NME announces Terry Dene is offered “Oh Boy!” date. It is unclear whether Dene did honour this booking on 25th April:

TERRY DENE, demobbed from the army last Thursday, plans a comeback. An appearance on ABC-TV's "Oh Boy!" may mark his return to show business. Negotiations are going on for him to follow this with a series of Sunday concerts.

His agent, Hyman Zahl, said: Jack Good is interested in Terry for "Oh Boy!" on April 25. I have also been offered a series of Sunday concerts teaming him with his wife, Edna Savage."

Looking tanned and fit, Terry spent a long time with music publishers in Tin Pan Alley (Denmark Street) on Tuesday, listening to new songs.

Terry hopes to cut a new disc within the next fortnight under his new agreement with Decca revealed in last week's NME.

CHERRY WAINER IN PALACE VARIETY

ORGANIST Cherry Wainer makes her West End debut on Monday. She is the latest name to be added to the big variety bill headed by American comedian Alan King at the Palace Theatre, London.

The mudlarks and singer-comedienne Audrey Jeans have already been named as other attractions.

The first performance on Monday has been sold entirely as a charity performance in aid of the Jewish National Fund.

The legal battle between Harry Robinson and Jack Good over the use of the Lord Rockingham name ends amicably, the NME reveals:

INTO my office on Tuesday morning, heavily laden with suit cases, struggled "Oh Boy!" producer, Jack Good - a refugee from ABC-TV's move from its Wardour Street address to its handsome new studios at Teddington.

"Got to find somewhere away from the chaos, so that I can do some work," he declared - and promptly transformed my office into the "Oh Boy!" administration centre.
Jack made a succession of telephone calls from my desk regarding artists he proposes booking for the next "Oh Boy!" series, when it resumes after a summer recess in September.

Since he is still in the throes of negotiations, I am not yet able to reveal the names he's attempting to secure. Let me just say that if certain plans materialise, "Oh Boy!" viewers are in for a very exciting time next autumn.

I was most anxious to know if Jack envisages any change in format when the show returns after its summer rest. Jack assured me that it would be "very different" from the present show.

I'm not quite sure what changes I shall make," he told me. "But I think it's most desirable that we shouldn't get into a rut.

When we started 'Oh Boy!' our lighting effects were very much of a novelty. Now they are no longer news, so I shall have to find some additional innovation.

"The secret of successful television lies in keeping one jump ahead."

Delicate

I tackled Jack on the rather delicate subject of his legal tussle with Lord Rockingham MD, Harry Robinson.

"It was an unfortunate misunderstanding," explained Jack. "Harry has always been a good friend of mine, but I realised that he felt he had a good reason for taking this attitude. Anyway, I am very glad that the complications have now been ironed out and that it's smooth sailing from now on."

Tomorrow (Saturday), "Oh Boy!" comes to the nation's screens for the first time without any direct competition from the BBC, who have switched their new "Drumbeat" series to the 6.30 time slot. "It's very flattering," grins Jack.

Reflecting upon the days when he was in such keen competition with "6.5 Special," Jack pointed out that it was rreally the this latter programme which was responsible for kicking off "Oh Boy!"

"It was a result of doing the stage presentation of '6.5 Special' that I gained sufficient insight into presentation and lighting for me to be able to think in terms of a show like 'Oh Boy!'."

Ambition

Jack's present beat-show commitments occupy practically all his time, but he still retains a burning ambition to produce a television drama. He also tells me that he would not be averse to devoting some time to films or the theatre.

"I should want to retain my contact with television," he said, "as obviously it is the medium of the day. But by exploring fresh fields, it's always possible to bring something fresh back into television."

Jack intends to have a complete break from the rigours of production, for when the show concludes its present run on May 30, he is going to Italy for ten weeks-"to get away from it all!"

Meanwhile, Harry Robinson looks as though he will have a hectic schedule of one-nighters with Lord Rockingham's XI, though he and his wife, Ziki, also hope to be able to snatch a mid-summer rest.

At any rate, it is pleasing to know that there is no longer internal controversy within the "Oh Boy!" camp, and that Jack Good-that stalwart creator of new television ideas - still hopes to find something fresh for the next series.

Final word from Jack, regarding BBC-TV's new "Drumbeat" series: "I should think they have a very good chance of succeeding!" Indeed it is possible that both channels will increase their audience rating, as a result of no longer being in direct competition.

DEREK JOHNSON

But lack of presentation mars Rockingham Band on stage

LORD ROCKINGHAM'S XI and Harry Robinson stood on their own feet on stage for the first time on Sunday. At Birmingham Hippodrome, topping a concert bill, they made their debut away from "Oh Boy!" surroundings.

The gutty sound and the impressive beat was there in full measure. They produced as much excitement on the stage as in the TV or recording studios. This was surprising. Cherry Wainer is not appearing with the band; indeed, there was no organ at all, yet it seemed to make little difference.

But the presentation - or lack of it - was very disappointing.

A pity

The ABC-TV show is so slick and polished and the dramatic lighting builds the excitement. It was a pity more was not done to preserve these features in the band's stage presentation.

Harry Robinson, the band's MD and arranger, displayed an unsuspected ability as a light comedian in introducing the show. He did an impression of Bill Haley, made the distinctive Rockingham comments (Moose loose," etc.) and did the novelty instrumental bits - kazoo and penny whistle, as well.

Red Price has two spots - a vocal of "Rumble, Tumble," and a tenor solo, "Week-end." Also featured were pianist Ian Fraser in "Gazachteshagen," guitarist Ernie Ford ("Cannon Ball") and the percussionists in "Topsy II."

Most of the band's numbers were drawn from its recordings - "Fried Onions," "Blue Train" "Wee Tom" and, of course, "Hoots Mon."

The music certainly scored. When the stage presentation is as good, Lord Rockingham's XI will be really sensational.