Billy Fury:- In Thoughts of You 
By Amanda Hodges

"AT his peak he was the greatest rock and roller in the world… In the world!" It was with such emphatic endorsement of Billy Fury's credentials that legendary producer Jack Good spoke at the unveiling of a statue to one of Liverpool's most distinguished native sons two years ago. Billy would have celebrated his 65th birthday this April if a lifetime of heart trouble had not claimed him back in January 1983 at the age of just forty-two. At the time he was poised on the brink of a major career comeback.

Born Ronald Wycherley on 17 April 1940 at Smithdown hospital (now Sefton General) in Liverpool, young Ron spent much of his childhood ensconced in hospital, an early bout of rheumatic fever leaving him with a legacy of heart problems. Cultivating an interest in fast cars and motorbikes as an adult, he'd later declare with defiance, "I kind of enjoy fighting it..my doctor says don't do this, don't do that so I do it all the more.' A gentle, compassionate man who was in most respects an unorthodox rock and roll singer, he would divide much of his later life between London and his Welsh farm, but it was in his hometown of Liverpool that his swift ascent to stardom would take place in late 1958.

Young Ron was working as a deckhand on the Mersey tugboats shortly before submitting some of his own song samples to impresario Larry Parnes for consideration. Receiving an invitation to audition in Birkenhead, a very nervous teenager played his compositions to Marty Wilde (hoping he'd use them) and instead so impressed Parnes that he was literally pushed onto stage after just a ten minute rehearsal, receiving a rapturous reception. Swiftly signed to Decca Records, Ron was given the stage name of Billy Fury and his career was launched with the self-penned Maybe Tomorrow. It's not often realised that Billy was one of the first singer-songwriters of stature in his field at a time when few artists wrote their own material.

A long stream of chart successes followed with Billy becoming Decca's biggest-selling singles artiste of the 1960s, although, inexplicably, he never achieved a number one single. Although a natural rock and roller whose early LP The Sound of Fury is considered a seminal classic of the genre, Billy was groomed as a balladeer, scoring his biggest hits with the likes of Jealousy, Wondrous Place and Halfway to Paradise. In an ironic musical footnote, the embryonic Beatles (then known as the Silver Beatles) unsuccessfully auditioned as his backing band in 1960. 

By the late Sixties years of strenuous performing had taken their toll on Billy's fragile health. He would spend most of the next decade at his farm in the Welsh Brecons caring for a variety of wildlife in his animal sanctuary. It was a characteristic choice for a man happiest away from the spotlight. Yet eventually the lure of music proved irresistible and the early 1980s witnessed Billy back with a new album. He had achieved two chart singles at the time of his sudden demise in January 1983 with the posthumously released Forget Him proving just how ironic such a title would be. 

After a funeral in St John's Wood, Billy was buried in Mill Hill cemetery, a plaque at his home in Cavendish Avenue unveiled in the same year that he would be commemorated by Tom Murphy's statue at the Museum of Liverpool Life. 

In the midst of his career resurgence of the 1980's, determined to maximise whatever time was left, Billy philosophically said:- "I just like to live every day as it comes, as fully as possible." His short life certainly exemplified this and today his musical legacy remains as impressive as ever."

For comprehensive information on Billy Fury's life & career see the website:- www.billyfury.com

Spring is in the air at Grappenhall Library

GRAPPENHALL Library will be playing host to the Warrington Art Group's Spring 2005 Art Exhibition, which starts next month.

The exhibition, which takes place between Saturday 7 May and Saturday 11 June, will showcase about 30 pieces of work on a variety of subjects and there will be a chance for fans to buy some of the pictures.

For more details ring the library on 01925 262861. Opening times are Monday and Wednesday 2pm to 8pm, Thursday 2pm to 5pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1pm.

Live Performers @ Southport Weekender 36

IT Is NEARLY HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes the May Weekender is near.... So who will be live at this top spring music years event...

Terri Walker :: Don Blackman :: Teedra Moses :: Reel People :: Maxine Braham :: Carmen Reece 

Barbara Tucker and Blaze performing together at the Sunday afternoon Finale 

DJ Spen will be bringing the following performers with him: The Muthafunkaz, featuring Biblical Jones & Vonita White from Jasper Street Company and Gary Hudgins formerly of Funkadelica. 

Our good friend Louie Vega back at Southport for the first time in a while and really looking forward to it, is bringing in some performers of his own : Vega Records recording artists; 

Anane & Mr V, plus Elements Of Life percussionists Lusito Quintero & Kevin Jones. 

Anane performs "Nos Vida", "Mon Amour" and her new single "Amazing Love". Mr V performs "Jus Dance", "V Gets Jazzy", "Something With Jazz". 

A few words from Louie Vega, April 2005:- "Coming from the Maw Family, Vega Records was formed by myself, Louie Vega last April with the idea of releasing all of the Elements Of Life music. 

In the process, my featured artist on EOL, Anane (Singer/Songwriter) is now working on her solo album. Her first single "Amazing Love" released April 2005 will be part of her new album coming this fall "Peace, Love & Musica", on Vega Records. 

Look out for the summer remake by Anane of Bunny Mack's "Let Me Love You", it will shake! While releasing EOL material I wanted to release music that has inspired my Dance Ritual parties and Roots NYC (residencies of Kevin Hedge, Blaze and myself) hence came "A Dance Ritual Selection". Mr. V (DJ/Producer/Artist) is the first artist on "A Dance Ritual Selection" series, "Jus' Dance" and "V Gets Jazzy" are the first two singles by V. He is currently working on his album for Vega Records as well. Look out for a hot show at Southport by these 2 very talented up-incoming artists, I will also bring 2 of my EOL percussionists to jam, I miss you all, it will show in my music, can't wait!" 

And not forgetting the excellent "Basil" Black II Basic on percussion in The Bacardi B Bar. 

We're all very excited about it, but more importantly we hope you are, all in all it looks like another belter of a weekend. The good news is that it was a total sell out more than 3 weeks ago!! With many many people putting there names on the cancellation list without a single advert - who says our music's not happening??

As usual, we've got a few things up our sleeves on the production front to add to your enjoyment. Don't forget to get your best "glads" on as MTV will be down filming for the weekend and will be bringing no other than The Cuban Brothers with them for a special Saturday afternoon performance in The Bacardi B Bar as well as grabbing people for interviews.

The Cuban Brothers stage act has to be seen to be believed - its a mix of comedy, music, slick suits and naked break dancing. With their extra special Cubano flavour ensuring the audience is "havana" great time, they go down a storm at festivals the world over. 

This year MTV is joining them on an unforgettable festival roadtrip - and first stop is at the Southport Weekender. 

Believe it or not we're still looking at the possibility of even more live artists. 

In case this is the first time you've received this eflyer here's a reminder of the full dj line-up:-

LOUIE VEGA, DIMITRI FROM PARIS, GILLES PETERSON, OSUNLADE, JOEY NEGRO, JAZZIE BAND THE FUNKI DREDS, NORMAN JAY, STEVE SUTHERLAND, TERRY HUNTER, DJ DEEP, QUENTIN HARRIS, BOBBY & STEVE, ?UESTLOVE (THE ROOTS), DJ SPEN, RON TRENT, SNOWBOY, PHIL ASHER, ASHA, BUGZ IN THE ATTIC, RONNIE HEREL, SHORTEE BLITZ, KING BRITT, RICHARD SEARLING, BOB JONES, DJ DIGGZ, BIGGER, ANDY DAVIES, TERRY JONES, GARY DENNIS, SIMON DUNMORE, SCOTT BRADFORD, STEVE WREN, DJ SWERVE, THE STARLIGHT CREW, KEV BEADLE, MIKE STEPHENS, BOB JEFFRIES, COLIN CURTIS, SIMON MANSEL, STEVE BUTLER, BILLY DAVIDSON, COLIN PATTERSON, MAX REES AND JONATHAN.