Vince Hill returns
It’s a rare occurrence, so forgive us Coventry music fans for getting a little excited, but Coventry singing legend Vince Hill is coming home to his birth city on June 4 at 1.30pm.
The singing sensation celebrates his 85th birthday with an unmissable farewell charity performance, sharing songs and stories from the amazing career which has taken him from the Royal Albert Hall and London Palladium to Sydney Opera House.
For those who don’t know, Vince is a multi-million selling artist, best known for his 1967 mega-hit ‘Edelweiss’ (from The Sound Of Music) and has recorded over 300 songs. He will be signing his new greatest hits album Legacy after the show.
Vince will be accompanied by world class musicians The Ken McCarthy Trio, and joined by some very special friends from his life in showbusiness, including TV comedian Duncan Norvelle, musical theatre star Jane Horn, the jazz/swing orchestra The Coventry Consortium Big Band and host Mark Andrews.
Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the wonderful charitable work that the Belgrade Theatre does to develop the careers of young creative professionals through internships, placements and apprenticeship schemes and foster talent by supporting emerging artists and theatre companies.
Book tickets now from the Belgrade Theatre’s Box Office 024 7655 3055 & website www.belgrade.co.uk.
Sounding Off with Everett Morton
Former Beat drummer Everett Morton returns to the Coventry Music Museum for a very special 40th Anniversary of 2-Tone Sounding Off event on Saturday June 1 at noon.
I get to talk to the Beat Goes Bang drummer and ask him about his early pre Beat days, and his memories of his lost band mates Saxa and Ranking Roger.
The event will also include a chance for audience members to put a question to the man himself. Later on in the evening of June 1, one of Coventry’s most inventive bands, Rooted N Booted, take the stage at Knights venue at The 2-Tone Village, it all kicks off at 4pm.
Reece Bahia
I’m so pleased to see that local singing talent Reece Bahia has signed for the mighty Virgin EMI label!
It seems not that long ago that Reece amazed the audience and us judges at ‘Young Entertainer of The Year’.
He was beyond his years in looks and in talent, with a voice that was as pitch perfect as it was powerful.
I sent my congratulations to Reece and he replied, “Hi Pete, I’m truly lost for words ! It’s a dream come true so after my first year at Thriller live playing Michael Jackson they asked me to extend for another year although I was honoured to play Michael.
“I was passionate about my own music so I turned it down to follow my own solo career. A big risk I know but I had to make the sacrifice. For the last year I have been working with producers in London on my own original work. In January I had a meeting with Virgin EMI and they seemed to like my sound so made me an offer. After going through legals etc I finally signed. Now comes all the hard work to build my fan base and work on more new material so onwards and upwards. Many thanks Reece”.
