50 Years at the Tower!
It was an incredible 50 years ago in 1976 that Phil Kelsall made his first appearance at the Wurlitzer of the Tower Ballroom. Phil wishes to express his heartfelt thanks for the many kind comments that he has received on reaching this milestone year at the Tower,.
Thank you to everyone for the many kind, inspiring and thoughtful comments regarding my 50 years at Blackpool Tower, which mean a great deal to me. Let's hope there are many more years to come.Where has the time gone? Fifty years seems to have passed in the blink of an eye. The Tower job has certainly 'evolved' over the years.
50 years ago, the audiences in the ballroom were typical family holidaymakers out for a good time and prepared to 'have a go' on the dance floor at dances such as St Bernard's Waltz, Barn Dance, Gay Gordons, and even The Birdie Dance, Agadoo etc. Today, the very popular tea dances are the focus and we see much more serious and dedicated dancers on the floor.
Looking back, I'm proud of the many Gala concerts we used to stage at the Tower, with rare opportunities to demonstrate the full capabilities of the Wurlitzer, with full stage lighting and a capacity seated audience. Not forgetting the chance to play alongside the various bands that have featured in the ballroom such as Charles Barlow, Eric Delaney, Joe Loss, Andy Prior, to name a few.
Another major change over the years has been the now almost all-year-round opening of the ballroom. We now don't have a big start to the season in May, or the closure of the Tower when the Illuminations are flicked off at the end of October.
I am also fortunate to enjoy an excellent working relationship with the Tower's management, all of whom have shown great support, especially when it comes to the care and maintenance of the Wurlitzer.There is now much more awareness of the heritage value of the ballroom, not least highlighted by the annual visit of 'Strictly' and hopefully, the future does seem secure.
I can honestly say that it is still a source of great pleasure to sit at the console and play what is widely regarded as the world's finest and most distinctive sounding Wurlitzer, and arguably unique, as the most 'played' organ in a public setting.
Along the way, I've made so many friends, some sadly no longer with us. Professionals who inspired me from my recording company (originally EMI), the BBC and others, including Bob Barratt and Stuart Eltham. Harold Eckersley, Peter Pilbeam and the Cushing Family at Thursford. I shall always be grateful to my immediate predecessor Ernest Broadbent, who first introduced me to the Blackpool Tower Company and of course, Reginald Dixon, who always took a friendly interest in what I was doing. Reg was always keen to hear news from the Tower after his retirement from the ballroom, especially on matters concerning the Wurlitzer, which he referred to as 'his baby'!
But most of all, my thanks go to the visitors and regulars at the Tower for their continued support over the years.
Thanks also must go to my family for their support; Julie, Helen and Pearse, together with my late parents, Bill and Edna. Big thanks also must go to Alan Greenhalgh for acting as my business manager and problem-solver for the past 45 years.
The camaraderie and friendship of my Tower colleagues, who have been part of the onstage team past and present, has also been a rewarding part of daily life at the Tower.
Many of you reading this will be personal friends, and that is something I treasure.I look forward to seeing you all in the ballroom again this year. The Wurlitzer is undergoing maintenance as I write; we are all 'fired up' for another year of dance music in the ballroom. See you there!
Tweet