John Bowdler The Master of The Blackpool Tower Wurlitzer

[BSUnique]

Super super genial! Greedings from Germany! Thanks!

[RitaSueBob]

@BSUnique Happy Christmas and New Year, rsb.

[kinura8]

Can someone tell me the title of the song that begins at 4:40 minutes? Beautiful tune that I'm not familiar with. Thanks, and nice job, John!

[RitaSueBob]

@kinura8 An old tune "Dance in The Old Fashioned Way - Charles Aznavour the French singer made it popular. rsb

[RitaSueBob]

Thanks again for your comments rsb.

[simonsteam]

A Much Worthy sucessor to Reginald Dixon.

[zypp33]

love your vids , they bring this alive ,I now need to come to live performance. Thank you!

[MrDevonpianochris]

Nice Video. Bet the Camera cost a fair bit!? Thanks for sharing!

[RitaSueBob]

@MrDevonpianochris Hi, Thanks for the comments- yes the camera was quite expensive but not quite up to HD standards- but that will be remedied soon - the latest cameras have Dolby 5.1 surround sound so with a good Sennheiser mike the The Wurlitzer can be enhanced on videos, the problem with the Tower Ballroom is the lighting it varies so much and video cameras need plenty of light. cheers rsb.

[MrDevonpianochris]

@RitaSueBob

Ah well its great quality for Standard definiton! Thanks for the Comment.

[RitaSueBob]

Thanks for your comments much appreciated from so far away. It's great that the internet brings us closer together. rsb

[postwar46]

Fantastic and very uplifting. Thanks John: much enjoyed.

[screammac]

blackpool plesurebeach



[screammac]

is the tower ball room geting refurbished cose when i whent it looked like it was falling apart

[alijanlondon]

I notice the tower and tower ballroom opening times have been drastically reduced - only open 5 days a week and evening dancing only on Saturdays. How long has this been the case?  Is business that bad these days?

[asatro66]

Sooo fantastic !!! Great Organ, Great Play and Great filmed performance :)

Thank you for sharing and let us hearing and seeing this !

[dunkuk2k]

hi rsb thanks for the info and taking the time to reply, I really meant the first tune on this particular video it's one I'd love to learn. I was also wondering what sort of style this music is for? being its a fairly slow set, sorry my dance knowledge is not very good! Thanks for posting all the vids, it''s a great channel! dunkuk2k

[earl7138]

'So Tired'

[RitaSueBob]

@earl7138 Wakey Wakey -- go and watch Ballistic -- rsb.

[dunkuk2k]

Great videos RSB, particularly enjoyed this one and the ragtime one where he goes ballistic! Could you tell me the name of the first tune on here please? It's one I always enjoy listening to but never picked up the name of. I'll make it my mission to go see John play at the tower soon I think!

[RitaSueBob]

@dunkuk2k On Ballistic - Blue Goose Rag, Then The Bugle Call Rag, Black and White Rag, and the Twelve St. Rag. cheers rsb.

[wickedunclebill]

Great stuff John, nice to see someone using the piano sound as well- rarely heard for some reason.....

[TheJannance]

Like seems such an insipid word for the joy this playing brought me! Nobody hardly ever listens to or dances to organ music here in the USA. I definitely think we're missing out. Thanks so much for the beautiful minutes we shared here. Jan from Georgia

[HarborGuy]

I truly enjoy this man's music and his personal touch to all he plays.....He is truly a great among a few!

[ELECTONEHS]

Great Organist, John is a true pro and a very kind, friendly man a gent in every way. Long may we continue to hear John's music at the tower and the Technics GA3, A true pro in every way. I would love to hear from others who feel the same.LEE

[ELECTONEHS]

Great clip, John is a wonderful organist, I have known John for some time now and he is, friendly ana easy to chat too, a true gent in every way, long may his association with the tower ballroom continue. Anyone who with the same opinion please e-mail me.LEE

[tassiebush]

thanks for posting these videos john makes the organ come alive

[deaforganist001]

This is fantastic!

I think that the people of the British Isles haven't the foggiest idea how we love them nor can they guess why.

And John! You especially, represent your people well.

Thanks. Thanks tremendously!

[oldbear52]

Great job!!! RitaSueBob! Just wish I lived over there to experience the magnificence in person. Dave from across the pond.

[oldbear52]

Fantastic, but how else does one describe the majestic sound of the Blackpool Tower Ballroom WurliTzer. I have a CD recording by former organist, Ernest Broadbent from the 1998 Music and Memories 'Ernest Broadbent Entertains' and the Mighty WurliTzer still sounds as great as it does on my CD. WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ music is one of the greatest collection of organized sounds made by one person. John is a wonderful master at the console of the Blackpool WurliTzer.Dave from across the pond.

[alijanlondon]

What a nice man to allow himself to be filmed so close. Did the management not object.

[tsf06]

How does this Wurlitzer sound so piano like? Is there something else besides the bells and whistles?

[alijanlondon]

There is a piano there which can be played from the console. It used to be in view on the right of the stage. I don't know where it's located now

[robr55]

Yeah I remember that as a kid...I was fascinated at the way the piano could be played like that. It would be in full view and you could see the keys moving as if there was a ghost pianist! lol

[megablocksmad]

yeah it was a real shame when they replaced it infact the piano is still in its little room and its replacement is on a shelf above it you got to admit that the origanal piano was better

[COUNTBERTI]

fantastic

[Gillyyorkie]

I remember my first visit to Blackpool Tower Ballroom many years ago the Technics organ was playing ( may have been an F3) then the changeover waltze was played and here began a love affair between Theatre Organ and myself which now at 42 is still ongoing Phil Kelsall John Bowdler and the tower team are all very good and I love the Blackpool Style of playing . Thanks for posting . Gilly in Plymouth

[rcpringle]

Wonderful music! I enjoyed every minute of this beautiful organ and very talented organist. Thanks for posting.

[MrNeelix690]

Absolutely wonderful!! John is one of the most entertaining organists I've seen. Your videos are superb. Nice to see the console in such detail. Truly amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[jameskinmond1980]

The last song Lauren is "Dance In The Old Fashione Way". A big hit for Max Bygraves. "John gets great sounds........." As someone who has played this organ many times that is not so difficult. Its designed that way and hugely amplified by electronics. For the organists amongst you, piston 7 on the great, then crescendo pedal in and out, in and out............

[pwgardner]

what do you mean amplified? it is pipes isn't it!!!

[Lauren4077th]

What's the last song he plays? It starts at 4:30.

[RitaSueBob]

Dance in the Old Fashioned Way. RSB

[charlescourtlayton]

A superb organ performer and a nice guy as well,quite approachable unlike the other whom work there the rest are full of there own self importance two come to mind

[cellodudex]

Great to see John on here at last!!

[wrighty205]

Fantastic. Up close and personal with the brilliant John "bouncing" Bowdler... What an honour it must have been to get that close to the WurliTzer too. The stuff of dreams, and thank you everso for posting it. 5'd and faved!

[wurli815]

Wow, very nice. John knows how to get some WONDERFUL sounds out of the Black Pool Tower Wurlitzer. Would love to hear him in person.