Monday, January 07, 2008

Larry Grayson


Another boot sale find on the York Records label from1972. Larry sings few oldies including the Marrow Song we heard recently from Billy Cotton and Co. Also some songs written especially for him featuring characters from his stage act.

Wikipedia says-

"Born in Banbury in 1923 to unmarried parents, (he never met his father), ten days after he was born he was adopted by Alice and Jim Hammond, a poor, coal mining family in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. His foster mother died when he was six years old and he was raised by his eldest foster sister, Flo.[2] When he was eight he discovered that his mysterious aunt Ethel was in fact his natural mother, though he always considered Flo as his mother.[3]
He left school at the age of 14, and was soon working professionally under the name of Billy Breen as a supporting drag act on the comedy club circuit, and over the next thirty years he toured the UK not only in male revues and drag shows, but also in variety shows.

Grayson was one of the first television comedians to suggest a openly gay persona. He did not achieve stardom until he was in his fifties and had his own television show. An early TV appearance in the 1950s had led to many complaints about his act being too outrageous and Grayson had resigned himself to a career off television. He was very popular in review and working men's clubs with a unique and very gentle anecdotal style of comedy. It was usually based around his various 'friends' such as Everard, Apricot Lil, Slack Alice and the postman 'Pop it in Pete'. A lot of this was observational. Grayson's family had had the only telephone on the street as a kid and he used to listen to his neighbours using the phone.
Following a hit run of guest spots on ATV variety shows in the 1970s, he was rewarded by Lew Grade with his own award winning show, Shut That Door! (1975).
Grayson's popularity peaked when he moved over to the BBC to present The Generation Game in 1978."

Discover more about Larry Grayson HERE.


Larry Grayson - Apricot Lil

Larry Grayson - I've Got It Here

Larry Grayson - Just A Gigolo

Larry Grayson - Slack Alice

Larry Grayson - The Marrow


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7 comments:

McDingo said...

What can I say? Thank you so much for this. A real gem - Larry and Basil Brush were my childhood Saturday nights. His voice is enough to transport me back!

Wastedpapiers said...

My pleasure mcdingo. Larry certainly was a ground breaking performmer back then and he opened doors for people like Julian Clary and Graham Norton etc.

Mondo said...

A real gem and a swinging start to 2008. I'll file this one along side John Inman and 'Are You Being served Sir'.

Wastedpapiers said...

I have a record by John Inman somewhere but will spare you that - for now at least!

Anonymous said...

any chance at all you could repost the marrow and just a gigolo?
i am itching to hear them....

tallpaulr@blueyonder.co.uk

Anonymous said...

A joy to hear these again! Thank you . . .

Would kill for a copy of 'My Friend Everard', mind . .

Wastedpapiers said...

Thanks anon and miseryguts, Will try and re-post soon if i get the chance.