Posts Tagged :

The Beatles

Tony Jo: Wonderful tributes to former Grumbleweed 150 150 mhamer

Tony Jo: Wonderful tributes to former Grumbleweed

Some wonderful tributes to Tony JoThe late Tony Jo, a member of award-winning British comedy band The Grumbleweeds, received a great send-off, says Jimmy Cricket.

Tony, who joined the popular group in 1997, died in January following an 18-month battle with cancer.

His funeral took place earlier this month.

Fellow entertainer and friend Jimmy said: “Some wonderful tributes to Tony Jo today during his humanist funeral, staged @Grand_Theatre in Blackpool.

“It was great to meet up with some old and some new colleagues in the world of showbusiness 🎭.”

The Grumbleweeds story began in Leeds in 1962, when the group was first formed by Robin Colvill.

They spent the next few years performing in clubs and pubs in their native Yorkshire and and also overseas, playing alongside bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

The group turned fully professional in 1967 following an appearance on BBC TV’s Opportunity Knocks.

Tony was also a celebrated after-dinner comedian.

His work meant he rubbed shoulders with sporting legends like George Best, Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst and Alan Ball.

He was a winner of the After Dinner Speaker of The Year Award three times.

In addition, he wrote for shows including You’ve Been Framed and Stars in Their Eyes.

Read more about Tony on the Blackpool Gazette website here.

Also read: Frankie Whittle: A great friend for over half a century

Las Vegas: Hot weather and an indignant barman 150 150 mhamer

Las Vegas: Hot weather and an indignant barman

Jimmy Cricket reflects on his holiday in the United States earlier this year in his latest newspaper column - and suggest not asking for a shandy in Las Vegas

Jimmy Cricket reflects on his holiday in the United States earlier this year in his latest newspaper column – and suggests not asking for a shandy in Las Vegas!

The famous comedian went with his wife May in the summer to Vegas, a resort city known for its vibrant nightlife, centered around 24-hour casinos and other forms of entertainment.

And in his November column in the Lancashire Evening Post, he talks about the hot weather and asking for drinks at the bar.

He says: “I suppose if we did get a harsh winter this year we’d be more forgiving because this summer has been such a belter.

“However, although we had another scorcher this year, I went to somewhere that was even hotter. ‘Las Vegas. Yes siree.’ Mrs Cricket and I packed our cosies and sun cream and headed to the gambling capital of the world.

“Boy was that hot. And I just don’t mean the Showgirls. One day I took a 20-minute walk, stopped at a convenience store and purchased a cold bottle of water from the fridge. Before I got back the bottle was so warm, I could hardly hold it. The air conditioning in the hotel was even more welcoming than a tax rebate that day.

“We had a great time in, Las Vegas, and saw lots of exciting shows, including in a show called, Love, which was themed around The Beatles’ music.

“Of course, there were hiccups. Like the Paris Hotel. Here’s a tip here. If you do visit it and go right up to the bar on the first floor, don’t ask for a half of shandy. I did and a quite indignant barman plonked the beer, lemonade and glass in front of me and told me to do it myself.”

Read Jimmy’s full column here