This week I’ve been sharing some private diary entries from 1979 with a group of men in their 60’s,. I had been searching for the diary for a different reason but when I found the information I did, I just had to share it with them.
I remember an old and wise Radio Producer telling me that I should never take the role of being a Radio Presenter for granted. ‘Everyday’, he said ‘you get a chance to talk to people, that most of the world only ever hear on the radio’.
Over the past few years I seem to spend a lot of time on the phone, or email or drinking coffee with Ian Parsons from Neath, the man I call Wales’ answer to Cameron Mackintosh.
The trouble with reaching this great age is that I sometimes forget about some of the more unusual projects I have been involved in along the way. Like that time I had a big dance hit record in Italy…a masterpiece amongst enthusiasts and collectors of dancefloor sleaze and downtempo wellness.
As I build up to the climax of my Golden Jubilee with a concert at the Swansea Arena on 3rd October I will be releasing a new track every month. This month’s release is a special collaboration with Grammy nominated Zeke Listenbee. Next month’s release features the piano played by Paul McCartney on ‘Live and let Die’.
Another whirlwind week. If I’m lucky I might meet myself coming back sometime on Sunday!!!
The week started in Westminster, took in Aberystwyth, Onllwyn Swansea Market and Tabernacle Morriston and ends tomorrow at Swansea Arena.
Last Sunday I hosted the Swansea Christmas Parade. You really could feel the excitement in the crowds as they waited to see the Jolly little round man in red. (I’m not talking about me although I did turn up in a red puffer jacket.)
When should Christmas start? Is it when the monsters, ghosts and ghoulies return to the dressing up box, when the final sparkler fizzles out or when the Christmas adverts start appearing in between ‘I’m Celebrity… Get me Out of Here’?
For me Christmas started back in January.
Stan Pope served in the Royal Navy and saw action during the war but my father’s war started earlier than his navy days and much closer to home.
