Matt Monro Forum

Shock Horror!No more Malcolm Laycock on a Sunday Night.So less or no chance to hear big band music on the BBC.
Did he go quietly or was he pushed,does anyone know?

Just seen on the Radio 2 Malcolm Laycock web page that Clare Teal is 'standing in' next week for Malcolm,playing swing music?
I am now feeling more confused

This has been an ongoing thing about Malcolms Sunday night programme for quite some time Sandra.
There has been talk of it being axed ,and then not exactly sure of the story or why but they decided that half of the programme that Malcolm played of The British Dance Bands wasn't suitable,(well for them maybe )
Judging by the response from the British Dance Band group , and although expected, last nights programme still came as a shock to them and to most who enjoyed this programme.
Thanks to those younger ones at the BBC who get carried away with the power that they have been given.
We do like Clare Teal, but depending on what music she chooses to play we could change our minds.

Yes, I said to John we could be VERY disappointed in Clare Teals idea of what we like to listen too.Malcolms choice of music last night was extra good we thought.We will reserve judgement until next Sunday though

Malcolm carried on with the programme but had to play Dance Band music from about the Fifties, which didn's suit everyone who liked what was known as the British Dance Bands.
We'll also wait and see what Clare Teal plays, but we are really going to miss Malcolms show. He also gave news of current and forthcoming gigs that will be missed too.

We looked forward to his Diary Dates' too.Some of the bands we had never heard of getting a mention which can only have been a good thing.
Of course he was also a great supporter of Chris Dean and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and its offshoots,playing their tracks as often as I suppose he dared!Very sceptical about next Sunday and god forbid it should be Davids turn next

We have received a reply from Bob Shennan controller of Radio 2 and 6 Music:

'Malcolm Laycock is indeed leaving Radio 2 and the Sunday night big band show.
The decision to leave is Malcolms-Malcolm decided to leave BBC Radio 2 for personal reasons.Everyone at Radio2 respects his wishes and he will be greatly missed.
We are sad that Malcolm has chosen to leave after 14 years of outstanding service as well as a respected and much loved presenter and producer.We wish him all the very best of luck in the future'.
'Clare Teal was due to cover his five weeks leave apparently.She will continue to do so until Malcolms replacement is announced.'
The e.mail goes on to publish his final words last night and to tell us that big band music will continue on Radio 2.
So that is that then.I know his wife was very ill once so maybe thats the reason.

There have been messages of outrage all day from the British Dance Bands group who have been supporting Malcolm since the first sign of hs programme first being axed and then having to change from the early Dance Band recordings to later ones, and so many have been demanding explanations from the Beeb controllers, but to no avail, but we have also seen what you have posted here Sandra, that Malcolm has left through personal reasons, so it may be that he has had enough with all that's gone on recently over this programme or for genuine personal problems. We do also remember that he himself wasn't very well not so long ago.
It seems now that no one who provides our kind of music is safe anymore and all the bombaring with complaints to the power struck controllers when this happens makes no difference at all.

Well, finally this is straight from the horses mouth., A reply from Malcolm to a question from John Wright of the British Dands Bands Group.... Yes you are right..I was indeed ordered to drop the British Dance Bands. That was just one part of the long running disputes I have had with Radio 2.
I will not go into detail, but I understand that Radio 2 has said that I have left for personal reasons...NOT SO,
I have issued the following,...I am very saddened to have ended my Sunday night at 10' programmes after 14 years. I did not want to leave but unfortunately Radio 2 was not able to offer me a satisfactory new contract which left me with no alternative but to withdraw.
The music, musicians and the audiences have been my life and my pleasure since my first Big Band and Swing programmes over 30 years.
For the moment I shall take a rest and draw breath, but who knows ? sometimes when one door closes another one opens.

Thanks for your comments Paul, we agree with everything you say and of course even though Clare Teal does sing our known songs, if Malcolm was prevented from playing The British Dance Bands music it is obvious that Clare Teal won't be allowed to, but in fairness we will wait to see what she does play. We understand at this point that she is just standing in until a permanent presenter is found.
We are also being deprived of listening to all the great American swing bands, singers and musicians that Malcolm brought to us.
As far as the younger set listening to this kind of music on the British Dance Bands Group there is a wonderful and extraordinary story of a young man named Matthew who has written his account of how he has been hooked on this kind of music from a young Eight year old boy.
We would like to see it published.

We have just received a set of 5 CDs titled..The Golden Age Of Swing..Malcolm Laycock Presents. Available from Delta Home Entertainment and Amazon.
A great selection of Swing music and singers, and included are web-sites to download detailed track information.

Thanks Lena and Harry will be ordering that set of CDs.
Another part of my e.mail said 'Big band music will continue to have a place in the Radio 2 schedule.
Sunday night at 10 continues as does Big Band Special on Monday nights.
In addition to our regular output there will be a three part series on the golden age of dance bands in the 30's later in the year'.
As far as I can see(hear)Mondays Big Band Special consists ONLY of the BBC Big Band and no other band allowed on that programme BUT you are going to thrown a few crumbs of comfort by a three part series on the golden age of dance bands of the 30's.

Have to be grateful for the few programmes that we have left now Sandra.
Other regions of the BBC do have programmes to suit our taste, and we do have Angel Radio
No doubt like us you will have some of the music on The Malcolm Laycock CDs, but they are very reasonably priced.

I'll speak to ML's agent over the week-end and suss out the truth!