Phil Kelsall MBE
Congratulations to Phil on the announcement that he has been awarded the MBE, for services to music, in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
This well-deserved honour recognizes Phil's over thirty-five years of entertaining the public, all but two of them as principal resident organist at Blackpool Tower.
During these years Phil has also received professional recognition from the music industry itself, notably in the award of the coveted Gold Badge of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors. Three of Phil's albums have received awards from The Music Retailers Association.
BLACKPOOL TOWER BALLROOM - Summer Season
Phil has now returned to Blackpool Tower for an incredible 36th Season. Playing days and times vary throughout the summer and it is always worth checking direct with Blackpool Tower for the latest information before making your visit to avoid disappointment. The direct contact number for Blackpool Tower is 01253 622242.
Generally speaking the Tower is open each day except Mondays and Fridays apart from school holidays when the buildings are open daily. Phil is likely to be playing in the Ballroom on most days until mid October although he will be away during the first two weeks in August.
STOCKPORT TOWN HALL - SUMMER BALL - 28th August
Although Phil has played in concert many times at Stockport Town Hall, the occasion of the Summer Ball is the first time that Phil will have played for dancing in the Town Hall's magnificent ballroom. This special event includes a hot pot supper and tickets are available from the Town Hall on 0845 8330973.
Welcome to My World - New Release
Phil's latest CD, Welcome to My World, recorded on the Tower Wurlitzer, has now been released. Please see the CDs & DVDs page for further details.
Phil Kelsall on LP
Strangely we have received a number of enquiries recently about what recordings were released by Phil on LP. It seems that a number of these are now turning up and are becoming collectors' items.
Phil's first recording on the Tower Wurlitzer, 'Thank You For the Music' was made in 1978 and released on LP on the EMI label. All Phil's Blackpool recordings were released on LP until 1990 when cassette tapes became the new medium. In addition, two recordings of the Yamaha FX 20 were also made on vynal during this period. Needless to say, all these releases have been deleted from the catalogue many years ago.
For the collectors out there, the complete list of Phil's LP recordings, excluding compilation issues, are as follows:-
Tower Wurlitzer
Thank You For the Music (EMI - OU2211) 1978
Blackpool Bounce (EMI - NTS 176) 1979
Blackpool Singsong (EMI - NTS 196) 1980
Ticket to Ride (EMI - NTS 219) 1981
Meet Me at the Tower (EMI - NTS 234) 1982
Blackpool Dance Party (EMI - NTS 236) 1983
I've Heard That Song Before (EMI - NTS 1078381) 1984
Party Dance Night (EMI - EG 240 2711) 1985
Fascinating Rhythm (EMI - EMS1171) 1986
It's Just the Time for Dancing (Grasmere - GRALP18) 1987
Unforgettable Hits of the 50s (Grasmere - GRALP25) 1988
Beneath the Light s of Home (Grasmere - GRALP34) 1989
Sequence Dancing Favourites (Grasmere - GRALP39) 1990
Yamaha FX20
All I Ask of You (Grasmere - GRALP25) 1988
Love Changes Everything (GRALP36) 1989
In total, since 1978, Phil has released fifty orginal albums, mostly recorded on the Tower Wurlitzer. This does not include complilations or re-releases.
TOUR DATES 2010
Please see our Tour Dates page for details of Phil's 2010 engagements.
You'll Do, Ron Pike! (An autobiography by Ron Pike)
One of Phil's keenest fans has written a very readable autobiography, the proceeds of which will be donated to various charities. Phil is happy to support this venture and the book is currently available through our on-line shop. For further information, click on the CD and Video link and then select 'books'.
