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November 1st

'OH BOY!' SHOW # 8 (Compered by Tony Hall)
RESIDENT WEEKLY BAND & PERFORMERS:
Lord Rockingham's XI,
Red Price,
The Dallas Boys,
Neville Taylor & The Cutters,
Cherry Wainer,
The Vernons Girls.

THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL GUESTS:
Bill Forbes
Cliff Richard
'Cuddly' Dudley
The John Barry Seven
Peter Elliott
Tommy Steele

Tommy rocks up a storm with the Dallas Boys during the live broadcast.

Tommy Steele makes his one and only guest appearance in the entire “Oh Boy!” series. Above is a rare picture of Tommy on the “Oh Boy!” set flanked by the Dallas Boys, the Vernons Girls and Lord Rockingham XI featured in the “Disc” music paper published later that week.

Tommy chats to Jack Good backstage. Tommy Steele rehearses with Neville Taylor and Cliff Richard. The organ featured is Cherry Wainer’s.

Tommy was also booked to appear on the 4th April 1959 edition of the show, but this was postponed for a week until 11th April due to other prior commitments. However a day before the live broadcast, Tommy broke his ankle in an accident and had to cancel the booking. He was due to perform his new single “Hiawatha.”

Three members of The John Barry Seven, guitarist Ken Richards, tenor saxophonist Mike Cox and drummer Ken Golder, made their last appearance with the band on this episode.

A callboy, Jeremy Hoare, was permitted by Jack Good to film the rehearsals and he has uploaded his material onto Youtube.

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November 7th

The NME announces that “Oh Boy!” may become a twice-nightly show. This was the first of two spurious reports to make the headlines in a fortnight:

As producer Jack Good was this week booking Cliff Richard and Don Lang to star in his ABC-TV show "Oh Boy!" until next March, rumours were spreading that it is soon to be extended in a novel form.

From early next month the programme may become a 60-minute production split into two parts - the present show at 6 p.m. and another at the end of the evening. The late show would not be a repeat, but a separate production.

ABC-TV managing director Howard Thomas told the NME: "We have not decided to go ahead with this idea yet. We think "Oh Boy!" is a great success and are considering if it should be extended in some way."

The programme was originally booked until December 6 but a fortnight ago it was extended for at least another three months. Good plans to feature Cliff Richard on the show weekly until the end of the year and then at three-weekly intervals.

Also from January, Don Lang will be seen every three weeks on "Oh Boy!" He has already guested twice on the series.

Lord Rockingham's XI, The Vernons Girls and The Dallas Boys will continue as regulars into the New Year.

Later bookings include Pat Laurence (November 15), a return by Lorrie Mann (22nd), and newcomers Emil and George Ford (29th).

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November 8th

'OH BOY!' SHOW # 9 (Compered by Jimmy Henney)

RESIDENT WEEKLY BAND & PERFORMERS:
Lord Rockingham's XI, 
Red Price,
The Dallas Boys,
Neville Taylor & The Cutters,
Cherry Wainer,
The Vernons Girls.

THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL GUESTS:
Cliff Richard
'Cuddly' Dudley
Peter Elliott
Bill Forbes

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Friday 14th

NME reports that “Oh Boy!” may be made into a film. This plan did not come to fruition:

ABC-TV's Saturday evening teenage show "Oh Boy!" may follow in the footsteps of its television rival "6.5 Special" in being adapted for the cinema screen.

Talks are currently in progress for the making of an "Oh Boy!" film at the ABC studios in Elstree. It would be a full-length feature film, probably with a story-line, as was the film version of "6.5 Special" which proved a big box-office attraction.

If details are concluded, the film will be directed by Duke Goldstone, one-time director of the Liberace telefilms, who is new in this country directing the Mantovani telefilms. He visited the TV studio two weeks ago when Tommy Steele appeared.

Latest booking for the "Oh Boy!" TV show is American rock singer Vince Taylor, who came to Britain to seek success. He cut his first record last week for Parlophone, "Right Behind You Baby" for release on November 28.

NME reports that Marty Wilde wants to end his contract with manager Larry Parnes. Marty Wilde was deeply upset with Parnes' decision to pull him out of the”Oh Boy!” series and within just 4 weeks of his final 18th October appearance was consulting lawyers with a view to terminating his contract.

Marty had always enjoyed a good working relationship with Jack Good and he believed it was only Parnes who was putting ‘flies in the ointment’ and creating difficulties. Jack Good himself held Marty in high esteem and was keen for him to return to the fold, which he did eventually on 7th February 1959. Once back Jack promptly secured Marty by signing him up to appear in 12 or the remaining 17 shows of the series. Indeed he made Marty both host and star attraction for his subsequent TV series “Boy Meets Girl” which aired for 6 months from September 1959 to March 1960.

Dynamic Marty Wilde is seeking release from his contract with artists' manager Larry Parnes "for personal reasons" - though the agreement is still valid for a further three years.
Marty told the NME: "My father is consulting our solicitors about legal aspects of the contracts. I will go ahead with the dates Larry has arranged, including variety, concerts and pantomime at Stockton."

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Saturday 15th

'OH BOY!' SHOW # 10 (Compered by Tony Hall)

RESIDENT WEEKLY BAND & PERFORMERS:
Lord Rockingham's XI, 
Red Price,
The Dallas Boys,
Neville Taylor & The Cutters,
Cherry Wainer,
The Vernons Girls.

THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL GUESTS:
Cliff Richard & The Drifters
'Cuddly' Dudley
The John Barry Seven
Pat Lawrence
Peter Elliott

The John Barry Seven included three new members in this appearance: drummer Dougie Wright, tenor saxophonist Dennis King and guitarist Vic Flick. The band played their latest record, Farrago.

A complete telerecording of this show was recently discovered.

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Sunday 16th

Cliff’s act creates crowd hysteria when he appears at the Trocadero, Elephant and Castle, in south east London. Many fans, not content with just seeing him weekly on “Oh Boy!” wanted to see their idol in the flesh too.

Cliff was also causing jealousy among the ‘teddy boys’ in south and east London, too, who disliked the frenzied reaction Cliff was generating among his fast growing female audience. They began a campaign of trying to sabotage the shows when he appeared at some London venues through the latter part of 1958 and early 1959. (See scan of photo taken at Trocadero concert {Left} and NME article scan {below}) :

L-R Wee Willie Harris, Johnny Duncan and Cliff Richard at the Trocadero, Elephant & Castle, S. London

In order to avoid fans rioting outside the Trocadero, Elephant and Castle after last Sunday's all-star package show, Cliff Richard had to be smuggled out of the theatre through the foyer into a waiting police car. He was taken at high speed through South London to a pre-arranged rendezvous where he transferred to his own car. Between houses, Cliff Richard, Larry Page, Wee Willie Harris and the other artists had to stay in their dressing-rooms due to dense crowds thronging the stage door. On stage during the show, compere teenage d-j Gus Goodwin was showered with coins as the almost full house went wild with excitement. Tension grew to bursting point as the show closed and the predominantly teenage audience left the auditorium. The stage door was completely blocked by a sea of waving arms and chanting girls intent on securing autographs and a glimpse of the singers.

Cliff, now with two discs - "Move It" and "High Class Baby" - in the current hit parade, is set for a string of major provincial concert engagements before the end of the year. His complete Sunday date schedule is Walthemstow Granada (Nov. 23). Slough Adelphi (Nov. 30), Colchester Regal (Dec. 7), Worcester Gaumont (Dec. 14), Bristol Colston Hall (Dec. 21), and Hanley Victoria Hall (Dec. 28).

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Monday 17th

Cliff makes his variety debut at the Metropolitan, Edgware road, London. This was a gruelling three-week tour (42 shows) arranged by his manager Franklyn Boyd and intended to give the young Cliff an intensive crash course in the art of stagecraft.

The NME write up on the following Friday (21st) gives an interesting and not oft given detailed account of the songs in Cliff’s early act. Many of the songs here were undoubtedly featured on “Oh Boy!” too during the last quarter of 1958. Both “Move It” and “Don’t Bug Me Baby” were favourites performed on the opening show of the series, and “High Class Baby” (his 2nd single) was performed on “Oh Boy!” around late November as well. The Conway Twitty hit “It's Only Make Believe” was another number Cliff loved performing live with a wonderful look of ‘anguished pain’ on his face and grabbing his arm as if jabbed by a hypodermic syringe. It is probable that Cliff sang this track on “Oh Boy!” too. In fact when Conway Twitty himself visited Britain to appear on 2 shows in May 1959 he closed one of the shows with this number.

There are also a few surprise inclusions in this variety debut. Cliff had first seen Marty perform “Poor Little Fool” and “Baby I don’t Care” at his first “Oh Boy!” audition in September and liked them so much he decided to incorporate them into his own act. Cliff closed his 30 minute set with Jerry Lee Lewis’s “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” (as he did on his first live debut album “Cliff” in February 1959). During the song he would go down on one knee during its quieter moments and an actual picture from the show is reproduced here. (See photo above left)

Cliff Richard isn't going to forget this week in a hurry. When he woke up on Sunday morning this is what faced him: a concert at the huge Trocadero Cinema, Elephant and Castle, London; two days in the film studio for "Serious Charge"; a Wednesday afternoon recording session at Columbia; a Jack Jackson Show" the same evening; two days rehearsal for, and the actual transmission of "Oh Boy!" Dominating all this was his first week in variety - almost a full-time job in itself. Eighteen-year-old Cliff never flinched. In between houses at the Metropolitan Theatre, London, on Monday, Franklyn Boyd, his manager, suggested the friends that had gathered in his dressing room should leave to let the singer rest. "No don't go," Cliff said, "I'm not tired."

Neither was his later performance a tired one. Richard slogged hard all through his act, swinging his pelvis in the widest arcs yet seen in Britain, vocally forcing his numbers over and compelling the female part of the audience, at least, into an ever increasing frenzy. In the Drifters, Cliff has the best group yet to tour with a rock singer. It has an enormous power and compelling beat, yet was never too loud to drown out Cliff's singing. As the "Move It" boy was announced, it thundered out from behind the curtain. The excitement had already started. "Baby, I Don't Care" was his first number. Scarcely a pause and straight into "Summertime Blues," "I've Got A Feelin," and "Don't Bug Me Baby."

Wisely he cut his talking to the minimum. He introduced the members of the group: Hank B. Marvin, Bruce Wells (guitars), Jet Harris (bass) and Terry Smart (drums). Then the smouldering Cliff went into "King Creole," a slow, struggling "Only Make Believe" and a nonchalant, hand-in-pocket "Poor Little Fool," before coming to his record hits "Move It" and "High Class Baby."

Came his finale and he set out to include and exceed everything that had gone before with "Whole Lotta Shaking." Fast, slow; loud, soft; wild, quiet; shaking or kneeling - Richard scored a notable triumph. DON WEDGE.

Harry Robinson, musical director of “Oh Boy” marries model Ziki Arnot. The couple take a short honeymoon in Paris until Friday 21st November. Cy Payne deputizes at rehearsals for four days.

Bertice Reading, a star of the two trial “Oh Boy!” shows in June 1958, falls ill and cancels her cabaret commitments in Britain.

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Friday 21st

The NME announces Larry Parnes will not release Marty Wilde from his 3 year contract. (See first scan below)

NME announces Michael Holliday is booked for “Oh Boy!” in December. (See second scan below)

LARRY PARNES announced this week that, despite requests from the singer, he would not release Big Beat star Marty Wilde from his current contract.

He told the NME: "I intend to go ahead with my plans for Marty. At present they involve a film and a Scandinavian tour next year."

COLUMBIA'S Michael Holliday is the latest big name attraction booked by producer Jack Good for his ABC-TV Saturday evening "Oh Boy!" show. Mike is set to appear on December 6, while the following Saturday (13th), marks the debut of Parlophone's Glen Mason.

Bill Forbes, discovered by Jack Good at an audition, has been signed by Columbia records. He makes another appearance on December 13.

One week later, American rock singer, Vince Taylor, undertakes the first of several guest spots. Fontana's new artist, Carmita, is booked for the same date. (20th).

The King Brothers appear on December 27th, replacing the Dallas Boys, who will be appearing on "6.5 Special" on that date.

Resident singer Peter Elliott has been booked for a further seven appearances, plus an option of six more, making a total of 13. Comperes Tony Hall and Jimmy Henney have also been booked until March.

EXPANSION

It is likely that the show will shortly be increased in length, rather than presented as a two-part production. A gala December 27 production may launch the first of these longer shows.
Jack Good is confident of the show being extended still further, probably until June.

Midland viewers may have an opportunity of attending a performance of "Oh Boy!" in December. It is planned to run a special train from Birmingham to London one week-end next month so that fans in the area may form the audience in the studio.

Talks have progressed this week for the TV show to be presented on stage. The full TV cast are likely attractions, but television rehearsal rquirements will probably restrict the show to the London area.

EMI's LP record featuring most of the "Oh Boy!" company is scheduled for release on Dec. 5.

Harry Robinson, musical director of the series, was married on Monday to model Ziki Arnot. He returns from a brief Paris honeymoon today (Friday). Meanwhile, Cy Payne has deputised for him at rehearsals.

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Saturday 22nd

'OH BOY!' SHOW # 11 (Compered by Jimmy Henney)

RESIDENT WEEKLY BAND & PERFORMERS:
Lord Rockingham's XI, 
Red Price,
The Dallas Boys,
Neville Taylor & The Cutters,
Cherry Wainer,
The Vernons Girls.

THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL GUESTS:
Cliff Richard
'Cuddly' Dudley
The Drifters
Lorie Mann
Peter Elliott

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Sunday 23rd

Rioting breaks out once again at a Cliff Richard concert, the NME reports on Friday 28th November. (See scan below)

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Friday 28th

For the second week in succession, Cliff Richard was mobbed by fans when he left the Granada, Walthamstow, last Sunday. Once again Cliff was whisked off in a police car whilst fans invaded the stage door. A number were injured. At the end of the first house a number of teenage girls climbed on to the stage and jived with the stars. After half-an-hour's frantic rock 'n roll with The Drifters, Cliff appeared on stage for the finale with the rest of the cast, including Wee Willie Harris, Larry Page and the Bachelors. Over 500 teenagers screamed their approval and rose from their seats and surged forward and crushed against the apron stage.

Between shows, a girl fell from a ladder while attempting to enter a first floor dressing room through the window to get autographs. In the rush to the stage door after the second house, a number of teenagers were injured. One girl was taken to hospital by ambulance with a suspected fractured ankle. She was not detained. Police were called when youths began to throw newspaper placards on to the heads of the crowd from a nearby wall.

Theatre manager Ralph Papworth told NME: "I've had Johnnie Ray here - but it was never like this. I've never seen anything like it, they just went wild."

NME announces Jack Good has booked Colin Hicks, (Tommy Steele’s brother), for the Christmas show:

COLIN HICKS, Nixa's teenage beat singer, is the latest recruit to the ranks of ABC_TV's Saturday evening "Oh Boy!" show. He makes his debut on December 27 - the date originally planned for a special Christmas edition, but which will now retain its usual format. The following week, January 3, marks the return of Terry Dene. This will be his second appearance - he was previously seen last month, when he deputised at short notice for Cliff Richard.

NME reports that singer Mike Preston, who made several appearances on the “Oh Boy!” series, is popular in America:

SUCH was the impact of new British singer Mike Preston in America that his return, already delayed a week, was postponed a further three days by additional radio and television appearances. Mike came home on Wednesday. Despite his initial success as a singer Mike is continuing with his job as a cameraman for a firm of commercial television cartoonists.

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Saturday 29th

'OH BOY!' SHOW # 12 (Compered by Tony Hall)

RESIDENT WEEKLY BAND & PERFORMERS:
Lord Rockingham's XI, 
Red Price,
Neville Taylor & The Cutters,
Cherry Wainer,
The Vernons Girls.

THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL GUESTS:
'Cuddly' Dudley
Emile Ford
John Barry Seven
Peter Elliott

Only one of three 1958 broadcasts in which Cliff Richard did not appear. The others being Show No. 3 from 27th September & 18th October 1958 when there was a mix up over dates.

THE STRINGBEAT YEARS

  

The Stringbeat Years cover2

Now available!

The Stringbeat Years: Songs accompanied by John Barry

Now available, a 4-CD box-set comprising of 144 tracks, a 24-page booklet (replete with period photographs and comprehensive notes) and including ten bonus tracks (among them the CD debut of the first ever cover version of a John Barry instrumental composition).

Featuring – for the first time – the film versions of ‘Mix me a Person’, ‘The Time has Come’, and ‘What a Whopper’ (slightly shortened). There’s also an unique opportunity to hear the original version of ‘Ah, Poor Little Baby’, making its premiere appearance on CD.

The box-set is limited to 500 copies and is only £16.99 post-free in the UK, so don’t miss out! It is available direct from this website!

£16.99  post-free in the UK
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Let us know if you aren't able to do this and we'll work out another way. 

Track listing

HIT AND MISS: THE STORY OF THE JOHN BARRY SEVEN

HitAndMiss 1000

Thoroughly and painstakingly researched over a number of years, it features contributions from several ex-members of the band and from friends and relatives of John Barry.

Comprising of over 360 pages, it is packed with an array of rare photos of the band, and the singers they often supported, as well as some unique images of memorabilia and documentation from that era; some never previously published, many more seldom seen.

Even if you are not necessarily a devotee of The John Barry Seven per se, the book offers a fascinating historical insight into the British music scene of the period and, more importantly, provides an essential read for anybody remotely interested in discovering more about John Barry’s formative career.

The book’s cover price is £30, but anybody ordering direct from us will receive a 33% discount, reducing the cost to £19.99.

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