The Eurovision Song Contest

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Wed May 17, 2006 12:19 pm

Well after dozing in the chair and Harry waking me to tell me that the Eurovision show was starting,

but even though I thought I was still in dreamland, quite frankly neither of us would have missed this show for the world. It was the best laugh we've had in ages,

and Sir Terry was in top form. We saw groups, double acts, single acts, sometimes with expressions that only top expert contortionists could deliver,

some recogniseable flashing celebs, even a Bernard Manning lookalike. We saw the expected winners Sandie Shaw

Lulu

Katrina

and many more, but when Sir Terry mentioned runners up taking second place, our hopes were lifted, but soon deflated, no Matt

Anyway, Just a few years ago there was a TV programme that we taped called, "This Is Your Life". This fairly lengthy programme included celebrities and personalities from way back to the beginning of this show with Eamon Andrews to Michael Aspel, but again Matt's wasn't included

.
As we've said before, the BBC have deleted so much wonderful material from the past and have a lot to answer for

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Wed May 17, 2006 3:57 pm

Hello Lena and Harry, Hilary and all. You are so right about the BBC, I bet they regret their stupid actions now. Wouldn't it be great to watch the whole of Matts "This is Your Life" programme now. To see how faces and styles have changed over the years, but especially to see our Matt on the show would be fantastic. I vaguely remember it being on TV in those days, I think it was around 1977. Everyone used to have their TV's on to watch the programme in those days. But I wasn't a Matt fan then, I was more into pop music , so I didn't take much notice of the programme.
Going back to the Eurovision show last night, I didn't watch any of it, as I was dissappointed there wasn't any MM included in the show.

But as I said in my post yesterday, it's more comical than many "sit-coms" are. I'm pleased you had a good chuckle.

My tears will fall now that your gone

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed May 17, 2006 7:28 pm

Hi Lena and Harry---you are certainly right about the BBC having a lot to answer for in getting rid of old tapes. Way back in the 80's Johnny Mathis did a wonderful tribute to Nat King Cole, called "Unforgettable"--it included Natalie Cole and they did 2 duets together. It was shown by BBC, just the once!! Daespite repeated requests from the fan club, we have been told they no longer have the tape!!

When I see some of the programmes that are repeated over and over, I despair.

Have not seen the Eurovision Programme yet-may get round to watching it tonight.

Marian

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed May 17, 2006 9:51 pm

Hi again--well, I have managed to watch the Eurovision show ---it was good to see way back,some I could remember--lots I could not!! It would have been great if Matt had been on.

I still do not think our song will win. I would like to see Ireland win, with Brian Kennedy---I had never heard of him till last December, when I heard him singing at George Best's funeral service, and I was struck straight away by his amazing voice. I only heard a little of his song, so it was hard to judge it, but the little I heard, I liked.

Marian

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Thu May 18, 2006 1:01 am

Hello again Mariana44. The George Best service last December was so moving, with beautiful music. Brian Kennedy and Peter Corry the other singer to feature at the service, sang marvellously and it was very touching to watch.

After watching the service, I bought the George Best Tribute single that was released soon afterwards, featuring the song's played at the service. The single features all four songs played. The music is absolutely fantastic and heartbreaking at the same time. I doubt if the single is still available, but you should be able to pick it up somewhere.

My tears will fall now that your gone

cyril boylett · Post by **cyril boylett** » Thu May 18, 2006 7:07 am

Hi all All your comments are very interesting In the back of my mind I seem to recall that one of the UK's first entries if not the first was an entry CRUISING DOWN THE RIVER is my mind playing tricks on me? Cyril from downunder

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Thu May 18, 2006 10:25 am

Cyril, Two middle aged ladies, Eily Beadell and Nell Tollerton won first place when they wrote the words and music to the song "Cruising Down The River" for a songwriters competition that they entered in 1945. It was recorded in 1949 by Russ Morgan. It was in the same year 1949 when the crew of HMS Amethyst sung this song as it made it's historic dash down the Yantze River.
Cyril, we also remember this song at that time, became very popular on the radio with programmes such as the Billy Cotton Band show e.t.c. and we had a recording of it by Lou Preager, probably still have it

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Thu May 18, 2006 10:52 pm

Hi Robert, Lena and Harry anf Cyril---firstly--"Cruising down the river"--I had not realised it won a competition--I remember it well, as it was one of the tunes my dad played on a piano when I was a child--he died long ago, when I was still young, but whenever I think of it, I can remeber my dad at the piano---thankfuly noone can take your memories away!

Robert, yes I did know about the single from George Best's funeral--there was a lot of controversy, as the BBC would not play it--I am not sure why, but as it was a charity single, many people thought that the BBC was wrong. I did manage to get the single fairly recently from Amazon. I also got a cd of Peter Corry called "Broadway and Beyond" [ I think]. I have to admit, I was really moved by George Best's funeral service-I thought it was just beautiful--which I had not really expected. But it did show how much he was loved by his friends and family.

I have just sat through the Eurovision semifinal on BBC3---I only watched it because I knew Brian Kennedy would be on, and I am glad to say he got through to the final--why he had to go through that when Croatia went through automatically mystifies me. But Brian's song is a nice ballad--very simply sung, and I still back it to do well--and to win I hope!!

Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Thu May 18, 2006 11:28 pm

Mariana44 yes you are right about songs, they play such an important part in our memories, and we also have many of these of loved ones, but as far as we can remember the competition for the best British Song Writer when" Cruising Down The River" won first prize, was held at London's Hammersmith Palais with Lou Preager and his Band with vocalist Paul Rich, this wonderful and always well attended dance hall, where a few years later, we regularly danced the night away Ahhhh !!!
Marion, we also watched the last Fifteen minutes of the Euro finalists and heard Brian Kennedy finally get through for Ireland, and there seems to be optimism for ours, but we still haven't heard it

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Thu May 18, 2006 11:42 pm

Hi Lena and Harry---wow that is amazing!!!--I just posted a reply to Robert about his review of "ATouch of class" , where he mentiond it was recorded at the BBC Wood Lane studio, --I lived only a mile from there for over 20 years, and was still there in 1967 at the time of the recording. Also my mum worked there , right up until she died. But for you to mention the Hammersmith Palais too, bought back many memories. Just down the road from Wood Lane, I went there often, and in fact met my first husband there--what a coincidence. Did you ever go to the Shepherds Bush Empire---before it was turned into a TV studio---before the days of TV my mum and dad, my sister and I often went--although I was too young to remember who I saw. I have been back and have seen several "Wogan "shows there, but this was after I left West London and movd to Kent. It is a small world!!

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:10 am

Hi Mariana44 you are right it's a small world. It was actually I (Lena) before Harry and I were married, who was the regular at the Palais, it was when Lou Preager was resident band leader with a wonderful singer named Rose Brennan. One night Des O' Connor just about becoming known in the public eye was there surrounded by dreamy eyed girls.
I don't ever remember going to the Shepherd Bush Empire, but I had relatives living on the White City Estate. Adam Faith lived near by.
Those were the days.

cyril boylett · Post by **cyril boylett** » Fri May 19, 2006 4:53 am

Hi Matt fans. Your comments on the ESC were very interesting. However at the back of my mind I seem to remember a song called "Cruising down the river" being one of UK's first submission. Any reaction? Hope that you all enjoy the forthcoming getogether & bunfight! Wish we could be there also. Happy listening. Cyril & co, downunder.

cyril boylett · Post by **cyril boylett** » Fri May 19, 2006 7:53 am

Many thanks Lena & Harry for filling in my memory gaps. I'm sorry for repeating the same question, but overlooked turning the page! I hope recall for you all some stories of Matt & pre Matt , soon. Meanwhile forget England for the World Soccer Cup, just keep an eye on those underdogs Australia!! Good wishes & fun at your get together. Regards Cyril

Hilary · Post by **Hilary** » Fri May 19, 2006 11:08 am

Hi Everyone,

I was listening to Sir Terry on Radio 2 this morning.
The lucky man is already in Athens preparing for tomorrow's show.
Apparently Finland are the favourites to win this years contest.
They have a group, (sorry didn't quite catch the name!) who will perform their song in English.

The music is heavy metal

so really they might as well sing in any language they like as we probably won't be able to hear any of the words anyway

If anyone does happen to watch the show on BBC 1 tomorrow.
After you have recovered from the experience, if you have the time, please let us all know what you thought of this years contest!!

Best Wishes,

Hilary

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:10 pm

Hi Cyril, more info on "Cruising Down The River " the name of the programme and the theme song that was sung every week for the British Songwriters Competition was.... "Write A Tune For A Thousand Pounds"

Now for the World Cup, as far as the Australian underdogs, we agree they have some great experienced players Three for instance who also play over here in clubs, Viduka, Swartzer, Kewell, but have no fear, we also have the players, England will reorganise without Rooney

Hilary, on the Eurovision contest, on which right now we confess to being totally confused with the voting and elimination, it depends on what else is on offer on tv tomorrow evening, we have a couple of DVDs to catch up with, and we have heard our song now

but should a miracle happen (we may have to eat our words)

and we begin to look hopeful, we may get hooked !