Cover versions of some of the songs that George
made famous
HERMAN’S HERMITS
LEANING ON A LAMP
POST
Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits were a popular 60’s group
who’s biggest UK hit was, “I’m In To Something Good” which
reached No 1 in August 1964. They had many other hits and in
April 1966 recorded ‘Lamp Post’ but ironically did not release it
in the UK.
But it did reach No 2 in New Zealand!
CLINTON FORD
FANLIGHT FANNY
Clinton Ford was a very popular and versatile singer in the UK in
the 50’s and 60’s and featured on many broadcasts of the BBC’s
light programme, Saturday Club.
LONNIE DONEGAN
AUNTIE MAGGIE’S
REMEDY
Lonnie was known as “The King of Skiffle” and was a very big
star and had lots of hits between 1956 and 1962 but when the
Beatles appeared, Lonnie faded. He recorded ‘Auntie Maggie in
1967 but it did not chart.
ARTHUR ASKEY
HOLD YOUR HATS ON
Arthur was a big star for many years, making his début on the
variety stage in 1924 and continuing to work in to his 80’s.
Like George, Arthur was a well-loved character.
NORMAN WISDOM
LEANING ON A
LAMP POST
Norman (in my opinion) took over from George in the 1950’s as
England’s best comedian and also made a string of films which
for Wisdom fans, are still popular today.
Norman’s big hit was “Don’t Laugh At Me Cos I’m A Fool”.
BILL HALEY AND
THE COMETS
YOU CAN’T STOP ME
FROM DREAMING
There are lots of different versions of this song, I could easily fill
this page with it! It must be one of the most popular covers of all
time.
Who better than the one and only the Father of Rock n Roll, Bill
Haley to come up with this version. Push the chairs back and
get jiving!
DICK ROBERTSON
YOU CAN’T STOP ME
FROM DREAMING
Dick Robertson was a popular American band leader and
songwriter in the 1930’s and 1940’s. I only discovered Dick a
few months ago but have to say that his albums are very well
produced and listenable.
DICK ROBERTSON
CHINESE
LAUNDRY BLUES
Dick Robertson again with a great version of Chinese Laundry
Blues. It is unusual to listen to an American accent singing the
song after listening and playing George’s version so many times.
DANNY LA RUE
FANLIGHT FANNY
Danny was tops in variety and TV for many years from the
1960’s and was still doing pantomime shortly before his death at
age 81. A totally colourful and very popular character throughout
his career.
GRACIE FIELDS
LIKE THE BIG POTS DO
Gracie Fields was a mega-star at the same time as George
Formby and came from the same Lancashire background. She
made her first stage appearance as a 5-year old in 1905 and
was working right up to her death in 1979. Imagine George and
Gracie in the 1930’s and 40’s, there was nobody bigger than
these two and they were born just 20 miles from each other.
OZZIE NELSON
YOU CAN’T STOP ME
FROM DREAMING
Ozzie was an American band leader in the 1930’s and 1940’s
and also in the 1940’s he developed his own radio show, The
Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. This eventually went on TV in
the States and Ozzie enjoyed a very successful show biz career.
He is also father to well known rock singer, Rick Nelson
THE FOURMOST
AUNTIE MAGGIES REMEDY
The Fourmost were a part of the Mersey Beat story and also
were signed to the Brian Epstein management empire. They had
a couple of really good hits in the UK in 1963 and 1964. Their
first, “Hello Little Girl” is one I fondly remember, but their biggest
hit was “A Little Loving.”
GEORGE HARRISON
IN MY LITTLE SNAPSHOT ALBUM
He visited the GFS in March 1991 along with Jimmy Nail and he
was a member for a while - but he was never President of the
GFS or a honorary member as I keep reading in the press. He
gave the Society publicity at the time and in 1991 the GFS was
booming anyway with the Warrington Exhibition and the showing
of Daniel Wiles The South Bank Show.
MAX MILLER
COME HITHER WITH YOUR ZITHER
The legendary Max Miller! Enormously popular comedian and
known as “The Cheeky Chappie”. He used double entendre to
great effect when telling jokes but he also recorded songs and
starred in films in a career that lasted over forty years.
To quote one of his many catchphrases, Max Miller - “There’ll
Never Be Another”
REG DIXON
ORDINARY PEOPLE
A rare track from Reg Dixon, the Coventry comedian who took
over from George Formby in the hit show, Zip Goes A Million after
George suffered a serious heart attack. Reg stayed with the show
until it closed after 544 performances on 7 February 1953.
LESLIE SARONY
THE OLD KITCHEN KETTLE
A well known entertainer who enjoyed a long and succesful
career in show biz. He made records, wrote songs, appeared in
the West End and made films and was active until into his
eighties on TV. He also had a partnership with Leslie Holmes
(The Two Leslies) from 1933 until 1946.
Diz Disley was famous for his acoustic jazz guitar playing and was
influenced by Django Reinhardt. He featured heavily in British
trad- jazz and skiffle and also brought comedy into his act.
DIZ DISLEY
WITH MY LITTLE UKULELE
IN MY HAND
JOE BROWN
I GO CLEANING WINDOWS
Joe Brown has always been a lover of both the ukulele and George Formby.
A brilliant guitarist and performer who has been a popular figure in
entertainment for over sixty years.
JAN & KJELD
BANJO BOY
Two brothers, Kjeld born in Sweden and Jan born in Denmark. They won
several singing competitions in Denmark/Sweden and appeared on TV and
radio. They released Banjo Boy in 1960 and it went to number 1 in the
German pop charts. They also appeared in a few German films between
1959 and 1962.
LIEUTENANT PIGEON
HAPPY GO LUCKY ME
More famous for the 1972 No 1 UK single “Mouldy Old Dough”,
the band was a spin-off of experimental music group, Stavely
Makepeace. Happy Go Lucky Me looks like a online album track.
CLINTON FORD
FANLIGHT FANNY’S DAUGHTER
CLINTON FORD
MADAM MOSCOVITCH
Clinton introduces Fanlight Fanny’s daughter in the best George
Formby tradition! George was never shy of re-working good
number, especially involving Mr Wu. I wonder when we will hear
this song performed at a Blackpool convention?
Clinton brings back Madam Moscovitch. born in Salford in 1931,
he would have been well aware of the power and popularity
George Formby.
CLINTON FORD
THE LANCASHIRE TOREADOR
CLINTON FORD
WHY DON’T WOMEN LIKE ME
As far as the page is concerned, Clinton is the champion for
George Formby cover songs and is always fondly remembered
when listening to music of the 1960s.
Clinton died in October 2009 age 77. He was living in the Isle of
Man at the time.
This track is Bill Haley’s version of Sweet Sue. Bill and his Comets
were right there in the 1950’s at the birth of Rock n Roll.
Dorothy was a singer and actress who might be remembered in
the UK for her part in “The Roaring Twenties” which was shown on
ABC TV in 1961.
Leon Redbone was a singer-songwriter with his own unique style
of jazz/blues music. He created some lovely albums and is
definitely worth a listen.
BILL HALEY AND THE COMETS
SWEET SUE
DOROTHY PROVINE
HARD HEARTED HANNAH
LEON REDBONE
SOME OF THESE DAYS
BING CROSBY
SWEET GEORGIA BROWN
DEAN MARTIN
DINAH
LES PAUL AND MARY FORD
TIGER RAG
Bing was a superstar from the 1920s to the 1970s and made some
lovely albums. He was also my dad’s favourite!
Actor, singer and comedian which is how he started out with Jerry
Lewis. They split in 1956 and Dean went on to sell many albums
and singles and make many films.
Les Paul was a guitarist, , songwriter luthier and inventor who was
a pioneer in solid body guitars. He and his wife Mary formed a duo
and were very popular on US radio and TV and made many best
selling records.
GEORGE FORMBY
SWING IT GEORGE PART ONE
GEORGE FORMBY
SWING IT GEORGE PART TWO
In 1939 George released a record entitled “Swing It George
Parts 1 & 2” where he included popular standards of that time
that have also been recorded by countless other artists.
Here you can find George Formby’s versions of the songs together
with selected recordings by just a few of the many recording stars
who also sang these songs.
This idea was inspired by GFS member Johnny Key who
provided the first alternative recordings.
Thank you Johnny.
JOE BROWN
HITTIN THE HIGH SPOTS
The legendary Joe Brown MBE (honoured in 2009) recorded this
song for his Hittin The High Spots album which was released in
2004.
HOGSNORT RUPERT
LITTLE UKULELE
Formed in 1968 and one of New Zealand’s longest running bands.
They were first known as Hogsnort Rupert’s Original Flagon Band
and released this track on their 1970 album, “Have A Hogsnort
Rupert Summer.”
The track was suggested by Mr Geoffrey Lamb who took the
trouble to write all the way from Queensland, Australia.
DIZ DISLEY
ON THE WIGAN BOAT EXPRESS
Diz makes a welcome return to this page, he actually recorded an
album of Formby songs. This song comes from that album and the
cover is featured below.
DIZ DISLEY
YOU’VE GOT SOMETHING THERE
Twelve tracks on the album, ten of George’s and two in the
Formby Style. Diz played a banjo-uke as well as singing.
Sadly Diz passed away in 2010.
HERMAN’S
HERMITS
LEANING ON A
LAMP POST
Peter Noone and Herman’s
Hermits were a popular 60’s
group who’s biggest UK hit
was, “I’m In To Something
Good” which reached No 1
in August 1964. They had
many other hits and in April
1966 recorded ‘Lamp Post’
but ironically did not release
it in the UK.
But it did reach No 2 in New
Zealand!
CLINTON FORD
FANLIGHT FANNY
Clinton Ford was a very
popular and versatile
singer in the UK in the
50’s and 60’s and
featured on many
broadcasts of the BBC’s
light programme,
Saturday Club.
LONNIE DONEGAN
AUNTIE MAGGIE’S
REMEDY
Lonnie was known as
“The King of Skiffle” and
was a very big star and
had lots of hits between
1956 and 1962 but when
the Beatles appeared,
Lonnie faded. He
recorded ‘Auntie Maggie
in 1967 but it did not
chart.
ARTHUR ASKEY
HOLD YOUR HATS ON
Arthur was a big star for
many years, making his
début on the variety
stage in 1924 and
continuing to work in to
his 80’s.
Like George, Arthur was
a well-loved character.
NORMAN WISDOM
LEANING ON A
LAMP POST
BILL HALEY AND
THE COMETS
YOU CAN’T STOP ME
FROM DREAMING
There are lots of different
versions of this song, I
could easily fill this page
with it! It must be one of
the most popular covers
of all time.
Who better than the one
and only the Father of
Rock n Roll, Bill Haley to
come up with this
version. Push the chairs
back and get jiving!
DICK ROBERTSON
YOU CAN’T STOP ME
FROM DREAMING
Dick Robertson was a
popular American band
leader and songwriter in
the 1930’s and 1940’s. I
only discovered Dick a
few months ago but have
to say that his albums are
very well produced and
listenable.
DICK ROBERTSON
CHINESE
LAUNDRY BLUES
Dick Robertson again
with a great version of
Chinese Laundry Blues. It
is unusual to listen to an
American accent singing
the song after listening
and playing George’s
version so many times.
DANNY LA RUE
FANLIGHT FANNY
Danny was tops in variety
and TV for many years from
the 1960’s and was still
doing pantomime shortly
before his death at age 81.
A totally colourful and very
popular character
throughout his career.
GRACIE FIELDS
LIKE THE
BIG POTS DO
Gracie Fields was a
mega-star at the same
time as George Formby
and came from the same
Lancashire background.
She made her first stage
appearance as a 5-year
old in 1905 and was
working right up to her
death in 1979. Imagine
George and Gracie in the
1930’s and 40’s, there
was nobody bigger than
these two and they were
born just 20 miles from
each other.
OZZIE NELSON
YOU CAN’T STOP ME
FROM DREAMING
Ozzie was an American
band leader in the 1930’s
and 1940’s and also in the
1940’s he developed his
own radio show, The
Adventures of Ozzie and
Harriet. This eventually
went on TV in the States
and Ozzie enjoyed a very
successful show biz
career. He is also father to
well known rock singer,
Rick Nelson
THE FOURMOST
AUNTIE MAGGIES
REMEDY
The Fourmost were a part
of the Mersey Beat story
and also were signed to
the Brian Epstein
management empire.
They had a couple of
really good hits in the UK
in 1963 and 1964. Their
first, “Hello Little Girl” is
one I fondly remember,
but their biggest hit was
“A Little Loving.”
GEORGE HARRISON
IN MY LITTLE
SNAPSHOT ALBUM
He visited the GFS in
March 1991 along with
Jimmy Nail and he was a
member for a while - but
he was never President of
the GFS or a honorary
member as I keep reading
in the press. He gave the
Society publicity at the
time and in 1991 the GFS
was booming anyway with
the Warrington Exhibition
and the showing of Daniel
Wiles The South Bank
Show.
MAX MILLER
COME HITHER WITH
YOUR ZITHER
The legendary Max Miller!
Enormously popular
comedian and known as
“The Cheeky Chappie”.
He used double entendre
to great effect when telling
jokes but he also recorded
songs and starred in films
in a career that lasted
over forty years.
To quote one of his many
catchphrases, Max Miller -
“There’ll Never Be
Another”
REG DIXON
ORDINARY PEOPLE
A rare track from Reg
Dixon, the Coventry
comedian who took over
from George Formby in
the hit show, Zip Goes A
Million after George
suffered a serious heart
attack. Reg stayed with
the show until it closed
after 544 performances on
7 February 1953.
LESLIE SARONY
THE OLD KITCHEN
KETTLE
A well known entertainer
who enjoyed a long and
succesful career in show
biz. He made records,
wrote songs, appeared in
the West End and made
films and was active until
into his eighties on TV. He
also had a partnership
with Leslie Holmes (The
Two Leslies) from 1933
until 1946.
Diz Disley was
famous for his
acoustic jazz guitar
playing and was
influenced by Django
Reinhardt. He
featured heavily in
British trad- jazz and
skiffle and also
brought comedy into
his act.
DIZ DISLEY
WITH MY LITTLE
UKULELE IN MY HAND
JOE BROWN
I GO CLEANING
WINDOWS
Joe Brown has always
been a lover of both the
ukulele and George
Formby. A brilliant
guitarist and performer
who has been a popular
figure in entertainment
for over sixty years.
JAN & KJELD
BANJO BOY
Two brothers, Kjeld born
in Sweden and Jan born
in Denmark. They won
several singing
competitions in
Denmark/Sweden and
appeared on TV and
radio. They released
Banjo Boy in 1960 and it
went to number 1 in the
German pop charts. They
also appeared in a few
German films between
1959 and 1962.
LIEUTENANT PIGEON
HAPPY GO LUCKY ME
More famous for the
1972 No 1 UK single
“Mouldy Old Dough”,
the band was a spin-
off of experimental
music group, Stavely
Makepeace. Happy
Go Lucky Me looks
like a online album
track.
CLINTON FORD
FANLIGHT FANNY’S
DAUGHTER
CLINTON FORD
MADAM MOSCOVITCH
Clinton introduces
Fanlight Fanny’s
daughter in the best
George Formby
tradition! George was
never shy of re-
working good number,
especially involving
Mr Wu. I wonder
when we will hear this
song performed at a
Blackpool
convention?
Clinton brings back
Madam Moscovitch.
born in Salford in
1931, he would have
been well aware of
the power and
popularity George
Formby.
CLINTON FORD
THE LANCASHIRE
TOREADOR
CLINTON FORD
WHY DON’T WOMEN
LIKE ME
As far as the page is
concerned, Clinton is
the champion for
George Formby cover
songs and is always
fondly remembered
when listening to
music of the 1960s.
Clinton died in
October 2009 age 77.
He was living in the
Isle of Man at the
time.
Cover versions of some of the songs that George
made famous
BILL HALEY
SWEET SUE
This track is Bill
Haley’s version of
Sweet Sue.
Bill and his Comets
were right there in the
1950’s at the birth of
Rock n Roll.
DOROTHY PROVINE
HARD HEARTED
HANNAH
Singer and actress,
a star of The Roaring
Twenties which was
popular on ABC TV in
1961
LEON REDBONE
SOME OF THESE DAY
Leon Redbone was a
singer-songwriter with
his own unique style
of jazz/blues music.
He created some
lovely albums and is
definitely worth a
listen.
BING CROSBY
SWEET GEORGIA BROWN
Bing was a superstar
from the 1920s to the
1970s and made
some lovely albums.
He was also my
dad’s favourite!
DEAN MARTIN
DINAH
Actor, singer and
comedian which is
how he started out
with Jerry Lewis. They
split in 1956 and Dean
went on to sell many
albums and singles
and make many films.
LES PAUL & MARY FORD
TIGER RAG
Les Paul was a
guitarist, , songwriter
luthier and inventor
who was a pioneer in
solid body guitars. He
and his wife Mary
formed a duo and
were very popular on
US radio and TV and
made many best
selling records.
GEORGE FORMBY
SWING IT GEORGE PT 1
In 1939 George
released a record
entitled “Swing It
George Parts 1 & 2”
where he included
popular standards of
that time that have
also been recorded
by countless other
artists.
Here you can find
George Formby’s
versions of the songs
together with
selected recordings
by just a few of the
many recording stars
who also sang these
songs.
This idea was
inspired by GFS
member Johnny
Key who provided
the first alternative
recordings.
Thank you Johnny.
GEORGE FORMBY
SWING IT GEORGE PT 2
JOE BROWN
HITTIN THE HIGH SPOTS
The legendary Joe
Brown MBE
(honoured in 2009)
recorded this song for
his Hittin The High
Spots album which
was released in 2004.
HOGSNORT
RUPERT
LITTLE
UKULELE
Formed in 1968 and
one of New Zealand’s
longest running
bands. They were
first known as
Hogsnort Rupert’s
Original Flagon Band
and released this
track on their 1970
album, “Have A
Hogsnort Rupert
Summer.”
The track was
suggested by Mr
Geoffrey Lamb who
took the trouble to
write all the way from
Queensland,
Australia.
DIZ DISLEY
ON THE
WIGAN BOAT EXPRESS
DIZ DISLEY
YOU’VE GOT
SOMETHING THERE
Twelve tracks on the
album, ten of George’s
and two in the Formby
Style. Diz played a
banjo-uke as well as
singing. Sadly Diz
passed away in 2010.
Diz makes a welcome
return to this page, he
actually recorded an
album of Formby
songs. This song
comes from that
album and the cover
is featured below.
