Memory Lane Issue 163 Summer 2009
Editor: Ray Pallett Published by Jeanette and Ray Pallett
This edition of Memory Lane, pictured below, was published to subscribers on 8th May 2009
From The Editor’s Desk
Thanks you to all those who have written to the BBC about their withdrawal of the Dance Band sections from Sunday Night At Ten. If you have not yet written, it is not too late to do so. If you need advice on writing to the BBC, including contact address, please e-mail us at:
If you have written, you will have received an unsatisfactory response form the BBC. Do not let it rest there. Take issue with them on anything they say you are not happy with. The BBC say air time for dance / swing / big bands is limited. Ask them why when over half Radio Two’s musical output is identical to much of what is on Radio One and local radio. Also explain to the BBC that the British Dance Bands are of a different genre to big band and swing which they do not seem to understand. And if the BBC say that dance bands will still feature on Sunday Night At Ten observe that so far, you haven’t heard any! If they do not reply, write again to ask for a reply. Keep the pressure up. If you finally accept that the BBC are not going to concede, then write to the BBC Trust. Keep reminding the BBC or the Trust that the Dance Bands are part of British musical culture and BBC culture, it not being possible to say the same for big band, swing or jazz which is American culture. Importantly, write as an individual using your words.
Good luck and keep writing. Don’t; let the BBC get away with it!
Meanwhile, you still have Memory Lane. So long as we keep going the music will never die.
RAY PALLETT
Featured in this issue are Kitty Masters, Bob Mallin, Blanche Coleman, Americans in the British Dance Bands, Hal Swain and Dance Band Collectables plus CD reviews, readers letters and lots more.
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