Interesting Press Report
Occasionally provincial newspapers print feature items that deserve the attention of our readers.
In fact we wish more newspapers would follow the example of the celebrated Liverpool Echo, who
printed an item about a player that appeared at Pontin's first Prestatyn Home Electronic Organ
Festival in 1981 - the days when around 2,000 enthusiasts attended a single venue.
The item is reproduced in full in case it may only be on the Liverpool Echo's web site for a
limited time. As an acknowledgement to the newpaper, we give a direct link to them in order
that you may visit their website.
Music maestro please
Jul 21 2007 by Peter Grant, Liverpool Echo
THERE’S only one thing Dave Nicholas regrets in his life: never seeing the last 10 minutes of all his favourite films.
That’s because organist Dave is the much-loved star of the Philharmonic Hall’s Classic Movie nights.
Unique as the UK’s only resident cinema organist, he has never missed a single night in 18 years of playing there.
At 72, dedicated Dave cuts quite a figure in his Roxborough tartan kilt – a family connection on his mother’s side.
He’s been sporting the kilt for various functions for 20 years.
Dave, who lives in Tranmere, calls it his little “gimmick, part of the fun of the evening”.
“Mine is the only classical organ playing for films in the world,” he says proudly. “And it’s here in Liverpool.”
The Merseyside musical maestro plays at the start and the end of each showing.
The final curtain of the current season comes down at the end of July with Great Expectations before the curtain rises on another season of classic films in September.
Birkenhead-born Dave’s performances illustrate a real love for what he calls ‘movie magic.’
Showbusiness is clearly in his blood. He was born opposite the Plaza cinema in Birkenhead and, from an early age, gained a reputation for playing the organ.
His musical talent has taken him across the county entertaining fans.
He has also met some big variety names along the way.
Dave tells the ECHO: “I started off at the Plaza in Birkenhead. From there I went to the holiday camps for 12 years, then after a season in Scarborough, I worked from home.”
Classical Dave was the organ and piano demonstrator at Rushworth’s store in Liverpool city centre for 20 years.
He says: “The Philharmonic organ is a Rushworth’s classical pipe organ and it did pose a bit of a challenge at first.
“But audiences have fallen in love with it when this great machine rises majestically from the floor.”
The Phil and its staff have a place in his heart, too.
Carl Davis and the RLPO recently played Happy Birthday to him and all the musicians signed a photograph. He was presented with a Waterford crystal clock and a special model tram set.
“My other interest is model cars; I have about a thousand,’’ he smiles.
Dave says he sees no time when he will stop playing the organ.
“I play at church halls and at places like Orrell Park ballroom and for the United Reformed church in Tranmere. Pensioner dos, that type of thing.
“I have got a good sense of humour, I’ve been told. I asked the Phil if I could have a Zimmer space in the car park.”
Dave says he is proud to have been the first resident organist at the Sandon pub back in 1957 – it’s been 50 years since he graced that famous bar in Oakfield Road, Anfield.
From there success beckoned in the Butlins camps.
“I remember seeing Ringo Starr and Rory Storm in Skegness before Ringo went on to join The Beatles in 1962,” he recalls. “They didn’t mix with us.”
He has shared the stage with presenter Johnny Ball and, from Crackerjack, one of the original hosts, Bert Hayes.
Dave has also worked with Freddie ‘Parrott Face’ Davies in Blackpool at the Metropole and comic legend Les Dawson at Filey, North Yorkshire in the 70s.
“He was a great man and very modest with it; such a happy memory,” says Dave.
Other highlights have been a tour with ‘Mr Blackpool’, the great Reginald Dixon, and meeting the legendary music hall star Bud Flanagan who sang the Dad’s Army theme and was part of Flanagan and Allen.
“We met on numerous occasions and he was a smashing person,” says Dave.
Having released albums and a CDs of his work, Dave has no intention of turning over the sheet music for the last time.
“I love it; it’s my way of life,” he says. “The chat, the colour, the presentation: I’m part and parcel of the movie package.
“I was looking through my photo album and Doreen Chadwick, a female organist, was there in my album.
“I met her fifty years ago and she met me again recently. She signed it again 50 years on.
“Do you know?” says this gentle gentleman. “She is playing this week in Manchester. She is 90. Isn’t that lovely?
“I love my job, like Doreen loves hers, and I am thrilled seeing the audience enjoy the magic of cinema and organ music.”
Direct Link to the Liverpool Echo
Photograph of Dave Nicholas kindly supplied by Alan Ashton.
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