Matt Monro Forum

Have recently found a collection of Vera Lynn LP's, all from her later contract at EMI - which ran from 1960 to the late 1970's. Some really wonderful albums were recorded in this period. I am really enjoying her 'Songs of The 60's - My Way', produced by the late great Norman Newell.
Any one here remember Dame Vera Lynn?

We do remember Vera Lynn Dean, the most popular female singer in the Forties, known as the "Forces Sweetheart" because of the songs that she sang during World War 2 that helped to win the war as we say.
She was still very young when she was in Burma entertaining the troops with her songs.
She is Eighty Nine years old, and looking marvellous.
We have seen her a few times but one of the most memorable occasions was at Buckingham Palace in 1995 to commemorate Fifty Years ending of the war.
There was a platform erected at the gates of Bucks House and joined by Cliff Richard and Harry Secombe Vera sang all those songs with the crowds joining in. It was fantastic. She is a National Treasure.

No...............................................................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!of course we do Dean, how can we forget Vera Lynn, a British institution Vera Lynn was of course very famous for her songs during WW2.

Now Dean, do you remember the American female singer, famous for "singing to the troops" during WW2, the lovely Frances Langford, who I adore. Her voice was stunningly beautiful, as she was too

I think Dean, that Dame Vera Lynn is what is called "A great British Institution"--there will not be many people in Britain [of a certain age] who have not heard of her, and know her voice.

My favourite song that she sang was "The White Cliffs of Dover"-always makes me feel nostalgic, even though I am too young to remember anything about the war years.

Marian

Meant to have said that Vera made her first broadcast at the age Eighteen with the Joe Loss Orchestra. although of course she did entertain the troops in Burma.
Vera was appointed OBE "Order Of The British Empire" in 1969 and made DBE "Dame Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire" in 1975.
Her appearance at Buckingham Palace in 1995 was decided by Vera, to be her last, she wanted to go out on a high and couldn't think of a greater occasion. However she did make a surprise appearance last year 2005 for the VE Day ceremonies in Trafalgar Square and at the conert she was happy to be on stage with Katherine Jenkins who sang "We'll Meet Again "
Marian, "The White Cliffs "Of Dover was perhaps as much what we call Vera's song as We'll Meet Again, but in 2,004, abstract body artist Joanna Jones received permission and a grant to use The White Cliffs Of Dover as the location for one of her body paintings.
Dame Vera spoke against this stating .... I don't see how it can be publicity for Britain. It might be publicity for the artist. People coming to Britain especially for the first time expect to see The White Cliffs Of Dover, they don't expect to see an art display do they.!!!

A "British Institution" Marian, now where did you first hear that on this forum

Glad that Vera has not been forgotten....ANyone know when she last recorded? I have an album on CD called 'Vera Lynn Remembers' on Horatio Nelson Records where she re-recorded some of her biggest hits and one new recording of 'Sailing', not sure from when it is but I think the early 1990's and there was a single issued during the First Gulf War (1991). Sadly there is not one website for the great Lady.

I think she last recorded in the late seventies/early eighties, i have a couple of lp's from that period in which she recorded more modern songs like barbara dickson,s CARAVAN, and a couple of ABBA numbers like THANKYOU FOR THE MUSIC and I WONDER, in superb form. there is also a dvd available called VERA LYNN SINGS, taped in 1977 where she sings mostly country songs including YOU DON'T KNOW ME. GEORGE SHEARING also appears on this.

Indeed Vera did those albums in the early 1980's - one was called 'Thank you for the music ( I sing the songs)' the album I was asking about was recorded after these two and I have narrowed it down to between 1991 and 1995. I believe her last recordings to date.

Vera Lynn is profiled next week on BBC 4 TV in Vera Lynn-SINCERELY YOURS Friday 24/11/006 9pm.

Shall look forward to watching this, Mark.

Hi Dean,

Last saw Vera Lynn on stage at last years 60th Anniversary celebrations of VE day in Trafalgar Square. She appeared on stage and took part in a reading I think, but did not sing. She still looked as elegant as ever. I think that Katherine Jenkins sang 'White Cliff of Dover'

For anyone who missed the " Legends " show with Vera Lynn on Friday evening ( like we did ) it is being repeated tomorrow evening Sunday 26th at 8 O' Clock. on BBC 4.

We've just watched this programme "Legends" with Vera Lynn.
Just brilliant,!!!
We have already discussed Vera and look on her as a National Treasure, and this programme just emphasises this all the more. Nice to see Vera's daughter Virginia talking throughout of growing up with her famous Mother and talented musician Father Harry Lewis who passed away in 1998 Billy Cotton Jnr who was Managing Director of the BBC, David Jacobs, Betty Driver, and Betty Boothroyd and her music director all spoke with great admiration and affection for Vera.
Well Vera Lynn will always be associated with those famous wartime songs, but her final song on this tribute is" My Way" and we're not joking,... you won't hear it sung better

I bet it was a brilliant programme to watch L&H. I can tell you thoroughly enjoyed it I live in an "area" that doesn't pick up "digital" yet, even though I bought a top of the range set top box last February