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Who's Who in and Around Leicester

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This is Page Three

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Who's Who Sections:

�Section 5: [Acting Community] �Section 6: [Music Community]

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[Return to Index Page]

Section Five

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Acting Community ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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(Radio, Stage, Television, & Film - Actors, Producers and Directors)

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Click on the name for additional information

~ Martin Ballard ~

Although Martin is a professional actor - having appeared at all of the local Leicester theatres (including twelve pantomimes) and having also appeared with many famous names - he is perhaps best known in the East Midlands area as the early afternoon voice of BBC Radio Leicester (Britain's first local Radio Station). Martin was born and bred in the county and began working for Radio Leicester after leaving University; he has now been broadcasting in Leicestershire for the past twenty years. Martin was one of the first presenters to broadcast from the Millennium Dome. He has presented the lunchtime show for the last five years with a mix of lifestyle phone-ins, fascinating features and 'In-depth' interviews with celebrities, public figures and people with interesting life stories. Martin is also currently working for the British Basketball League as courtside PA commentator for the Leicester Riders and has worked for both BBC Network Radio and BBC World Service... For more about Martin, just click on his name above. The link will take you to Martin's page at Radio Leicester where you'll find more on his career, as well as an online interview. For even more about him (his complete C.V.) click on the following link --> [Link].

~ Ian Bannen ~

Not the strongest of connections with Leicester; however, Ian Bannen did receive part of his education at Ratcliffe College in Leicester.� Ian was actually born in Airdrie, Scotland in 1928 and had some 38 movies to his credit. These include one of his more recent, the very successful "Waking Ned Divine." Other films of note that he appeared in were "Braveheart"(1995), "Hope and Glory" (1987), "Gandhi" (1982), "Eye of the Needle" (1981) and "Flight of the Phoenix" (1965). Quote: "You can use tricks onstage, but never onscreen. There's nowhere to hide from the camera."�This venerable British actor died Nov. 3rd, 1999 after being involved in a car crash in Scotland.

~ Jeremy Bulloch ~

Born in Leicester, Jeremy left school at the age of 11 and it turned out to be one of the best things he ever did. Entering a drama college, he quickly succeeded as a child actor, appearing in films and television. At the age of 17, he did a film (Summer Holiday), with singer Cliff Richards. The film became a major success in England. Best known as Boba Fett from the Star Wars trilogy, Jeremy has also appeared in three of the James Bond films.

~ Graham Chapman ~

Famous member of Monty Python's Flying Circus. Born January, 1941 in Leicester, died October, 1989 at the age of 48 from cancer. He was educated at Melton Mowbray Grammar School and at Cambridge where he qualified as a medical doctor; however, he forsook the stethoscope for the pen and in his post�Cambridge days he was a journeyman writer working with John Cleese to produce a succession of successful sketches for "The Frost Report," or writing filler jokes for "The Petula Clark Show." He kept a low profile as a writer and performer until "At Last, the 1948 Show," in which he revealed a talent for playing intense, rather serious characters hilariously. This link will take you to a page of www.pythonet.org and a testimonial to the late Graham Chapman by fellow Python cast members Michael Palin, John Cleese and Eric Idle. Footnote: Thirty years ago I became convinced that one of the cast had to be from Leicester due to the many references made to our city in the Monty Python sketches. It has taken me this long to find out I was right.�

~ Betty Driver ~

Betty has played the part of well-known Coronation Street character Betty Williams (formerly Betty Turpin) since 1969.� Betty was born in Leicester in 1920 and moved to Manchester when she was just two years old. She was pushed into a life on the boards by a star-struck mother and turned professional at the age of 11; at 14, she both landed her first film role and trod the London boards.� These days, Betty lives with her sister near Altrincham. 

~ Stephen Frears ~

This well-known film maker and director was born in Leicester. He read law at Cambridge, but it was the stage which captured his interest. He joined London's Royal Court Theatre on a directorial apprenticeship, then entered the film industry to look, listen and learn as director's assistant. A long standing association followed with BBC TV Drama and over the next twelve years (71-83) he directed twenty-four of their most highly acclaimed productions. Some of his films include: "The Van" (97), "Mary Reilly" (96), "The Snapper" (93), " Hero" (92), "The Grifters" (90), "Dangerous Liasons" (88), "Prick Up Your Ears" (87), "My Beautiful Launderette" (86) and "The Hit" (82).

~ Cy Grant ~

Born in British Guyana, 50s Calypso singer Cy Grant lived in Leicester between 1984 and 1992 and became an active member of the community. Even before moving to the city, he had taken part in performances at the Haymarket Theatre and the Phoenix, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Othello. He is reported to have said the following about the city: "I like Leicester; it's a good city and the people are very friendly."

~ John Hug ~

Actor and probably first remembered for his part playing Bill Fraser pilot of the Eagle in the 70s Sci-fi programme Space: 1999. Born in Leicestershire, Hug had the usual childhood fantasies of being an engine driver and even a doctor. After Space: 1999, Hug appeared in such TV series as Alias Smith and Jones, The Fourth Arm, Operation Julie and an episode of Tales of the Unexpected. Over the past several years, Hug has also done extensive theatre work, both in Britain and elsewhere in Europe.

~ Michael Kitchen ~

I have it on good authority from a fellow in New Zealand who knew Michael at the City of Leicester Boys School in the early sixties, that, in fact, he really is from Leicester. He also told me that Michael played the lead role in "Andocles and the Lion" at the Little Theatre in 1964 - presumably while still at school.� Now I finely have received proof: he was born on the 31st of October in 1948 in Leicester according to the Cine-rhama "Brit Talent Page" link -->[Link]. This well-known actor has been in such films as "The World is not Enough,"� and "Out of Africa," as well as in many TV programmes such as "Dalzeil and Pascoe," Inspector Morse" and the upcoming remake of "The Railway Children."� If anyone has more information on his connection with Leicester, please write and let me know.

~ Bill Maynard ~

Television and radio entertainer and actor, most well known for his role as Claude Greengrass in the television series Heartbeat." Born in Farnham, Hants, he moved to the Glen Parva area of Leicester and has lived there ever since (and he knew me Mum). He has now written his autobiography called Stand Up... and Be Counted.� More on the book at this site --> link [link]

~ David Neilson ~

Another Coronation Street actor from the Leicester area. David has played the part of Roy Cropper on the Street since 1995. He was born in Loughborough in 1949 and currently lives with his family in Bristol and commutes when filming. He has previously worked as a gas fitter, plumber, ice-cream salesman and barman. Since taking up drama, he has been a theatre director, tutor and writer. Apart from small roles in EastEnders and Heartbeat, he also appeared in Mike Leigh's Secrets and Lies, which won the 1996 Palme d'Or at Cannes.

~ Roger Pratt ~

Film director Roger Pratt grew up in Leicester and is the son of a minister. He first developed an interest in filmmaking while sitting along side the projector, watching religious films, in his father's church. Pratt went on to graduate from the London Film School. Pratt was assisting on documentaries and commercials when he met director Terry Gilliam, on the set of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. He and Gilliam would later collaborate on Brazil, The Fisher King, and Twelve Monkeys. Pratt has also worked with Tim Burton (Batman), Kenneth Branagh (Marry Shelley's Frankenstein), Mike Leigh (High Hopes) and Richard Attenborough (Shadowlands, In Love and War). Roger Pratt and Neil Jordan collaborated on the remake of Graham Greene's famous novel The End of the Affair. The director and cinematographer had previously worked together on the film Mona Lisa.

~ Josette Simon ~

Josette Simon was born in Leicester, and trained at Central School of Speech and Drama. Josette was still in Drama School when she was chosen to play Dayna Mellanby in the TV series Blake's 7. She was noticed when she and four other students went to the BBC to take part in a camera rehearsal for Star Turn Challenge. She was subsequently invited back for a screen test, and given the role. Josette enjoyed playing Dayna, on Blake's 7 and thought her a strong and intelligent person. She went on to play the part in 26 episodes. Josette has gone on to become an award winning actress, much in demand for her wonderful voice.� She has had many television roles and has starred in films such as "Milk and Honey," "Cry Freedom" and "A Child From The South." Her extensive theatre work includes many seasons for the RSC and Royal National Theatre.� Josette is also a very experienced vocal artist and has done a lot of radio and documentary work. She was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Honours List for her services to drama and received an honorary degree of Master of Arts from University in 1995. Josette was the Evening Standard Actress of the Year in 1990 and was the first black leading lady in the Royal Shakespeare Company.

~ Simon Stallworthy ~

Born in 1960 in Leicester. Lives in Beverley with partner and their 18-month-old daughter. He is general manager of Hull Truck Theatre Company. The core team (about 11) of which can swell during the busiest times to about 60 or 70 actors, directors, designers and technicians. Simon deals with everything from administration to directing, and he writes as well. After gaining a BA Honours in drama at Bristol University managed to get a job at Leicester Haymarket as an assistant stage manager. Worked for the next four or five years as a freelance in stage management at various levels. Moved to Bolton Octagon as young people's director in 1987 and in 1990 became director of a small theatre and arts centre in Wisbech. Went to Hull Truck in 1995.

~ Una Stubbs ~

Leicester-born dancer-turned-actress Una Stubbs portrayed Rita in the long-running and highly successful TV comedy series "Till Death Do Us Part." Thirty five years ago, this BBC sitcom first appeared and it was to eventually change and destroy the boundaries of comedy forever. It offended many people and frightened more than a few others, whilst for millions it was the most electrifying show on television. This link takes you to an article that is really about Johnny Speight, the show's writer, and the series itself rather than about Una Stubbs.�Note: this article is temporarily unavailable; however, the link will take you to a pretty good (award-winning in fact) British Television site called 'Kaleidoscope.'

~ Maurice Dean Wint ~

Born in Leicestershire, Maurice's background is an interesting amalgam of the British and Jamaican experience. He emigrated to Canada with his family in 1967 after completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama at York University. He joined the Toronto theatre scene and has guest-starred on Robocop, Street Legal, E.N.G., and has had recurring roles in TekWar and PSI Factor.

~ Christopher Wren ~

Born in Leicester, Wren was the second of three sons of a professional photographer and entertainments manager and his wife, a semi-professional actor, Barbara Cayless. He was educated in Leicester and Skegness, where the family moved, and made his first appearance at the age of eight as Little Jake in Annie Get Your Gun at the Palace Theatre, Leicester, in 1955. His self-possession was noticed and, by 16, he had left school for parts in the chorus line and then, in 1975, at the Players' Theatre, under the arches at Charing Cross, in Geoffrey Brawn's musical, At The Sign Of The Angel. He played Cuthbert Cutter, a member of a group of all-male Elizabethan actors forced by the plague to leave London. It did not get a west end slot, but his looks, powerful baritone voice and versatility were noticed. On his 52nd birthday, Wren unexpectedly collapsed at the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage, while rehearsing his production of another tribute to past greats, Noel And Gertie. An inoperable lymphoma in the brain was diagnosed and he spent his last days in a coma. He was unmarried. Christopher Wren (Christopher Johnston), actor, director, playwright, choreographer, producer, singer and dancer, born July 3 1947; died December 11 1999.

Section Six

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Music Community ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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(Performing Artists, Musicians, Composers, Directors & Conductors)

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Click on the name for additional information

~ Richard Armstrong ~

Music Director of the Scottish Opera, a position held since 1993; established as a leading conductor both in the symphonic and operatic world. Born in Leicester, Richard attended Wyggeston Boy's School and later was an organ scholar at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and then joined the music staff of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. From 1983 to 1986 Richard was Music Director of the Welsh National Opera where his successes included taking the company to Covent Garden. The link (name above) will take you to the Scottish Opera website. Click on "About Us" and then on "Richard Armstrong."

~ Dave Bartram ~

The lead singer of chart-topping 70s band, Showaddywaddy. Dave was the youngest member of the original band's line-up, and was born in Leicester in 1952. He was the singer on most of Showaddywaddy's singles and also on many of the album tracks. Nowadays, he is the lead singer of Showaddywaddy, but Al James and Danny sometimes take over the responsibility. Showaddywaddy were formed in 1973 in Leicester from two groups, The Choice and The Hammers. They both played at the Fosse Way pub in Leicester and after playing together in jamming sessions, they joined together permanently and Showaddywaddy was born.

~ Christopher Bruce ~

Born in Leicester in 1945. Trained at Ballet Rambert school and joined the company in 1963 (when it was still a classical company). In 1966, Rambert reformed and Bruce emerged as one of its leading dancers. 1967 - first major modern role in Pierrot Lunaire. Bruce's reputation rests not only on his skill as a performer but also on his talent as a choreographer. His 1st work George Frideric (1969) was choreographed for Rambert when Bruce was just 24 yrs old. He was appointed Associate Choreographer in 1979, giving him freedom to work freelance. He relinquished this position in 1987. Since then he has become Associate choreographer for The English National Ballet and from 1988 Resident choreographer for Houston Ballet. He also worked with Nederlands Dans Theater, the Royal Danish Ballet and Cullberg Ballet. Most of Bruce's works are concerned with , more obviously, people - their feelings and behavior- and the injustices which are visited upon them by outside agencies. Several of his works have dealt with psychological themes or have focused on human relationships.

~ Benjamin Burrows ~

Number 12 College Street was where the musician Benjamin Burrows (1891-1966) was born. His was a musical family: his father was a music teacher, his mother a pianist and his sister Grace became a notable violinist, who assisted Malcolm Sargent in setting up the Leicester Symphony Orchestra. Benjamin showed promise from an early age and when he was 15 he won the coveted Deacon Prize. He studied the organ under the expert tutalage of Henry Ellis the organist at the church of St Mary de Castro. When Ellis died in 1910 Burrows was appointed and within two years had taken his ARCO and FRCO. By 1925 he was married, living at Bodnant Avenuue and on the staff of the recently-formed University College. In 1929 he was appointed organist Victoria Road Church. Burrows disliked conducting, but such was the standard of the choir he trained that they were able to perform Bach's St. Matthew Passion with him directing from the organ. Benjamin Burrows worked from a studio at the Victoria Road Institute and it was here that he taught most of his students. Author of this entry: Max Wade-Matthews from his CD "A Walk Round Leicester,"

~ Andrew Carter ~

Andrew Carter was born in Leicester in 1939 and graduated from Leeds University. In 1962, he joined the choir of York Minster, where he sang bass in the daily services for the next seven years. During this period he directed the music in a number of nearby schools and in 1965 founded the mixed-voice choir which takes its name from the Chapter House of the Minster. The Chapter House Choir was named The Outstanding Choir of the Year in the 1979 BBC 'Let the People Sing Competition'. Many of his carol, folksong and 'lollipop' arrangements were written for this choir, whose recordings include Carols by Candlelight and The Teddy Bears Picnic. A Winston Churchill Fellow in 1981, Carter studied the choral techniques and repertoire of Scandinavia, in particular the work of Eric Ericson in Sweden. In 1984, twelve months of conducting in Auckland, New Zealand, involved resident director of the Dorian Chamber Choir, and guest seasons with the Choral Society and the Bach Society. Principal speaker at the 1985 Australian Convention of Choral Directors, Andrew Carter became a founder committee member of the British Association, ABCD, addressing the first convention in Oxford in 1986, and serving as Convention Director in York in 1989. Carter's choral compositions and arrangements have become internationally known over the last decade, and are regularly broadcast on national television and radio. He is now a freelance composer, and recent commissions include a number of celebratory anthems of churches in the United States.

~ Roger Chapman ~

In the early sixties, there was a very popular group in Leicester called "The Farinas." The singer for that group was Roger Chapman and he, along with Charlie Whitney, Ric Grech (of future Blind Faith fame), Jim King and Rob Townsend, went on to form another group by the name of "Family." Later, this band moved to London and rapidly established themselves as darlings of the "Underground" circuit. They won a recording contract with the Liberty label in 1967 and, in the autumn of that same year released their first single 'Scene Thru The Eye Of A Lens'. Roger Chapman is best-known in Britain for his work with "Family" and the 70s R 'n' B band "Streetwalkers." In the pre-punk era, Roger was an enormous cult figure on the British rock scene, famed for his spectacular showmanship and soaring vibrato. Roger is still touring, now with his latest group - "The Shortlist."

~ Arthur Colahan ~

Arthur Colahan was born in Galway in 1885. He took up medicine and graduated from Queen's College, Galway in 1913. When World War broke out he enlisted in the British Army's Medical Corps and served in India. After the war, he settled in Leicester, where he worked as a psychiatrist in the police and prison services. His hobby was music and he wrote songs such as Cade Ring, Macushla Mine and the beautiful Galway Bay. He often spent his holidays in his beloved County Galway, and liked nothing better than an evening at the piano while his brothers and sisters sang Irish songs, including his own that he had written in Leicester. Galway Bay, which was written in memory of one of his brothers who drowned in the Bay, is the song of the grief of an exile and had he lived we're sure he would have objected to the version made famous by Bing Crosby, who altered the word 'English' to 'strangers.' Dr. Colahan died at his Leicester home on 9 September 1952 and his remains were removed to Galway for burial in the family grave. Even today there is still no mention of his name on the Celtic Cross that marks the grave of the man of who it was said "money didn't interest him, Glory didn't interest him. He was very gentle and very humble."� This entry thanks to Max Wade-Matthews of Leicester Research and was taken from his upcoming CD: "A Virtual Stroll Through Leicester."� "Galway Bay," published in 1947,� was second in the USA in "The Lucky Strike Cigarettes Hit Parade Radio Show - 1935 to 1955" charts for a total of 12 weeks in 1949. Link for the "Hit Parade" (1935-1955) --> [Link]

~ John Deacon ~

Bass guitarist for another world-famous band "Queen" and writer of 18 of the groups songs.� John was born in 1951, grew up in Oadby, and attended Beauchamp Grammar School, Leicester.��His interest in music began at an early age.� By seven, he had a red plastic "Tommy Steele" special.� John is probably the least known member of Queen.� He rarely does interviews, is never really in the news, and when on stage, gets on with playing the bass whilst the others are the showmen.

~ Mary Ann Deacon ~

Mary Ann Deacon (1822-1903) was one of nineteenth-century Leicester's most active lady musicians. One of her many musical activities was as accompanist and deputy conductor of the Leicester Philharmonic. One of the Society members was later to recall that sometimes, when conducting practices, she would go among the singers trying to pick out those who were not singing or whose intonation was faulty, and, in an excess of enthusiastic zeal, drop her music book on the head of any offending chorister. This entry is courtesy of Max Wade-Matthews and is taken from his book "Musical Leicester." Click on the name above to visit his website and learn more about the book.

~ Richard Dyer-Bennet ~

Born in Leicester, October 6th, 1913; died in Monterey, Massachusetts, USA in 1991.� This Leicester-born American tenor and guitarist helped to revive the popularity of folk music through his concert performances, recordings, compositions, and teaching. Though born in England, Dyer-Bennet grew up in Canada and California and attended the University of California at Berkeley (1932-35), where he studied English and music. (He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1935).�

~ Henry Bramley Ellis ~

Henry Ellis, who was born in Newark, became a choirboy when he was eight years old. When he was 16 he was articled to Dr Dearle, the church organist, becoming the doctor�s assistant at the end of his five year apprenticeship. Eighteen months later he was appointed organist at St Andrew�s, Halstead, Essex where he began his career as a conductor by building up the Halstead Musical Society to one of the finest in the country. Ten years later, when he left the town, on taking up his appointment in Leicester, he was presented with �50 as a token of their appreciation of his musical services. His first post in Leicester was at St John�s. In 1878, he was appointed Organist and Choirmaster at St Mary�s. As well as church music Ellis threw himself into the musical life of the town, joining the �Anemoic Union� as pianist and the �Leicester Musical Society� as assistant to the conductor, Henry Nicholson. In 1876, when the Society was disbanded, some of the former members formed the �Amateur Vocal Society� with Henry Ellis as conductor. Three years later, in 1879, he succeeded W.H. Whale as conductor of the �Orchestral Union� and, in 1886, was selected to wield the baton for the �Philharmonic Society�. Ellis, who was a very able pianist and organist, also taught private pupils, was the music master at Wyggeston Girls� School. As a conductor he was always clear and lucid in expressing his ideas to the choir and orchestra as well as being quick at detecting blunders. It was said that even if his best friend played a wrong note he would be corrected even if it meant the lost of the friendship. In 1890, as a token of the esteem in which he was held in the town, the Mayor presented him with �300, a watch and portrait of himself. Author of this entry: Max Wade-Matthews from his CD "A Walk Round Leicester,"

~ Ric Grech ~

Yet another notable bass player from Leicester and also a former member of "The Farinas" (with Roger Chapman - see above). Richard Roman Grech, was born in 1945 in Bordeaux, France. He grew up in Leicester, and coming from a musically inclined family, he became an energetic student of the violin, playing in the Leicester youth orchestra during the late 1950's. A fine, multi-talented musician, Ric played bass guitar and violin during his career and was most noted for his involvement in Blind Faith along with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker. Improvising with violin, and experimenting with alternative forms of rock & roll with "Family," led Ric to the level of insight and expertise that was well-regarded by the elite of British rock musicians. Grech moved beyond Blind Faith, collaborating in "Ginger Baker's Airforce" in early 1970, then in the reincarnation of "Traffic" later that year. He also participated in numerous sessions including ones with George Harrison, the Muddy Waters London Sessions, Gram Parsons' efforts following the Flying Burrito Brothers and a short stint with The Crickets (reformed in 1973). Ric passed away March 1990 in Leicester due to a cerebral haemorrhage, followed by a combined kidney and liver failure.��

~ Timothy Hone ~

He was born in Leicestershire in 1957. On leaving Cambridge (where he was Organ Scholar at Peterhouse) he was appointed Sub-Organist at Leeds Parish Church in 1980 and then to a similar position at Coventry Cathedral in 1982. During his time there he performed the complete organ works of J S Bach, appeared as soloist in a broadcast concert with the BBC Concert Orchestra and conducted the Chamber Orchestra (with players of the RPO) in Britten's War Requiem. He took up his present appointment as Organist and Master of the Music at Newcastle Cathedral in September 1987.

~ John Illsley ~

Bass guitarist and vocal accompanist for the world-famous band "Dire Straits," songwriter and artist. John was born in Leicester in 1949; in 1977, he was a sociology graduate working in a record shop in London when he met the other co-founders of the group, the Knopfler brothers and drummer Pick Withers. The band enjoyed phenomenal success starting with the hit song in 1978 "The Sultans of Swing." John Illsley is also a solo artist and has released two or three albums including "Never Told� A Sole" (1984) and "Glass" (1988).

~ George Augustus L�hr ~

The first full-time professional church organist in Leicester was George Augustus L�hr. Born in Norwich in 1824, L�hr received his early music training, as a chorister, at Magdalen College, Oxford before attending the universities of Leipzig and Munich. Assistant to Dr Zachariah Buck of Norwich Cathedral, L�hr came to Leicester in 1845 to take up the appointment of organist at St Margaret�s Church, a post he held for forty years. By the beginning of 1846, from his home at 34 Granby Street, he was teaching music, with fees ranging from one guinea a quarter. A few months later, with an ever-increasing number of pupils, L�hr was giving piano and singing lessons from a room in John Shouler�s draper�s shop in Hotel Street. One of L�hr�s pupils was the daughter of Henry Martin Mills Hanford, the headmaster of the Alderman Newton School and choirmaster of St Mark�s. Miss Hanford, who married E. C. Elton, was organist of the church of St Nicholas, from 1868 to 1879, for which she received a salary of �20 a year.� This entry courtesy of Max Wade-Matthews and is taken from his book "Musical Leicester."

~ Jon Lord ~

Keyboard player and founder member of the rock group Deep Purple. Born June 9, 1941, in Leicester, Jon Douglas Lord was a classically trained pianist who appeared to give up classical music entirely--much to the consternation of his father--when in 1960 he moved down to London to study drama. It was there that Lord began listening to jazz. "In about 1961 I heard Jimmy Smith playing 'Walk On The Wild Side,'" he says, "and from then on I was enraptured by the organ." Suitably inspired, he joined his first group, the Bill Ashton Combo, in 1963. He later became a member of the influential Art Wood Combo (aka The Artwoods). Wood, brother of future Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood. Lord also plied his trade behind the scenes as a session musician; his biggest claim to fame before Deep Purple was his piano work on The Kinks' 1964 #1 U.K. hit, "You Really Got Me."� This entry in Who's Who was suggested by expat Paul Norton of Austin, Texas.

~ Joseph Herbert Marshall ~

The first of many shops owned by Joseph Herbert Marshall, a former Guardsman and commercial traveller for a firm of piano manufacturers, was built opposite the skating rink on the corner of Rutland Street and Humberstone Gate. The grand opening of "Marshall�s Midland Musical Depot" (the name board can still be seen over the windows) was celebrated by a grand concert and sale at which, it was said, no reasonable offer was refused. Marshall took old instruments in part exchange for new ones and such was the level of business that in the winter of 1884 he was forced to hold a clearance sale of second-hand pianos as well as opening a sheet music branch in Gallowtree Gate. He also manufactured pianos such as his "Students Model" (twenty guineas) and his "Acme" (thirty guineas). Always keeping up to date with new musical trends, in 1898 Marshall advertised an "Armour-clad" damp-proof piano at twenty-two guineas cash or fifteen shillings a month, while two years later he was selling, at three guineas, the recently invented gramophone. No doubt some of the buyers of these "recording and producing apparatus complete with trumpet and double hearing tubes" would have been members of the Leicester Phonographic Society which had been formed in 1892. President of the Music Trades Association of Great Britain, in 1900 Marshall expanded his business by opening premises in Regent Street, London.� This entry courtesy of Max Wade-Matthews and is taken from his book "Musical Leicester."

~ Wes McGhee ~

Born in Lutterworth, Wes began playing guitar with a local band when he was only 13 years old, had graduated to playing in German rock clubs by the age of 18 and secured his first recording deal - with a division of Pye Records in London. His determination to marry psychedelic rock and country music did not endear him to the company, however, and he found himself locked into a contract while no records were being released. Once he was released from this deal Wes put together a new band and recorded his first album ("Long Nights And Banjo Music"). Having developed an understandable aversion to big record companies, he formed his own Terrapin Records label and subsequently released four more albums during the next six years. Responding to positive reviews for that first album in the United States, in 1978 Wes visited America for the first time, eventually arriving in Texas for a planned two-week stay that was destined to last eight months and develop into a twenty-year mutual love affair, thanks in no small part to the friendship and patronage of the late, great and sadly missed Roxy Gordon. During those twenty years Wes has worked with and for many of the best writers and pickers in Texas, has been awarded a songwriter's night at Austin's famous Soap Creek Saloon by The Austin Chronicle (the first non-Texan and definitely the first Englishman to receive this tribute), has recorded at Sun Studios, Memphis, Jack Clement's Stack of Tracks in Nashville and Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studio, and also signed a long-term deal with Bug Music, America's leading contemporary songwriters' publishing company... For more about Wes, visit the "Neon & Dust" Fact File by clicking on his name above. No link - "Fact File" no longer active.

~ Mark Morrison ~

Leicester-born (1972) pop singer with a number one hit sensation "Return of the Mack." He has unfortunately hit troubled times in recent years.� Pop star Mark Morrison became a sensation with his hit record "Return of the Mack," which was a number one.� For a picture of Mark Morrison and for more details on his stormy recent life, go to the Leicester Mercury's "Famous Faces" by following the link - left.

~ Jon Pickard ~

He is a self-employed International Development Consultant, in Washington, D.C. He was born in Leicester in 1944 and has been a U.S. resident since 1968. Jon studied organ under Dr. Rudge, the organist at Leicester Cathedral. His academic degrees are in Architecture, Civic Design and Urban Planning. Pickard. His first choral works were published in 1985 and he has since composed additional choral music, liturgical responsories, anthems, hymns and secular songs. He has written 5 full-length jazz musicals, is an active member of the Choral Arts Society of Washington and was a founding member of the Baltimore Oratorio Society.

~ Sir Malcolm Sargent ~

(1895-1967) As a young man, he was organist at Melton Mowbray Parish Church and worked on many musical projects in Leicester, where he not only conducted but also produced many of the Gilbert & Sullivan operas for the amateur societies. In 1926, Rupert D'Oyly Carte was recommended to engage as musical director the brilliant young conductor whose name was fast becoming known to the musical public, and there began his long friendship with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. At the age of sixteen he became Keeton's assistant as organist at Peterborough Cathedral (until 1914). From 1914 to 1924 he was titular organist at Melton Mowbray Parish Church. During this period, he studied musicology at Durham, graduating in 1919. From 1919 to 1921 he studied piano with Benno Moiseiwitsch. Sir Henry Wood invited him to conduct his orchestra at Leicester and at the Promenade concerts at the Queen's Hall. He decided to devote himself exclusively to conducting from then on.

~ David Stevens ~

Composer of television and radio programme music.� He credits his music career to his good fortune of growing up in Leicestershire, "a county that had an exceptional music education system." He played cornet and trumpet from an early age, later graduating to French Horn which he played in the Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra up to the age of 19.� While he was still at school he composed and recorded his first pieces for homemade electronics and tape.

~ Mark Stewart ~

Born in Leicester, Mark went to Australia in 1979 after working in London as a session drummer and playing live in "Slipstream" a popular London R&B band alongside his friend Phil Collins. Working for a production company in London, he gained experience in all aspects of the entertainment industry. He toured Scandinavia and the U.K. as drum manager for Herbie Hancock and was constantly doing session work and live gigs in England. Link no longer available.

~ Steve Tilston ~

Steve Tilston , writes Dirty Linen magazine, "can stand shoulder to shoulder with any guitarist /songwriter in the world". Born in Liverpool in 1950 and raised in Leicester, Steve has been quietly ploughing his own furrow, turning out quality albums since the early seventies. He toured with Ballet Rambert, as well as being a member of John Renbourne's group, Ship Of Fools. He is a celebrated artist both in Britain and abroad,winning accolades in the US and more recently in Australia. Steve replaces Dave Whetstone in WAZ!, who has left to pursue another career. Recognised as a skilled and innovative guitarist, it is as a powerful and sensitive songwriter that Steve is being applauded most. He has a gift for creating songs that sound as if they were born of the tradition. One song in particular, "Slip Jigs and Reels", has worked its way into the repertoires of many acts worldwide, including Fairport Convention, who have also recorded two other songs of Steve's, "The Naked Highwayman" and "Here's To Tom Paine". More recently, the legendary Irish singer Dolores Keane has chosen one of his pieces as the title song of her latest album, "The Night Owl". Steve also plays the Arpeggione, a bowed guitar from the 1820's.

~ Jill White ~

Director of Music. Jill is the National Youth Orchestra�s (NYO) fourth Director of Music. She was born in Leicester and studied singing at the Royal Academy of Music between 1960 and 1964 and the Akademie fur Musik und Darstellung Kunst between 1966 and 1968. Between 1968 and 1970 she performed Opera and taught music in Vienna. She joined the BBC in 1970 and became a senior Music Selector for the BBC Sound Archive in 1973. Between 1975 and 1986 she was a Music Producer at BBC Pebble Mill, and a Senior Producer for BBC South and West between 1986 and 1993. Between 1993 and 1994 she was Artistic Director of Bournemouth International Festival of the Arts. Jill became the NYO�s Director of Music in 1993.

~ Charlie Whitney ~

Founding member and guitarist on every album for the sixties Leicester group Family. He was Born Richard John Whitney in 1944 in Skipton, North Yorkshire. The group Family existed from early 1967 until late 1973. During this period, this band from Leicester were festival staples, and covered a lot of musical ground, touching on 60's psychedelia; breezy acoustic passages; hard progressive rock; Jazz-flavorings; and in their final stages, a laid-back, "good-time" brand of rock and roll. All of this was anchored by the axis of Roger Chapman (aka Chappo) on vocals, and Charlie Whitney on guitars. Mr. Whitney can be called one of the most underrated guitarists of the era... being most proficient on twelve-string guitars, acoustic and electric. The double-necked Gibson SG EDS-1275 was his instrument of choice for some time. Family also included a couple of famous alumni, namely Ric Grech, who went on to Blind Faith; John Wetton, future star of King Crimson, UK, Asia and others; and Jim Cregan, who was a hit songwriter in Rod Stewart's band and is currently in the Farm Dogs with Bernie Taupin. Footnote: I have convinced myself that either Roger Chapman or Charlie Whitney was an apprentice with me at� English Electric in Whetstone in the early sixties. If anyone can confirm or disprove this, please contact me.

~ Joyce Wright ~

Although she was born in Leicester, Joyce Wright was brought up in Glasgow, where she was educated at Bearsden Academy, and received musical training from the age of eight. When she and her family returned to the Midlands she won several First Prizes at Midlands' Musical Festivals and sang in various choirs under the direction of Sir Malcolm Sargent. In 1947 she was persuaded to audition for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and was immediately engaged as a chorister. She joined the company in June, and by September was already a small-part player. For fifteen years Joyce gave splendid service to the Company, and for eleven of those years she was a principal - the regular soubrette. During this time she compared most favourably with the best of her kind, and no one has surpassed her for charm and daintiness, while she had plenty of attack when necessary. She was a superb Mad Margaret in "Ruddigore" - especially with Fisher Morgan as partner - for above all she was an actress of high quality. Her many friends and admirers were all extremely sorry when it was decided that Joyce Wright would leave the Company at the end of the tour in July 1961. After leaving the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company she appeared in "The Yeomen of the Guard" at the Tower of London during the City of London Festival and did valuable work in producing for amateur companies up and down the country.

~ Lawrence Wright ~

Born on the 15th of February in 1888 in Leicester. He died on the 19th of May in 1964 in London. Wright was a leading pioneer in UK popular music and a music publisher under his own name. He also wrote songs under the pseudonym, Horatio Nicholls. Wright's father owned a music shop in Leicester, and he taught his son to play violin, banjo and piano. After leaving school at the age of 12, Wright worked for a printing company, before joining a concert party and learning the art of public performance. He wrote the first of his many songs, Down By The Stream, when he was 17, and later hired a stall in Leicester Market to demonstrate his own compositions, and those he had bought from other songwriters. In 1910, he published Don't Go Down The Mine Daddy, by William Geddes and Robert Donnelly. It reputedly sold over a million sheet copies, aided, no doubt, by the Whitehaven pit disaster of the same year. He went to London in 1911 and was one of the first publishers to set up business in Denmark Street, soon to become the city's Tin Pan Alley. In 1926, he founded his �in house� journal, the Melody Maker, to promote his catalogue, and it still exists in the UK today. Apart from UK songs, Wright also made publishing deals with US songwriters, including Hoagy Carmichael, Walter Donaldson, Fats Waller and Duke Ellington. Wright also introduced to the UK listeners standards such as Little White Lies, Stardust, Lazybones, Mood Indigo, Ain't Misbehavin�, Carolina Moon, Basin Street Blues and Memories Of You. Continued - click on name above.

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