Matt at the pub
- Chris Kelly
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:23 pm
- Location: Widnes Cheshire
Matt at the pub
My good friend has just told me a story about Matt before he was famous.
"By the way, if i haven't told you before, I knew Matt Monro personally. He used to drive the 14 bus in London, and would come in the Favourite pub, which was at the terminus in Hornsey Rise, where my late sister lived. Him and I and my brother Chris always used get up and give a song. Matt's name at the time was Terry something, I can't quite remember. He was a very modest guy. He'd come in regularly, order a pint, sing about two songs, backed by the pub's piano and drums, and then get back into his bus outside. No gimmicks, no outlandishness, just simply a great voice, which we congratulated him on many times. We were more extrovert, although he he did compliment me once when I sang Song of Songs. (Mario Lanza and Perry Como recorded it)
He would always sing the classy songs like, Embraceable You, My Funny Valentine, Someone To Watch Over Me. You know, Gershwin, Rodgers& Hart stuff.
I always remember he would often sing a song called, Met a Girl In Calico from the 1940's. I'd never heard it before but he sang it really great in laid back style."
"By the way, if i haven't told you before, I knew Matt Monro personally. He used to drive the 14 bus in London, and would come in the Favourite pub, which was at the terminus in Hornsey Rise, where my late sister lived. Him and I and my brother Chris always used get up and give a song. Matt's name at the time was Terry something, I can't quite remember. He was a very modest guy. He'd come in regularly, order a pint, sing about two songs, backed by the pub's piano and drums, and then get back into his bus outside. No gimmicks, no outlandishness, just simply a great voice, which we congratulated him on many times. We were more extrovert, although he he did compliment me once when I sang Song of Songs. (Mario Lanza and Perry Como recorded it)
He would always sing the classy songs like, Embraceable You, My Funny Valentine, Someone To Watch Over Me. You know, Gershwin, Rodgers& Hart stuff.
I always remember he would often sing a song called, Met a Girl In Calico from the 1940's. I'd never heard it before but he sang it really great in laid back style."
- Lena & Harry Smith
- Posts: 21514
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:05 am
- Location: London UK
We were confused at first too Robert, specially the personal friend bit, as Chris is only 49 now and Matt would be 78, but can see now that it was Chris's friend who was the personal friend of Matt's when Matt was driving a No 14 bus : ? and has a brother named Chris, and this was a continuing letter or e-mail ?? that he was writing to Chris ....... GOT IT ...i We've only just.
Hi Chris,
I enjoyed the story of your friend reminiscing about Matt.
Not sure he drove a number 14 bus though, I believe it was 27, but he was definately in Hornsey Rise in those days.
I have heard the song that begins Met a Girl in Calico.. I believe it continues
'down in Santa Fe' then something about my Romeo, 'til she rode away.'
Maybe Lena and Harry can fill in the rest, they have a wonderful knowledge of songs from that era.
Marian
I enjoyed the story of your friend reminiscing about Matt.
Not sure he drove a number 14 bus though, I believe it was 27, but he was definately in Hornsey Rise in those days.
I have heard the song that begins Met a Girl in Calico.. I believe it continues
'down in Santa Fe' then something about my Romeo, 'til she rode away.'
Maybe Lena and Harry can fill in the rest, they have a wonderful knowledge of songs from that era.
Marian
- Lena & Harry Smith
- Posts: 21514
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:05 am
- Location: London UK
Sure do remember this one Marian....
Met a Gal In Calico. Down In Santa Fe.
Used To Be Her Sunday Beau, Till I Rode Away,
Do I Want Her Do I Want Her Love Yes Siree.
Will I Win Her Will I Win Her Love Wait And See.
Working With A rodeo Go From Town To Town
See Most Every Kind Of Gal, In Every Kind Of Gown,
But Who Makes My Heart Sing , Yippee I Yippee O
My Little Gal In Calico..
Met a Gal In Calico. Down In Santa Fe.
Used To Be Her Sunday Beau, Till I Rode Away,
Do I Want Her Do I Want Her Love Yes Siree.
Will I Win Her Will I Win Her Love Wait And See.
Working With A rodeo Go From Town To Town
See Most Every Kind Of Gal, In Every Kind Of Gown,
But Who Makes My Heart Sing , Yippee I Yippee O
My Little Gal In Calico..
- Lena & Harry Smith
- Posts: 21514
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:05 am
- Location: London UK
- Chris Kelly
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:23 pm
- Location: Widnes Cheshire
- Lena & Harry Smith
- Posts: 21514
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:05 am
- Location: London UK
- Chris Kelly
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:23 pm
- Location: Widnes Cheshire
My friend says this.
"No, didn't know him after he'd made the big time.
It must have been 1959 or 1960 when we first knew himin the pub cos i remember he had his first hit (either POML or My Kind Of Girl) in March 1961, when i was working in Northampton as a pipe-fitter's labourer at the Carlsberg brewery. It seemed so old fashioned at the time I thought he'd just be a flash-in-the-pan. But then I thought the same about the Beatles in 1962!"
"No, didn't know him after he'd made the big time.
It must have been 1959 or 1960 when we first knew himin the pub cos i remember he had his first hit (either POML or My Kind Of Girl) in March 1961, when i was working in Northampton as a pipe-fitter's labourer at the Carlsberg brewery. It seemed so old fashioned at the time I thought he'd just be a flash-in-the-pan. But then I thought the same about the Beatles in 1962!"
- keithgood838
- Posts: 2478
- Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:30 pm
Hi Chris
I love your relayed reminiscence about Matt; I didn't have
the good fortune to meet him personally, however the
description of his personality is precisely as I imagine it.
I sank the occasional pint at The Favourite; it's gone now,
alas, a casualty of the developers' wrecking-ball.
Keith
I love your relayed reminiscence about Matt; I didn't have
the good fortune to meet him personally, however the
description of his personality is precisely as I imagine it.
I sank the occasional pint at The Favourite; it's gone now,
alas, a casualty of the developers' wrecking-ball.
Keith
Last edited by keithgood838 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
I understand Chris' first post now L&H
L&H have a wonderful knowledge from that era..............................are you calling them OLD Marian
Chris, Matt's first hit was the beautiful Portrait of My Love...............in 1960
L&H have a wonderful knowledge from that era..............................are you calling them OLD Marian
Chris, Matt's first hit was the beautiful Portrait of My Love...............in 1960
"My Tears Will Fall Now That You're Gone,
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"
- Lena & Harry Smith
- Posts: 21514
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:05 am
- Location: London UK