Roy Hudd's Cavalcade of Variety Acts

Singer/Composer and ukulele player. Born in Sunderland in 1923. On the radio Billy always finished his spot by saying: 'And finally, to prove that melody can be played on the ukulele...' He would then go into an intricate 'uke' solo where he did indeed prove that melody could be played on that much abused instrument. He was just superb. I especially loved his playing of the original wooden ukulele, not the more strident 'Formby' instrument. He began at the Empire, Newcastle in 1936 and, from then on his boyish, full-of-fun personality and brilliant musicianship enlivened Variety bills everywhere. He always featured his own songs and some good 'uns he had too. My son's godfather, the comic Eddie Reindeer, always used a song of Bill's which I think sums up the life of a Variety pro perfectly. Here's just a snatch of 'You Go On With The Show': 'Trav'ling round in a small revue Learn the game like the troopers do 'Till you've caught every train from Crewe You go on with your show. Once it's over your feeling grand, Had them eating out of your hand. If you didn't you blame the band, - and go on with your show.' When Variety finished Bill became an agent for a few years. He packed that in and discreetly, put it about that he would like to work on-stage again. To his amazement he wasn't forgotten. He played summer seasons, pantos, one-night stands, the lot. A few years back we had a Water Rats Lodge near Manchester. Bill turned up and took the Lodge by storm. He did his show biz parodies of famous songs. All updated and just brilliant. Mike Craig recorded them just for the Rats. Bill is now retired and living on a narrow boat (now he is living in Southport, Lancashire - PP). It's a crying shame that, in the words of his signature tune, 'He's only singing for one.' ©Roy Hudd with Philip Hindin Roy Hudd's Cavalcade of Variety Acts Robson Books -- ISBN 1 86105 115 8 Read Alan Southworth's words on Billy Recordings of Billy on a CD are available in the GFS Shop