Ken Dodd London Palladium June 1967
Another early memory which doesn’t quite relate to vintage rock, but which I wanted to cover before I finish my project.
I was in London with my parents for a short holiday and they decided that we would “go to a show” as one does when one is in the capital. Ken Dodd was starring at the Palladium, for a return series of shows after a very successful run a year or two before. We had seats in the circle. I remember being totally in awe of the wonderful venue. I was so excited that I was actually sitting in the London Palladium, a venue that I had seen so many times on TV, during “Sunday Night at the Palladium”. I could hardly believe that it was happening.
Doddy was great. He had his tickling stick, told us “how tickled I am” and that it was all “tattyfilarious”. It was magical. He sang “Tears” and kept the theatre laughing all evening. But the most magical moment was when he was joined on stage by the Diddymen. As a kid, I was totally knocked out and fascinated by those colourful crazy little guys who weaved their way around Ken Dodd and talked in silly squeaky little voices. The Diddymen were Dicky Mint, Mick the Marmalizer, Stephen “Titch” Doyle, Little Evan, Hamish McDiddy, Nigel Ponsonby-Smallpiece, Nicky Nugget, Sid Short and Smarty Arty., and they came, of course from Knotty Ash. They sang their song: “We are the Diddy Men, Doddy’s little Diddy Men, We are the Diddy Men who come from Knotty Ash”. Wonderful.
Great memories which now seem so long ago. I still have the programme.
That’s the last of my silly memories. I’ll return to rock music tomorrow. Thanks for bearing with me. Only a few days to go now … 4 or 5 I think. 🙂
31 Mar
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by Steve Bell on March 31, 2015 at 4:44 pm
This sounds familiar. Was Rosemary Clooney headline guest singer ? If so I was there too. Steve Bell Durham
Posted by vintagerock on March 31, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Hi Steve
Special guest was Rosemary Squires, rather than Clooney. Does that ring a bell?
Cheers Peter
Posted by Steve Bell on March 31, 2015 at 7:09 pm
Hi Peter. That was the first time I visited London. Also with parents. I was 13. Yes Rosemary Squires it would have been. Memory not perfect after 60 years. What a coincidence. Also saw You Only Live Twice in Leicester Sq and The Post Office Tower then which hadn’t been up long. Was surprised at how small The Palladium front was. Regular visitor now for Shepherds Bush Empire and Kentish Town Forum. Next London visits will be Ramblin Man fest (check it out) then Dave Gilmour in October and of course some more Spoons pubs. My other passion… Did you see Camel in Harrogate last year? Get feeling we have spoken at the bar. Probably more than once. steve b Bowburn Durham.
Posted by vintagerock on March 31, 2015 at 7:21 pm
Hi Steve Yes I did see Camel in Harrogate; we could well have spoken in the bar. Small world Cheers Peter
Posted by Steve Bell on March 12, 2018 at 8:35 pm
Sad news about Ken D this morning. RIP Ken…