Page 14.,
BuĤECORDS by PETER BUCHAN
A home where a boy makes
mic
big money
THE house in North London looks just like its 100 nelghbours. The gate, oven when seen in the light
THE
of street lamps, needs a cont of paint. Inside, in the family living-room, a plastic-toppel table and a television sot stand side by side.
The family mother, housewife in her forties; father,
the manager of a cluthing shop; and the non,
13-year-old
n
schoolboy-alt sound an electric
Are.
It could be any house, almost any family, anywhere
Lain. But there is
difference:
In Bri-
one big
the 13-year-old
schoolboy has made £1,500
Just over two months.
In
Hin name is Lau:le London. He is dark-haired and tiny-an inch under 5ft.
Six
ago he was just months another schoolboy travelling cach day to a grammar school in Whitechapel to take his seat in Form 3A.
What happened to change all that?
Entranced
Back in September, when the school holidays were drawing to went an end, Laurie London
the with a party of friends to
Ladio Show.
From the
. . frst
LAURIE LONDON recording made the hit parade.
Saya his mother: 1 had other plans for him. I wanted hlin to go into one of the profes. slons-be a doctor, perhaps.
"Bul suppose this is a
fession too."
Says his father: "I hope will be able to give up selling elothes in a shop and his personal manager."
THE
THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 1958.
THE BOOM IN LONDON'S TIN PAN ALLEY
The Softly Softly man makes £8000 a year
HE Tin Pan Alley Club, just off Denmark Street, London, is a kind of licensed cupboard. The large clientele of this small club is made up of Britain's men of music-record company executives, bandsmen, music publishers, song- writers and song-pluggers.
Music is the sole topic of con- versation, and it is discussed over large whiskies or small beers, deperding on how is treating the Mother Music members at the time.
I went to the Tin Pan Alley pro-Chub to see Paddy Roberts, who Is a songwriter of much con-
To
it. tre prove sequence. ordered large whiskies.
Paddy Roberts, in white shirt, sober tie, tweeds and polished remotely shoes, does not look like the popular misconception of a songwriter. I said that I live in a bet he didn't even
become
Sayu Laurie London: "It hasn't made much difference to
me,
The boys at school don't treat me any differently, and they aren't jealous.
"No, I haven't made any more girl friends. I had one, but she said I was too short.
television
garret. B.B.C.
open invita. stand blared un tion for anyone who cared to show's closed perform on the television circuit to step up,
stood сл Laurie London tranced as singer atter singer stepped in front of the micro- poonies and cameras.
"About the only real change is that I have been let off school this week to rehearse for a TV pantomiine,"
Mr Rberta said: "I live in a comfortable four bedroomed house which stands in its own grounds at Gerrards Cross, I have a wife and two sens-17 I cat and 14-and a bulldog. regularly and well, and I trans- port myself to and from town
He explains his sudden suc-in a Jaguar. At last he plucked up enough courage to take his place in the cogs by saying: "I sing what i other found like and I know thut and eventually queue
some same teenagers facing those tumself cameras and microphones.
In a voice which
is
have
the
tastes."
An
Competition
untrained mixture of enthusiasm Can Laurie London stay
and volume, Laurie
the
Ramsden
Greig
musle-holla.'
This
mure wus
PADDY ROBERTS
Inspiration? No it's just a business
at
Destroy these men said Hitler
THE
BOOK PAGE
By XAN FIELDING
THESE MEN ARE DANGEROUS, By D, I. Harrison, Cassoli.
161.
"Captured S.A.S. troops must be handed over af once to the nearest Gestapo unit..........these men are very s dangerous....they must be ruthlessly exterminated."
The order was signed "Adolf Hitler."
TO other British unit was ever paid such a compliment. To be singled out for special treatment by the Fuhrer himself! But the S.A.S.-or, to give its name, in full, the Special Air Service-fully deserved the honour, as anyone who reads its history will agree. Yet It was almost disbanded before it really got going. -
Founded
In September 1941 rullitary activity gradually by Lleat-colonel (then Lieut.) came to on end da more David Stirling, DSC, and Lieut, and more of Europe
Was thele Jock Lewes with 73 men of the liberated,
"mechanised Middle East Commando, it was mess-ting were still to be seen soon causing a lot of useful on the field of Battle in a rolo havoc behind Rommel's lines for which they had never been in the Western Desert.
substitutes Icr
intended-g armoured cars,
But as soon as the African campaign was over, a short-
SPIRIT AND DASH sighted GHQ in Cairo deelded it had no further use for S.A.5.
Even then they retained the Fortunately Major Paddy Mayne, who was
then in command, spirit and dash they had shown showed the spirt that was even in the good old days, when to hla DSO and the SAS was army," Much to the dismay of tually to win him three bars acting on their own as a "private militarist (and.
allowed to continue, albeit in a very German arc
Eggs and caviare
the "I trained as a pilot in RAF. After the war I flew with BOAC. In a regular job started writing songs agnka."
Mr Roberts sald that he
new role (as a special assault force operating In conjunction with regular troops) and with its strengih reduced to 355,
FIRST TASK
no doubt of many a Belush brass-hat too) they still appear- ei to treat the war as a sport, Perhaps they teally regarded it. as such. But then they could afford 10. For if they were also were
they sportsmen
out a doubt we were in the com- pany of an Inspired genius.
Mr Roberts ordered two more said: "In large whiskies and
£2,500 (Tom 1955 I earned writing songs. In 1956 I made £4,000. This year I should clear £8,000.
"When I found that to live
on a walking-on "Got to employ an accountant, named a Max Bygraves show
to take this business. Our after that one) was mine, too." han tou, in
The
however, Mr part in a West End play future, in the myst money cuines in
From our loberts said, looked us if it three guineas a week, and when complicated way. publishers we get 10 per cent of were going to be pretty tough that ended play the piano on a the selling price of the sheet for the songwriter. With rock barrow in Oxford Street, I de- Se n' roll and skifile nudging each cided to give songwriting a miss
the hit lemporarily. music. If our songs corded, the publisher gets 1350 other for positions in
Mr Roberts and his for every record sold. We get parades
might colleagues half of that. Every time
our composing "These days song-writing is u
sung is broadcast we get a cut quite easily have to revert to business, and to succeed at it
of the broadcasting fee. On on £2,500 a year. 11 tackle it in you have to
he said, "with average it works out at £5 "You see," business-like manner.
broadcast. Money also trickles rock 'n' roit and skime the tune
Its first task in this form was specialists, and when they took "There is no
In room
te, silence a coastal battery In
a risk they were pretty sure to profession any more for inspired in from the dance-halls and already there. And as for as
lyrics are concerned they don't didn't care who said it, but you Sicily as a prelude to the Allied have calculated it in advance. gentuses who work only when
than the men
a damn. The kids can
can't write songs on an empty
Invasion of Europe. The batte y they receive The Call,
write them themselves. They're stomach.
was silenced. General Dempsey's "Inspiration bes never come inspired genlus could stand.
is unly mumbo-jumbo, anyway."
"Now
songwriting my 13 Corps then landed-to find
To bo audacious It is mɔt to me in my bath or on top of a
Initiative the I asked Mr Roberts how one bread and butter. Figuratively that on its own bus. 1 write my songs at my
also SAS had
captured two necessary to be foolhardy, and... study
songwriter, bearing spooking, you understand." desk
business during
When he left, Paddy Roberts became
I said I understood and that further batterics and taken the no one was more aware of this". Down in mind that the best ones were hours. If the work is com said: "Ever hear Lay
now free
naval bast of than the men of the SAS. This. to important of not inspired genitses but inen. Mr Roberts was missioned by a film company It Your Arms? That was one
exciting record of their actions jump into his Jaguar and drive | Augusta." during the who entered the profession is, of course, easier. Because I nine. Wrole it
and eggs
From Sicily to Italy, from proves the truth of their motto: know exactly what sort of stuff Suez trouble. The right time to one might take up Insurancu os home to his bolled
caviore.
Italy to France, and finally into Who Dares Wina wrlie
you march,
know, real estate. they are after.
~London" Expraan: Jærvice): 1 He said: "Personally,' took
Holland and Germany self- "If, on the other hand, I am Everybody had soldiers on the
My two it up because I didn't like the working off the cuff 1 looks up brain, you understand. the hit
500 parade, what's sons called me a square when, jeb 1 was ins. I was a lawyer But the when I arrived in Britain from popular, and try to create some they heard the tune. thing sunlar. That's the only unit made a lot of money. Anne South Africa before the war. I the Top cathed, the law business, but But Laurie London has a way to write songs these days Shelton look into
Ten.
liked writing songs. So I de His first recording of a song slight edge on them. He sings and make money,
Six-Five. Sure, I've written a lot
cided to set up in business as'a од numbers called He's Got the Whole World two in His Hands, was issued on Special (Parlophone PMC 1047, stuff that hasn't sold. But the Eve Boswell helped make that songwriter. As with most pro-
you brash, noisy dlse, more
write the better one a hlt. Remember Horsey, fessions, it wasn't easy at first, October 18. It rose to eighth in 33 rpm), a the hit parade, hos sold inspired by television's
chance you have of indlog a Horsey? I wrote that before In fact, it was damned dificult. hil among it" quarter of a million copies so day night show for teenagers.
the war, and it still brings me Publishers had never heard of In about a pound week in 10. So why should they bother It is already selling fast. And far, and has made for
to listen to an unknown at their Landon £1,500.
young Mr London's chances of
nyalties.
"Softly, Softly, Evermore, Denmark Street doors crying What difference has success carning £9,000 a year all year
Meet Me ou the Corner (they I've got a song?.. made to him? And his family? look more assured.
Steele.
na
London the top? Bang his song, accompanying
His father says: "Certainly he free as with movements
will." those of Presley or Tommy His recording chiet agrees,
When he had finished but is worried in case he can
enough Laurie he started to leave the platform. not prepere
It was then that things began London recordings to tide over
the inevitable time when to happen,
his Louie London was stopped voice breaks. and led into an ofce
moment only three the stand. He was questioned British artists are selling more and his name and address were records that Lauric London
comparatively aged Jim taken. By the end of the week the
behind
At the
he had been booked to appear Dale (22), Malcolm Vaughan
contract.
on a real television show and (28), and Petula Clark (25). had signed a recording
Laurie
Satur-
of
A Bitle man with long hair, a pale face and a tattered manu- script cose came into the club and ordered-a small beer, With-
VIGNETTES OF LIFE
YOU DECIDE TO BRING SUNSHINE INTO THE HEARTS OF OTHERS-AND WHAT DOES IT GET YOU? THE LADIES THINK YOU'RE A WOLF, AND THE MEN THINK YOU'RE
GOING TO SELL THEM SOMETHING.
Square
"Pickin' a Chicken was mine.
Those Good Resolutions
WHEN TEMPTED, BE RESOLUTE —
LOOK THE OTHER WAY.
YOU RESOLVE
TO AVOID
SCANDALOUS
TALES-
THEN ALONG
COMES A
DANDY
THAT'S TOO GOOD TO KEEP TO
YOURSELF
YOU RESOLVE TO WORK
HARD, KEEP REGULARIS HOURS, AND GET AHEAD
AND WHAT. HAPPENS.?" SOMEONE GIVES A PARTY
AND THERE YOU ARE -- IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.
CARTAM
COPR. 197 BY GENERAL FEATURES CORP. TM-WORLD RIGHTS, RESERVED)!
REPEATING
YOU MAKE A
VOW TO WATCH YOUR,
LANGUAGE-
BUT THAT
WAS BEFORE YOU HEARD
THAT THE “BROTHER-IN-LAW BORROWED- YOUR PRIZE:
SHOTGUN.
13
I told him to watch out that he did not become aspired on the way.
ut each stage of the long march to victory the SAS was always or two jumps ahead.
"
With a wife, two children, a
a Literally so, for it was usually house in lis own grounds,
ils mobile: Jaguar and, a bulldog to sup- by parachute that port, we didn't want him turn+columns strived, to cicur the
way for the ing into an inspired genlus.
NEXT WEEK
The men who stake thousands on a voice
-(London Express Service).
vanco.
great Allled adde
Less glamorous perhaps than the cloak-and-dagger boys of the BOE (Special Operations Fxecutive the sabotage organi.. these Jeep-borne cation), troopers were probably more adaptable. For even when para-
By Harry Weinert
YOU TRY TO CUT DOWN ON SMOKING AND FIND YOU'RE INHALING EVERYONE
ELSE'S SMOKE - YOU MIGHT AS
WELL INHALE, YOUR OWA.
IN A RASH MOMENT YOU SUGGEST CANCELLING ALL
DEBTS—AND. THE BIRD WHO
OWES YOU TEA IMMEDIATELY MAKES ANOTHER TOUCH.
A MAN CAN BE NOBLE FØR JUST
AND THEA ALL DETE ARE OFF
AUDACIOUS
-
Mr. Peyrefitte Sings A Shrill Note
THE KEYS OF ST. PETER. By Roger Peyrefitto (tr. E. Hyami). Socker and Warburg. 18. 320 pogos.
ORE than half a million
Mcoples of The Keys of
St Peter have been sold in France and Italy. It would be interesting to know how. many of its readers were: the anticlericals who abound in Catholic coun«.. tries, and how many
like the author himself, Roman Catholics, critical of practices which have over- grown the early Christian faith.
This is a questloh which the English reader cannot attempt
to answer for himself.
In
M. Peyrefitte's '- novel Victor Mas, a 28-year-old French seminarist, pricked by the flesh and goaded by superiora, gets himself appoint- od secretariat assistant to the nable, learned and censorious Cardinal Belloro in Rome. The Cardinal' tells Vielor he`will make a Roman pricsi" of him and with a garrulous cyniciam embarks on a series of lectures exposing the Vatican and the machinery of the Church
of Rome which are zo exhaustivé-. ly denigrating that they become exhausting.
False saints, false relics and false miracles; political in- trigues, financial skulduggery, superstition these are subjects on which the Cardinal; [his] credulous chaplain, his obedient secretary and anyone else-hold- forth with glib cundour tas
There are only two excOS, Lons, the Cardinal's cynical manservant and Paola, the chaplain's niece, who makes advances to Victor in the cata combr and seduces him in a fifth-floor apartment of a friend. By the time the abbe' Mas has advanced to the order of subdeacon," Paola haz vided his vocation is to marry her; and the bewlidorod Victor thinks so, too.
Ac-
At this moment the Cardinal. died bug leaves Victor his con Eldorable *förtune." "Together with the opportunity ofther to leave orders and marry his mistress, or to leave its inistross and become a prince of the" Church In Home, orelhe eventually dorides, to return to holy, poverty in France,"
by Arthur Calder-Marshall
-- London, Espree Service).