Just had a' flashbac'k to 1963 in between Reginald Dixon was Charles Barlow and the Tower band,who played amongst other pieces "Cheek to Cheek" (with vocals),and "Tea for Two Cha,Cha",i wish i could remember the other numbers, a great time ,i went into the ballroom many times that season as i used to stay with relatives quite often,i knew the tunes off by heart,and which piece followed which.
I wish they would get the proper grand piano attachment working again. Blackpool Council who now own the tower could easily afford to do so. That awful electronic thing sounds appalling.
please don't remove thes photographs,they are lovely,i'm 65 now but i can still remember my father holding me up to see the wurlitzer come up, and a man in a white suit ,who of course was Reginald Dixon,but of course i didn't know,i was 3 years old at the time (1948)and we were about the 2nd or 3rd bay from the rear, on the right side top floor,and the attendants had black and red uniforms and peaked caps,
when you look up at the beutiful ceiling,try to imagine the millions of holiday makers who,for generations have done the same, long gone and forgotten, but all enjoying themselves,just the same as we do today.
@barneyboscoe Thanks for the comments-- perhaps the Dancing will reach greater heights now the council have taken it over. It is a magnificient jewel in Blackpool's crown and a tribute to the foresight and planning of it's founders. rsb.
i remember well ,up to the 60s,the full floor of the ballroom being packed with dancers,then it was made smaller with carpet and tables round the primeter,and a bar, which was sad,now it seems they've made it even smaller with even wider carpet and more tables and chairs,it's such a shame that half of the famous ballroom floor should be hidden.Gosh when i think back, the girls i've chatted up in there in my 'teens,back in the '60s very happy times.
Very many thanks for the photographs,they bring years of many happy memories zooming back,there's one here who really appreciates them,love from an exile living in Ireland.
long live the ballroom just look at it and just listening to the organ is so relaxing i wish i could just play there even just for ten minuites if needs be LONG LIVE THE BLACKPOOL TOWER BALLROOM AND THE MIGHTY WURLITZER
What does it say above the Precenium arch?? Lend Me Discourse I will(or shall) enchant thine ear?? or something like that?? John does it EVERY TIME The organ and the gifted people who play it for us are a national treasure. USA has wonderful instruments ........ BUT NOT the BLACKPOOL STYLE Long live the Tower Ballroom WuRliTzer and all who play on her !
It says "Bid Me Discourse I Will Enchant Thine Ear"
You're absolutely right, the Blackpool sound is unrivalled by any organ anywhere and Reg Dixon himself (were he still alive) would've been very proud of the team of organists (lead by the maestro Phil Kelsall) that have followed in his footsteps.
The words above the Tower stage are 'BID ME DISCOURSE, I WILL ENCHANT THINE EAR' It is a line from Shakespeare's poem 'Venus and Adonis' It's around about line 150 if you want to look it up. 'Venus and Adonis' is a rather long poem!
@Gillyyorkie It says: 'Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear' It's a line from Shakespeare's poem Venus and Adonis. Round about line 150 if you want to take a look.
Thank you RSB for producing this video. It's the nearest thing to being there. I'm not a dancer, but I just love the Blackpool Tower, and just love the atmosphere. You have caught it perfectly in this video. Thank you so much, and always - a big thank-you to John, for allowing us to share his wonderful music.
Just had a' flashbac'k to 1963 in between Reginald Dixon was Charles Barlow and the Tower band,who played amongst other pieces "Cheek to Cheek" (with vocals),and "Tea for Two Cha,Cha",i wish i could remember the other numbers, a great time ,i went into the ballroom many times that season as i used to stay with relatives quite often,i knew the tunes off by heart,and which piece followed which.
barneyboscoe 5 months ago
I wish they would get the proper grand piano attachment working again. Blackpool Council who now own the tower could easily afford to do so. That awful electronic thing sounds appalling.
Wnoronz 8 months ago
please don't remove thes photographs,they are lovely,i'm 65 now but i can still remember my father holding me up to see the wurlitzer come up, and a man in a white suit ,who of course was Reginald Dixon,but of course i didn't know,i was 3 years old at the time (1948)and we were about the 2nd or 3rd bay from the rear, on the right side top floor,and the attendants had black and red uniforms and peaked caps,
barneyboscoe 1 year ago
when you look up at the beutiful ceiling,try to imagine the millions of holiday makers who,for generations have done the same, long gone and forgotten, but all enjoying themselves,just the same as we do today.
barneyboscoe 1 year ago
@barneyboscoe Thanks for the comments-- perhaps the Dancing will reach greater heights now the council have taken it over. It is a magnificient jewel in Blackpool's crown and a tribute to the foresight and planning of it's founders. rsb.
RitaSueBob 1 year ago
@RitaSueBob Dare I ask..have minds been changed,and that we see more wonderful videos in 2011 ??
mukkypup 1 year ago
@RitaSueBob Hi, Brian,
Regarding the Tower Ballroom Fire - if you go on Google ie:Blackpool Ballroom Fire Photos - there are some photos there.
Apparently Blackpool Library on Queen St. have a collection of photos there if you get chance to come to Blackpool.
Regards rsb
RitaSueBob 5 months ago
Well said
adrianswhitehead 8 months ago
i remember well ,up to the 60s,the full floor of the ballroom being packed with dancers,then it was made smaller with carpet and tables round the primeter,and a bar, which was sad,now it seems they've made it even smaller with even wider carpet and more tables and chairs,it's such a shame that half of the famous ballroom floor should be hidden.Gosh when i think back, the girls i've chatted up in there in my 'teens,back in the '60s very happy times.
barneyboscoe 1 year ago
Wishing I was there lol............
HarborGuy 1 year ago
Very many thanks for the photographs,they bring years of many happy memories zooming back,there's one here who really appreciates them,love from an exile living in Ireland.
barneyboscoe 1 year ago
Superb video and many thanks to whoever took the time to take this video.
You really captured the atmosphere of the Blackpool tower ballroom and in such good quality. Spot on mate. A
adrianw1972 2 years ago 2
long live the ballroom just look at it and just listening to the organ is so relaxing i wish i could just play there even just for ten minuites if needs be LONG LIVE THE BLACKPOOL TOWER BALLROOM AND THE MIGHTY WURLITZER
megablocksmad 2 years ago
This is a great piece and its in the exact blackpool stlye
is the actual piece called dancing?
Theyoungorganist01 3 years ago 2
Does anyone have jhons email or ought im desperate to find out what the piece is called
James
Theyoungorganist01 2 years ago
Hi James, the first piece John plays is "Dance in the old fashioned way", made famous over here by Charles Aznavour.
EddieE1977 2 years ago
Cheers eddie much appreciated
James
Theyoungorganist01 2 years ago
Does anyone have a copy of the sheet music ? I have searched everywhere and cant find it!
James
Theyoungorganist01 2 years ago
It is called 'Dance in the Old Fashioned Way'
Wnoronz 2 years ago
What does it say above the Precenium arch?? Lend Me Discourse I will(or shall) enchant thine ear?? or something like that?? John does it EVERY TIME The organ and the gifted people who play it for us are a national treasure. USA has wonderful instruments ........ BUT NOT the BLACKPOOL STYLE Long live the Tower Ballroom WuRliTzer and all who play on her !
Gillyyorkie 3 years ago 5
Very very close,
It says "Bid Me Discourse I Will Enchant Thine Ear"
You're absolutely right, the Blackpool sound is unrivalled by any organ anywhere and Reg Dixon himself (were he still alive) would've been very proud of the team of organists (lead by the maestro Phil Kelsall) that have followed in his footsteps.
Wish that I had the chance :)
The14thDoctor 3 years ago 5
Me too...
adrianw1972 2 years ago
Nice comment. Yes John is very good. Why don't you make this an excuse to visit Blackpool tower ballroom?
I think the words are 'show me discalm and i shall enchant thine ear'
In other words, 'show me your appreciation and i shall gladly entertain you!!'
You had me thinking then, it's one of them questions you might see as the million pound questions on who wants to be a millionare
adrianw1972 2 years ago
The words above the Tower stage are 'BID ME DISCOURSE, I WILL ENCHANT THINE EAR' It is a line from Shakespeare's poem 'Venus and Adonis' It's around about line 150 if you want to look it up. 'Venus and Adonis' is a rather long poem!
Wnoronz 2 years ago
@Gillyyorkie It says: 'Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear' It's a line from Shakespeare's poem Venus and Adonis. Round about line 150 if you want to take a look.
Wnoronz 8 months ago
Thank you RSB for producing this video. It's the nearest thing to being there. I'm not a dancer, but I just love the Blackpool Tower, and just love the atmosphere. You have caught it perfectly in this video. Thank you so much, and always - a big thank-you to John, for allowing us to share his wonderful music.
MrNeelix690 3 years ago 3
Here, here, Fantastic job. Well said.
adrianw1972 2 years ago