I am entering this report for completeness really. I went to see Barbara Dickson recently and she played quite a few Beatles songs, mentioning that the Beatles have been an important part of her career, starting with her rendition of Beatles tracks for the musical John Paul George Ringo & Bert which I saw at Sunderland Empire sometime around 1974. So I searched on my blog for the musical and to my shame discovered that I had not done an entry for this. So here I am today rectifying this error.
To help me remember something about the musical I bought a copy of the album (see images) on eBay. On playing the album I realised just how many Beatles songs Barbara sang during the musical. The truth is I have little recollection of the content of the musical but I am certain that I went to see it at Sunderland Empire and that Barbara’s vocals were an important and integral part of the performance. I think I have a programme upstairs somewhere. I try and find it.
From the Willie Russell website: “In May 1974 Willy Russell’s new Beatles’ musical, ‘John Paul George Ringo,,, & Bert‘ opened at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre and made an instant star of Barbara Dickson. Credited as the ‘singer,’ she sat unobtrusively at the side of the stage each night performing the songs of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison. The reviews were unanimous in their praise: “Miss Dickson sings in a voice of slate and marble, brass and fire,” wrote ‘Punch’ magazine whilst NME raved, “the best single performance in the show comes from Barbara Dickson. She plays piano and sings the songs… she sings like a nightingale and her timing, cueing and renditions of the appropriate Beatles tunes are impeccable and done with the maximum effect. She received the greatest applause at the end and rightfully so.” The cast album of ‘John Paul George Ringo… & Bert’, released on vinyl in late 1974, has never been re-released on any format and is finally available on CD, more than forty years after its original release. Digitally remastered, it features fifteen tracks from the original production which went on to run for more than a year in London’s West End, including Beatles’ favourites such as ‘Penny Lane,’ ‘Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds’ and ‘Help!’ The album features Dave Mattacks on drums and percussion and Gerry Rafferty on backing vocals and is produced by Ian Samwell. The CD booklet also includes extensive liner notes on the original theatre production and album recording.”
So, there we are. To this day I can’t remember who Bert was and what his connection with the Beatles was in the musical. I do remember that it was entertaining, funny and that Barbara Dickson came over as very much the star of the show. This really launched her career. The next time I saw Barbara was supporting Eric Clapton at Crystal Palace Bowl London. She had just been in the charts with “Answer Me” which launched her career as a major musical force. I remember at the time thinking that I had seen her before the musical at the Empire. Happy days and sweet memories.
Many thanks to eBay which remains a treasure trove of memories and childhood items. It is a very dangerous thing for me as I get tempted to buy childhood toys. Recent purchases have included a Johnny 7 One-Man Army Gun, a Secret Sam case and a Jolly Jim ventriloquist dummy. All toys that I loved as a child. It is great to own them again. It brings back happy memories of Christmas days many years ago. And many thanks to Chris for once again helping me manipulate the blog site.
It has been many years since I saw 
Barbara has appeared around the region many times over the years and I have always meant to go and see her but for some reason, I never did. As this was her farewell tour I figured I should go along and see what the lady was like in concert on this last opportunity. The Glasshouse announced the show: “Theatric. Passionate. A triumphant finale. Legendary Scottish singer, songwriter, musician and actress Barbara Dickson has announced her Farewell Tour with her full band. In her own words ‘I played my first headline tour with full band in 1977. Now, in 2024, I’ve decided to make this one my last. A memorable occasion and a suitable celebration is required. Come and join us to make this tour the most special of all.’ Throughout her career Barbara has achieved countless accolades including two Olivier Awards for her role in Blood Brothers and Spend Spend Spend plus she was awarded an OBE from Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.”
The songs she performed were a mixture of her hits and some which harked right back to her folk club roots and were very traditional. A great performance with a wonderful mixture of tunes. Barbara was accompanied by an excellent band of musicians, including a guy who played a beautiful Scottish pipe. No photography was allowed. During the interval I purchased a couple of programmes and a tea towel! I also invested in a double Jack Daniels which always adds to the sense of occasion.
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