David Jacobs collection with Matt.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:57 am

ROBERT M. wrote:Hi Dame Lena and Sir Harry and Mariana44 and all.
On "Pick of the Pops" this afternoon featuring the year 1964, Dale Winton played the Eurovision Song Contest winner of that year, the one that beat Matts entry. Matts song didn't even get into our chart's, which is very strange, as all our entries seemed to get in chart's.

Ah - another Eurovision point that I can contribute usefully to!

We kind of assume that the British entry would enjoy chart success in the home nation but the record is quite patchy!

1959 - 'Sing little birdy' reached number 12 for Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson, '

Searching High High High' none into the Top 20 in 1960 for Bryan Johnson.

In 1961, The Allisons scored a No2 with 'Are you sure'.

The 1962 'Ring a ding Girl', failed to chart, although Ronnie Carroll did score a no 6 in 1963 with 'Say Wnderful things'.

However, none of these songs were winning for us in the actual contest. and so the tactics changed to bringing in top stars of the day to represent the UK. Matt was, of course, the 1st of them, and as you say, 'I love the little things', while coming 2nd in the Contest, failed to chart.

The gorgeous Kathy Kirby belted out 'I belong' in 1965, came 2nd in the Contest but only managed to scrape into the top 40 in the UK. She lost to a song penned by Serge 'Je t'aime' Gainsborough

Its only when you gett to the late 60s with the success of Sandie Shaw, Lulu, and Cliff that you see No 1s and 2s appearing (sorry if that sounds rude but you know what I mean!' But then Mary Hopkin failed to chart with the 1970 entry 'Knock knock, whose there?'. However, the Contest winner, Dana, did reach no 1 in the UK with 'All kinds of everything'

Of course, in the 1970s, things did pick up a bit - but thats mainly becuase the stlye of pop music of the time was quite 'in tune', (if you'll pardon the pun) with the Eurovision style. I could come up with more facts and figures - but I'm a bit bored now and I am sure you all are too!

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:16 am

Hi Mike--all your stuff about Eurovision was interesting--I remember all those songs you mentioned---back then Eurovision was worth watching.

Yes I do have a large collection of Music--I have loved all kinds of music since I was very young, but I had to be content just listening to the radio. It was not until I started work that I was able to buy anything for myself.

Are you coming to the "Fan Club Meet" in November-I would love to hear you sing Bobby Darin--have you also done Matt??

I have not heard the Bobby Darin recording you mentioned, but so many are now deleted, although it is still possible to get some old LP's on ebay--Just a few weeks ago I bought "In a Broadway Bag", that I am intending to copy on cd, when I get a chance.

Marian

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:35 pm

Hi Mike--I know these two were later, but they were 2 of my personal favourites--"Go" by Scott Fitzgerald--co written by Bruce Forsyths daughter--just pipped at the post--I cannot remember how well it did in the charts , but I know that I have that single still!!

And also the lovely Michael Ball "One step out of time"--again only a 2nd place, but I really think it should have won.

Marian

usafret · Post by **usafret** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 1:51 pm

HELLO FROM FLORIDA MICHDUNCG,
JUST READ YOUR LAST ENTRY AND I AM INTERESTED IN THAT RARE ALBUM YOU MENTIONED, "RARE N DARIN"
i HAVE A VAST COLLECTION OF MATT MONRO MUSIC AND WOULD TRADE YOU A COPY OF ANYTHING YOU MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR A COPY OF THAT RARE N DARIN.
IF INTERESTED CONTACT ME AT:
edharr@peoplepc.com
THANKS--ED H

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:55 pm

Hi Mike and everyone. Don't put yourself down Mike, as your last post was very interesting. I cannot believe though that Mary Hopkin's "Knock Knock Who's There?" failed to chart. It was played a lot on the radio, and I would have bet anyone that it did in fact chart. Can anyone confirm or deny this. ????

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:03 pm

Knock Knock Who's There reached number 2 on the U.K. charts in 1970. It was a small hit in the U.S., while Those Were The Days was a huge hit. I loved both songs! I need to purchase an anthology to hear her other songs.

Here is Mary's Hopkins complete U.K. top 40 chart history:

1 Those Were The Days - Sep 1968
2 Goodbye - Apr 1969
6 Temma Harbour - Jan 1970
2 Knock Knock Who's There - Mar 1970
19 Think About Your Children - Oct 1970
32 If You Love Me - Mar 1976

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:26 pm

Hi Paul-and all-I absolutely loved "Temma Harbour", but I was never able to get a copy of it.

Did you know that Mary Hopkin became part of a group called "Sundance" I believe--I have got the single tucked away somewhere--it was really nice , but I never saw any other news about Mary Hopkin or "Sundance". [PS I will check that out later.]

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:11 pm

I didn't know she later joined a group. I found the group Sundance had these top 40 chart hits. Is the group you're referring to?

33 Sundance - Nov 1997
37 Sundance 98 - Oct 1998
40 Won't Let This Feeeling Go - Feb 2000

I found that Temma Harbour is on the "Those Were The Days" CD compilation of Mary Hopkin's greatest hits. I need to purchase this CD. I seem to recall that I heard Temma Harbour sung by someone else---about 35 years ago. But I haven't heard it since. That song title is so familiar.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 10:03 am

Hi Paul--I checked out my "Sundance " 45--it is called "Whats Love"--very catchy little tune. I do not think it is the same "Sundance" that you have mentioned as this was in the early 80's. Apparently one of the original "Springfields" wanted to start another group, and Mary was asked to join. But it never really took off. "Whats love" was probably their most popular recording. Sadly Mary became ill, soon after joining and someone else took her place.

I know you like buying your cds in person--however I also know that there are plenty of "Those were the days" on ebay, also at "Amazon". Whether you would find one in one of the big stores is debatable. I managed to track down a 45 of "Termma harbour" on ebay, so looking forward to that.

Marian

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:37 pm

Hello everyone - I am emerging from under the shell that I have been under since making the 'Knock Knock who's there?' gaff the other day!!

Glad you found the Eurovision facts interesting though! I don't remember 'Go!! too well - think it was the late 1980s?

As for me coming to the November Meet, I think I would be up for that! I am hoping to go and see Matt Jnr at the end of the year as well - see he is playing Croydon. Not sure you'd want me to sing for you at the meet tho Marian, as I said, I sound like Bobby Darin - but only in my head! That said, one of my work colleagues thinks I have a lovely voice!

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:13 pm

Hi Mike---yes "Go" was in 1988--as far as I can remember it lost by only 1 point.

As you seem to know a lot about Eurovision, do you remember this one--it is one of my favourite Eurovision songs--it was written by Don Black, about 1980, and in fact never got past the first round, so it never got as far as being an official "Eurovision" song.

It was sung by Maggie Moone, and is called "Happy Everything", and I love it. I have it on a 45, but copied it to a cd, and I Often listen to it.

Do you know which song beat it to go through to Eurovision?

All the information re the Fan Club Meet is in "Site News" [if you have not already found it]

I guess the nearest venue for me to see Matt Monro Jr would be Croydon, too. I could get there Ok, but I could never get back at night--it would mean staying overnight, and putting my dogs in kennels. I am doing that for the Fan Club Meet, but obviously that is different.

Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 3:55 pm

Hi Mike, Marian Paul, Robert and all, we remember the first time we heard of Mary Hopkin was when she entered and won Hughie Greens TV Opportunity Knocks contest programme for ten consecutive weeks running, and Mike the song "The Breaking Point" we agree is a great Bobby Darin swinging number. This is on his CD "The Shadow Of Your Smile" it is one number out of of Four extra bonus tracks on this CD which is coupled as a "Two for One" with "In A Broadway Bag". which is as always from Bobby Darin Fantastic.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:06 pm

Hello everyone - I do have a slight confession to make about Eurovision, and that is I have to look up a lot of the trivia, initially, but there is just so much of it about! As kids, my Mum and Dad used to have parties on Eurovision Night - not where we all sat down and watched it, but rather they had people around so they didn't have to watch it! We kids were consigned to a bedroom or a neighbours where we wouls sit glued to it! Since then I have always had interest in all things Eurovision.

Anyway, heres a great piece of Trivia! Did you know that the so-sophisticated Katie Boyle, had to go on stage to present the 1974 contest without any, for want of a better phrase, under garments!

The story goes that the dress she was having made was too tight when she tried it on at the dress rehearsal and that despite the best efforts of the BBC costume department to alter it overnight, her underwear was clearly visible under the tight dress. So, just prior to going on stage for the live broadcast, her underwear was got away by the stage hands and she had to hold her prompt cards very low, below the waist!

! Just as well she had them to hold - in the days before auto-cue.

Now, I haven't know that fact all my life, but the Official History of Eurovision Book comes out with some real classic tales like that!

So then Marian, Maggie Moone, and 1980. The song chosen to represent the UK that year was by a band called Prima Donna and a track called 'Love Enough for Two', and do you know what the rather spooky thing that I discovered is? That this was the 1st Eurovision since Matt's 'I love the little things' that DIDN'T make it into the chart before the actual Contest! After the event, Prima Donna crept in to No 48. Matt, inexplicably, failed to chart.

This link: http://www.everyhit.com/awardeuro.html will actually show all the Eurovision winners and also highlight the chart position that the years UK entry achieved.

Hi Lena & Harry, and thanks for the tip on Bobby Darin - I will add that album to my wish list! Great to hear that others like that track to. Does anyone know its history? Is it from one of those 1960s musicals like 'Bells are ringing' or something?! Opportunity Knocks - I remember Bobby Crush and Lena Zavarone winning, as well as I think Marti Caine? Or am I mixing it up with 'New Faces' Doubt it because my Mum had a real dislike for Muriel Young and Mickie Most, and would usually turn NNew Faces' straight off!

In a similar vein, I caught an episode of 'Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club' a few months ago - amazing what you can pick up on cable TV! 'Kathy Kirby was on, be about 1970 I think. She sang 'I belong' oddly, as it was never a big hit for her!

Sorry to hear that you won't be able to see Matt Jnr Marian, have you seen him before? I will go and check out the details for the Club Meet

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:38 pm

Hello Mike and everyone. Thank's for your link to the Eurovision winner's Mike, very interesting.
I have noticed that the writer of Matts "Walk Away" Udo Jurgens, was the winner for Austria in 1966 with "Merci Cherie", which Matt also recorded when recording in America for Capitol.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:50 pm

Hi Mike---well I didn't REALLY think you had all those dates etc in your head---that would have been too much to expect--fascinating stuff, nevertheless--after all, what will we be saying about this years Eurovision in 20 years time

So whatever happened to Katie Boyle-I have not seen or heard of her for years-I guess she is getting on a bit now. Thanks for information re Maggie Moone and 1980 Eurovision--all I know is that I have never heard of Prima Donna, but I do have Maggie Moone in my collection.

Opportunity Knocks did bring us many stars--I well remember Lena Zavaroni--she was so cute and pretty and could belt out a song--even as she got older and had her own show, I always liked to hear her. It was just a tragedy how she ended up--the only record I had of hers was a single--"Little things mean a lot".

Bobby Darin seems to have quite a few fans on this site now-his version of "Sunday in New York" is just fabulous---I may well have mentioned thi elsewhere on the forum--apologies for repeating myself.

And I will be getting to see Matt Junior, when we join up for the Fan Club Meet--really looking forward to that!

Marian