December 6, 2016

 

 

It’s only me – I’m not stopping,

I really have loads to do.

I shouldn’t even be calling,

but this duty visit I owe to you.

 

So tell me – how are you doing?

Crickey, is it that time so soon?

I’ll drop in again next weekend,

for ten minutes sometime around noon.

 

Just text me if you need something,

as my ‘phone’s always on silent mode.

and I’ll get back to you presently,

when I’ve dealt with my work overload.

 

‘Well thanks for popping in darling;

it’s good to get a glimpse of your face,

Now clear off,  if you don’t mind –

I’m about to watch Bradley on The Chase.

 

 

 

 

 

Our hearts as normal,

ticked away,

as we awoke,

at break of day.

 

A regular day

like any other,

until the phone call –

God help us Mother!

 

Fast forward goes

a beating heart;

the mind a jumble –

where to start?

 

So much to do,

now doesn’t matter.

Alarm bells loud,

disturb the chatter.

 

The laughter that

was yesterday,

replaced by thoughts

in disarray.

 

Then to the appointment,

unexpected.

What had the test

results detected?

 

With baited breath

hands clasped together;

through thick and thin this pair,

seen off bad weather.

 

Then joy of joy –

the gods align.

No need for panic –

all would be fine.

 

Though the call to see

the Doctor  a s a p,

nearly was the death,

of he and me.

 

 

November 29, 2016

 

 

America’s Young Rascals

brought ‘Groovin’ to our shore;

this Top 10 hit of 67 followed by,

‘A Girl Like You’, we still adore.

 

And 1970 saw Bob & Marcia

riding high in the Top 5 Chart.

Their ‘Young, Gifted & Black’ –

instantly winning every heart.

 

In 75,  ahead of the game – David Bowie,

with ‘Young Americans’ in the Top 20,

and in 76, Candi Staton gave us

‘Young Hearts Run Free’ – a No 2 entry.

 

Our own Beatle – Paul McCartney

always guaranteed to bring us joy,

and in 97, the Top 20, found him

back in the charts with ‘Young Boy’.

 

‘She Drives Me Crazy’, in 89,

saw ‘Fine Young Cannibals at No.5,

and in the Top 40 of 97,

this song again, was to arrive.

 

With one of the largest fan clubs ever,

this Pop icon, has had a hit or two.

‘The Young Ones’ – just one of Cliff’s songs,

climbing to No.1 – was a song loved so true.

 

‘Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy,

(in 1970 – a song we’ll never forget),

came from U.S. group – The Tams, followed by

‘Hey Girl, Don’t Bother Me’ – a certain No.1 bet.

 

‘The Youngest Was The Most Loved’,

in 2006, for Morrissey, was doing fine,

and ‘Young Forever’ at No.10 was Jay Z

featuring Mr Hudson in 2009.

 

‘When You’re Young And In Love’- in 67,

a Marvelettes’s Top 20 hit, our hearts won.

and ‘My One Temptation’ singer – Mica Paris

sang about ‘Young Soul Rebels’ in 91.

 

In 82, ‘Young Guns (Go For It)

was at No.3 for Wham’s Andrew and George,

and ‘Last Christmas’ – their seasonal hit,

with a video, that simply is ‘gorge’.

 

And last in this Tribute to Youth,

comes lovely Will Young with hits from 02.

‘Anything Is Possible’ and ‘Evergreen’,

and ‘Light My Fire’, just to name a few.

 

 

 

 

Tune in to

Tony’s Time Machine

on

Wednesday, 30th November.

11 am – 1pm

for a lively end to the month.

including more from Wishbone Ash.

 

Tony’s guest this week

is Henna, 

who will also be reading

 

For The Love Of Music – Part 7

written by  – Harriet Blackbury

 

November 22, 2016

 

Tune in to

Tony’s Time Machine

Wednesday 23rd November

11 – 1pm with repeat shows

during the week.

 

Tony’s 

Rock Band Of The Week

is

Wishbone Ash –

celebrating 45 years

 

Also, on the show

is the return of

Rock Fanatic –

Bryan Stewart.

 

 The poem

For The Love Of Bryan Stewart

written by

Harriet Blackbury

 can also be heard again.

 

 Rock On Folks

 

 

 

 

November 16, 2016

 

Tune into the ‘Jungle Rock’ theme

on 

Tony’s Time Machine

Wednesday  16th November 16

11am – 1pm.

 -with repeats at the usual times.

 

This week Tony’s guests are 

Dominic and John from

Creative Support

They will be chatting to Tony about

their recent travels to The Amazon

and Brazil.

 

Vikki’s Dad, Terry Snowden MBE,

will be replacing her at the helm today,

and chatting to Tony about Fats Domino.

 

John will be reading the poem

For The Love Of Fine Nectar

written by Harriet Blackbury

and

Tony will be reading

For the Love Of Leonard Cohen

written by Harriet Blackbury.

 

November 12, 2016

 

 

Canadian Icon – Leonard Cohen,

this week, from life withdrew.

Meaning so much to many generations,

he sadly ‘bowed out’ at the age of 82.

 

One of the most poignant songwriters-

up there with Dylan, without doubt.

Changing the nations thinking,

yet ‘Hallelujah, his only Top 40 shout.

 

With ‘Suzanne’, the 1st song on his 1st Album,

he showed us the intensity of his desire.

But of course, he will also be remembered,

for his high flying  ‘Bird On The Wire’.

 

‘I’m Your Man’, another firm favourite,

with many a female, concert attendee,

And lots more heart-searching songs,

touched those in the same mood, as he.

 

So it’s with sadness, we say ‘Farewell Leonard’-

‘Your place in Music History secure.

You were instrumental in changing our mood,

with words from your heart, so pure.

 

So many great songs have been omitted,

in this late night tribute to you- Mr Cohen.

But your life-saving words still enthrall us,

and our love for you will keep on growin’.

 

RIP   1934 – 2016

 

November 11, 2016

 

 

‘What made Milwaukee famous,

(has made a loser out of me)’,

in 72, gave Rod Stewart,

a Top 5 hit, so easily.

 

Crowded House got as high as No.27,

in 94, with ‘Pineapple Head’,

but back in 75, Norwegian group, Sailor,

preferred ‘A Glass Of Champagne’ instead.

 

In 73, ‘Whiskey In The Jar’,

from Thin Lizzy, always made us sway.

And in 98, a hit from Bran Van 3000

was ‘Drinking In L.A’.

 

In 71,  ‘I Will Drink The Wine’,

Frank Sinatra, so smoothly said.

And in 1980, ‘Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers’-

in the Top 50, by Motorhead.

 

In 62, The Four Seasons, with ‘Sherry’,

sent out their message of romance.

And in 2002 – Pay as u go, at No 13,

celebrated with ‘Champagne Dance’.

 

In 69, ‘I heard It through the Grapevine’,

at No.1  for Marvin Gaye,

And in 74, with ‘Seven Seas of Rye’,

were Queen, doing it their way.

 

In 96, came Salt-n-Pepa with ‘Champagne’

 – a Christmas hit, they put to bed,

and ‘One Night In Bangkok’, in 84,

came from Murray Head.

 

In 83, at Number 1, were UB40,

singing of  ‘Red, Red Wine’.

and ‘Gin Soaked Boy’ – a Top 40 hit,

for Divine Comedy in 99.

 

In 57, ‘Kisses Sweeter Than Wine’,

came from Liverpool’s Frankie Vaughan,

and many artists sang ‘Wild Rover’ – but

The Houghton Weaver’s version, we sang til dawn.

 

In 73, ‘I’ve Been Drinking’, sang

Rod Stewart with Jeff Beck in tow,

and ‘Wide Eyed & Legless’ in 75 –

a hit for Andy Fairweather-Low.

 

In 55  ‘The Drinking Song’ by Mario Lanza

was played more than once or twice.

And in 78 (remixed in 85),

Foreigner gave us – ‘Cold As Ice’

 

‘Days of Wine & Roses’,

always gave us a glow,

when performed by Andy Williams,

and many more artists we know.

 

 

November 9, 2016

 

 

His journey amazing.

His recovery sound.

Finding hope and inspiration

by covering new ground,

 

through Creative Support,

and it’s human embrace,

helping him, like many others,

a new day to face.

 

And the gift he possesses,

in giving back,

encouragement and trust,

to those who now lack,

 

the confidence to continue,

on life’s uneven highway.

His interviews, heartfelt,

always saving the day.

 

His build up to Wednesdays.

‘Lunch Box’ breakfasts, a must.

Followed by tea or coffee –

either will do, he’s not fussed.

 

The success of his programme-

Tony’s Time Machine.

Supported by Vikki-

these two setting the scene.

 

Teamwork so essential,

week in and week out,

Onion Barji’s their reward,

and Samosa’s too, they shout.

 

The knack that he has

in seeming so cool,

when his legs in agony,

hide under his stool.

 

His ease when reporting –

so natural – the call.

With Steve Howe an example,

interviewed at Band on the wall.

 

His devotion to ‘Yes’,

so loyal and true.-

A Group in a million

that saw him through,

 

when comfort was needed,

their music getting his vote,

when life as he’d known it,

seemed so remote.

 

His memory so sharp;

his vast knowledge of travel,

another string to his bow,

as past years unravel.

 

The trap of Trapani

calling him back.

The pull of Polermo,

as the train on the track,

 

confirming his feelings,

like decades before,

that Italy is,

a place to adore.

 

And then the time Man United

helped save the day,

when playing Benfica

in a Cup Match, one May.

 

As he innocently took photos

of a Yugoslavian Military base,

Tony was promptly arrested

and cell bars had to face.

 

Whilst he waited for an Interpreter,

the guards had Footy on TV,

and decided, in the end,

that no terrorist, was he.

 

So many more tales

of his travels he can recall,

when on holiday with his Dad –

those were the best days of all.

 

And the love of his family

and re-united school friends.

And pals, new and old,

with whom he easily blends.

 

The bi-weekly coffees,

down in Bury with Denise,

mean so very much

as a pressure release.

 

His new beloved Juke Box

putting a smile on his face,

as Marjorie in astonishment says,

‘Standing room only – in this place!

 

The most forgiving of sisters

it has to be said.

Do you remember the time,

you put a SPIDER in her bed!

 

And now as this poem slows –

it is the end of the line.

Happy Birthday to you Tony –

from now on, you’ll be, just fine.

 

 

 

November 8, 2016

 

 

Leslie Ronald Young-

his original name,

but as ‘Jimmy Young’,

he was to find fame.

 

Receiving a Knighthood;

becoming Sir Jimmy Young,

and at 95, his last ballad,

now he has sung.

 

His hit ‘Unchained Melody’

reaching Number one

and ‘The Man from Laramie’

at one, also followed on.

 

Just two of many

songs we all knew,

after his first hit, ‘Too Young’,

a song we loved true.

 

As a singer he proved

to have the smoothest voice,

and as a Presenter he was

The ‘House Wives‘ choice.

 

And, as a Presenter,

he became the first of a kind,

to interview world leaders,

and easily enter their mind.

 

And for nearly 30 years

was a staple on Radio 2 –

With catchphrases a plenty,

we now say, BFN to you.

 

You were the TOPS

 

 

 

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