellish..like running through treacle with wellies on. Some keys are heavy and slow, others light and bouncy It catches me out all time and I'm used to playing all kinds of manky pub pianos.
Anyway good to see Russ playing his big hit. Top man :)
@honkytonklimey well said friend russ always prefered a stienway because the action was very sharp and responsive he did not look happy from the start i do not think he had the great don shearman as MD on that occasion plus he always suffered from nerves especially when playing live i was lucky enough to be by his side on hundreds of occasions over thirty years as his PA and .........i could write a book on the good times had he was a one off pro .
Russ Conway had a stroke and fought his way back to play again after being told he would never perform any more. He wrote this piece himself at it became his signature tune
I have great love for Russ Conway music as I remember my step-mum Elsie Joanes with love also, she loved his music. I had a breakdown and was unable to see her, but I always listen to his music to remind me of her.
Think your comment is maybe slightly over the top. If he did have a nervous breakdown, not sure comments posted on YouTube were a contributory factor.
Really don't see anything wrong with commenting on the clips posted, and in any case, none of the remarks are in any way derogatory. Russ was my hero, and I play his music in my head every day. I would have given the top joint of my third finger to have met him. MarcusT
i think you are now getting all abit picky about bum notes and technicalities its Russ on Youtube not live at The Palladium he continued to entertain at the ripe old age of 75 until his passing in 2000 so come on raise a glass for agreat showman x
In 1959 Russ was at his peak as a performer, and his playing was fresh and full of vitality, so a comparison with the later c1973 clip will show up some slight differences in his style (his playing was never quite so free and easy following his stroke in the mid 60s) and in any case, Side Saddle will never sound that great on a grand piano.
However, Russ was the master on this kind of music and we just need to see more clips posted on YouTube.
In actual fact this is a bum piano, as Russ occasionally dropped one, but not in the same passage over and over again. He looks uncomfortable from the start at this piano and I'm surprised he agreed to broadcast on this instrument. I'm sure a piano technician could explain exactly what the problem is here. Russ was a great guy, I had a letter from him about a year before he died. Very revealing about his views on modern day entertainment I have to say.
What are you on about? All musicians play the odd wrong note - and sometimes sounds better than some ridiculous clean performance - where you may as well just stick on a CD.
The best musicians can improvise on the spot - bum notes or not.
I think you need to think about what you say before typing such ill thought out tatter.
Welcome to being a human being. We all make mistakes all the time - and you just made one of the biggest by what you said.
Trevor Herbert Stanford RIP.
booktop 6 days ago
I DIDNT REMEMBER THIS WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT (BEING ONLY 6 AT THE TIME - DIDNT REALLY LISTEN TO MUSIC PROPERLY (IT WAS WHEN I WAS 10 (AROUND THE TIME WHEN BEATLEMANIA FIRST HAPPENED) ITS STILL A GREAT SONG TO LISTEN TO (EVEN THUGH ITS OVER 50 YEARS OLD)
gilllew 1 month ago
Brilliant..Simply Brilliant...Better Than Libber-WhatHisFace!!!....
SexGodDotCom 3 months ago
@minxeyboy : Fascinating post. I would like to encourage you to get all your memories down on paper - or into a dictation machine- before they fade. You were an eyewitness to musical historyand your recollections would be of enormous interest to the "Russ Conway Community" - if i can call it that.
newsnetuk 3 months ago
@newsnetuk what a lovely idea i am always being told i should write a book some of the things that happened to us on the road and in the theatres you would not believe from the time i sneaked into his dressing room at the PALLADIUM to the time of his death it was all fun fun fun and hardley a cross word like when he put my socks in the microwave to dry off and they caught light and melted put me on the right road for hit...tra
minxeyboy 3 days ago
There's no such thing as a wrong note... Just a note in the wrong place!
woodlist 7 months ago
Thank you to Chris Evans for introducing me to this incredible talent x
beccabee1974 7 months ago
legend russ brillb!!
thedugsbollox 7 months ago
please like my facebook page on russ because as i am related to him so we want to find out more information about him - you can post on the wall and post any videos or images that you have! we only have 4 people liking the page at the moment so please help me! thankyou! hope you all enjoy his music! (the profile picture is black and white and he is sitting at the piano)
TheBrainiac25 7 months ago
being related to him i am pleased to see we had some talent in the family - rip russ!
TheBrainiac25 7 months ago
my dad knew russ as well .
millwallpaul76 8 months ago
Yes Russ lost a top of one finger in a bread slicer when he was young.
He was best mates with my father who us also a pianist and entertainer (although 84 yrs old now). My father was with Russ at his bedside when he passed away. They were also in the navy together.
I have pictures of him with my brother and I circa 1956/7, when we used to call him 'Uncle Russ'
Kazanskoe57 8 months ago
@Kazanskoe57 i was suprised to hear your father was at russes bedside when he passed away he died on his own in his sleep
minxeyboy 3 months ago
I remember Russ Conway.......Did he have 1 finger shorter then the rest?
Robby334 9 months ago
@Robby334
Yes he did
SuperRosie123 6 months ago
I heard it on the Chris Evan show aswell, and it brought back many good memories, lets hope Chris plays it as much as the candyman. Russ could really play and its a shame but i doubt if we will "hear" the likes of him again.
shipahoy1000 11 months ago
I remember watching Russ Conway as a child and wanting to play the piano. He really could "tickle" those ivorys. So nice to hear him on Chris Evans this morning, played this tune twice! Maybe he'll get into the charts again?
puglady123 1 year ago
Russ Conway, we need more
Rockape593 1 year ago
I REMEMBER HE USED TO BE ON THE Billy Cottons Band Show an Saturday Nite Wakey Wakey
punjabimike 1 year ago
I just lucked into these tunes by Russ Conway. Wow, this guy was good! I am a big fan of Joe "Fingers" Carr, and this tune reminds me of him. Being an English artist, we didn't have the benfit of seeing him on TV here in the states. thanks for posting.
2n918 2 years ago
Just popped by on my daughters pc, don't know why I started thinking of Russ Conway strange the things that go through the mind at times. I knew him or rather my Mother and Father knew him better when I was little. I saw him a lot, and his partner. He as I remember him was always a lovely man, and someone who made time to stop and talk to people if they spotted him out and about.
Tanith72 2 years ago
partner ?? you are correct about the time he spent with people.l had over ten happy yaers working with him
richardhope 2 years ago
I love it! Now I know what Jean and Dolly were on about all the time in 'Dinnerladies'!
afjguk 2 years ago
And 'Sidesaddle' was the song French & Saunders used in their version of 'The Piano'.
Such an influence on popular culture!
afjguk 2 years ago
lovely jubbly , for Russ conway , he was one of the best ,and so good looking too ,
what a great guy , loed his playing , ans still do play his cassettes in my car , ooooooooooooooooooooooooo yes
peardrop1000 2 years ago
Any one else thinks he looks a bit like Tery Wogan?
olympus0707 2 years ago
@Dynamitebaiter
briartlaw 2 years ago
If it's a bum note, then.. he's human. Russ didn't really look comfy from the beginning. But equally could have been a duff piano. I regularly play an elderly grand piano at work for events and even when it's freshly tuned it's hellish..like running through treacle with wellies on. Some keys are heavy and slow, others light and bouncy It catches me out all time and I'm used to playing all kinds of manky pub pianos.
Anyway good to see Russ playing his big hit. Top man :)
honkytonklimey 2 years ago
@honkytonklimey well said friend russ always prefered a stienway because the action was very sharp and responsive he did not look happy from the start i do not think he had the great don shearman as MD on that occasion plus he always suffered from nerves especially when playing live i was lucky enough to be by his side on hundreds of occasions over thirty years as his PA and .........i could write a book on the good times had he was a one off pro .
minxeyboy 3 months ago
ha ha, russ u legend!
PeterWilson6H 2 years ago
Russ Conway had a stroke and fought his way back to play again after being told he would never perform any more. He wrote this piece himself at it became his signature tune
tallandhandsome29 2 years ago 2
I agree 100 percent with @ johndehaura
I've heard it already in my childhood, could not identify his game.
But when I heard him again years later, I was immediately smitten.
He is really unique and do not criticize too! - who could criticize Picasso;)))
I have seen paintings by famous artists that were not completed, and critics have praised it!
I'm very happy to listen Russ Conway in color;) Thx so much for this Uploading !!!
ladyloveforevenmore 2 years ago 2
I have great love for Russ Conway music as I remember my step-mum Elsie Joanes with love also, she loved his music. I had a breakdown and was unable to see her, but I always listen to his music to remind me of her.
kernowpisky 2 years ago
I have great love for Russ conway music as i remember my step-mum Elsie Joanes with love also, she loved his music
kernowpisky 2 years ago
Top bloke,great era!!
routebb 2 years ago
As I've pointed out elsewhere, he originated a reverse-stride style and few pianists are fit to polish his pedals
eruptionista 2 years ago
@eruptionista Oh...that reverse-stride business is to die for! What a sound! Isn't it wonderful?
PonyExpressTHIS 1 year ago
No wonder he had a nervous breakdown with all you b******s about
eruptionista 2 years ago
Think your comment is maybe slightly over the top. If he did have a nervous breakdown, not sure comments posted on YouTube were a contributory factor.
Really don't see anything wrong with commenting on the clips posted, and in any case, none of the remarks are in any way derogatory. Russ was my hero, and I play his music in my head every day. I would have given the top joint of my third finger to have met him. MarcusT
MarcusTomatos 2 years ago
has anybody got pepe by russ??? please post if you do thanks
janet290756 2 years ago
ALL acts do dumb notes once in a while! Who cares? This is LIVE talent! RIP RC!
lincsposter 2 years ago
i think you are now getting all abit picky about bum notes and technicalities its Russ on Youtube not live at The Palladium he continued to entertain at the ripe old age of 75 until his passing in 2000 so come on raise a glass for agreat showman x
Cartier6 2 years ago 3
The drummer screwed up big-time with an 8th note High Hat routine rather than brushes (dotted swung rhythm) as per the original...
CityMuso 2 years ago
Still can't hear the wrong note at 0.40, but there does seem to be a mistake during the intro section.
MarcusTomatos 2 years ago
In 1959 Russ was at his peak as a performer, and his playing was fresh and full of vitality, so a comparison with the later c1973 clip will show up some slight differences in his style (his playing was never quite so free and easy following his stroke in the mid 60s) and in any case, Side Saddle will never sound that great on a grand piano.
However, Russ was the master on this kind of music and we just need to see more clips posted on YouTube.
MarcusTomatos 2 years ago
Whether the mistakes are Russ's or the piano's, this performance is nowhere near as good as the one from 1959, also posted on YouTube.
paulprocopolis 2 years ago
In actual fact this is a bum piano, as Russ occasionally dropped one, but not in the same passage over and over again. He looks uncomfortable from the start at this piano and I'm surprised he agreed to broadcast on this instrument. I'm sure a piano technician could explain exactly what the problem is here. Russ was a great guy, I had a letter from him about a year before he died. Very revealing about his views on modern day entertainment I have to say.
knausspiano 2 years ago
shame about the bum note at 0:40
cubestation 2 years ago
What are you on about? All musicians play the odd wrong note - and sometimes sounds better than some ridiculous clean performance - where you may as well just stick on a CD.
The best musicians can improvise on the spot - bum notes or not.
I think you need to think about what you say before typing such ill thought out tatter.
Welcome to being a human being. We all make mistakes all the time - and you just made one of the biggest by what you said.
x
johndehaura 2 years ago 17
@johndehaura Well said matey. Completley agree.
miles200 1 year ago
Bravo!!!
teslashield 2 years ago
Excellent. We need more videos of the great russ conway on you tube.
NicolaBurrow 3 years ago 10
Your vid should do well there are a lot of Russ Conway Fans out there and he is putting in little bits I have not heard before. Wonderful Stuff.
forwardtenth 3 years ago
Superb performance. Sidesaddle was the first of his two No.1 hits.
regentlad 3 years ago
Side Saddle was one of Russ's best!
annie482000 3 years ago