The Full Story In Kenny Denton's memoir "There Ain't No Rules In Rock n Roll"
The Photograph is Fred's Autograph To My Loverly Wife Sue and Our Son Nathan.
Bing Crosby.
In the summer of 1975, within the walls of De Lane Lea/ Music Centre in Wembley, a remarkable event unfolded, Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire were collaborating as a duet on an album. There was an air of uncertainty surrounding Bing's reputation for being challenging to work with in the studio, but this was swiftly dispelled during their time at the Music Centre. Here is a glimpse of the Bing Crosby I had the privilege to encounter. During a break in recording, Bing embarked on the short journey from the studio to our in-house restaurant for a well-deserved lunch. Just outside the studio, Peter Wilson, a member of the studio staff, was engaged in a phone conversation with his mother. It was her birthday and he was partaking in the time-honoured tradition of sharing birthday wishes with his dear old mum. As the studio was playing back the recording it could be heard clearly from where Peter was telephoning. He held the phone aloft so that his mother could hear Bing’s glorious voice resonating from the studio's speakers, evidently, she was an ardent fan. Unbeknownst to Peter, Bing was approaching, with a gentle curiosity, Bing inquired, “Who's that on the phone?” Peter, perhaps a touch nervously, replied, “It's my mother, it's her birthday today.” Responding with a wink and a warm smile, Bing took the phone from Peter and with such grace and kindness, he proceeded to sing the remainder of the song directly into the phone, serenading Peter's mother from afar. As the final notes of the song trailed off, Bing simply offered, “God bless,” and handed the phone back to a bewildered Peter. Overwhelmed and nearly rendered speechless by the surreal encounter, Peter managed to find his voice and exclaimed, “Mum, THAT was Bing Crosby!” This extraordinary and impromptu gesture by Bing showcased his genuine and kindhearted nature, leaving an indelible memory for Peter, his mother and anyone who has the privilege of hearing this heart-warming tale.
Fred Astaire
After completing the duet album with Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire decided to extend his stay at the studio by an additional week to work on his own solo album. Amid this productive period, Fred received heart-wrenching news - his mother had just passed away back at home in the USA. Despite this profound loss, Fred remained steadfastly committed to his work and obligations, including completing his solo album and fulfilling various scheduled TV interviews. A tribute to his professionalism and dedication during this challenging time.
During a quiet moment over lunch in the studio restaurant, Fred shared a poignant memory of his mother, illustrating his enduring bond with her. He recounted a tale from 1957 when he had written a song titled “Life is Beautiful” The song had been recorded and sung by Tony Bennett and was poised for release as a single. As the songwriter, Fred received a copy of the finished recording from the record company. Filled with pride and anticipation, Fred sent the record to his mother in Philadelphia, eager to hear her reaction. After a few days, he made a call to inquire, “Mum, what do you think?” Her response was uniquely motherly and laced with affection. She exclaimed, “Fred, it's marvellous! How on earth did they get your voice to sound like that?” Mums can be so wonderful.
Being present at both fo these stories it made me think “The bigger the star the nicer they are”
