Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission
Thanks to Sarah Aston for sharing this photo of the Midland Radio Orchestra. Sarah’s father, John Kingdon formed the Midland Light orchestra along with Norrie Paramor, which pre-dated the Midlands Radio Orchestra. The MLO was more classically orientated.
Harold Rich is at the keyboard in this photo, with Norrie Paramor conducting.
Photos by Jane Mclean, no reproduction without permission
Colin Campbell, with Jo Dewar and Terry Cartwright
Virtuoso pianist Colin Campbell has passed away aged 77 (Oct 2017). Colin was a keyboard player and played in the Midland Radio Orchestra at Pebble Mill. He often played on Pebble Mill At One, and is shown here on the Tom O’Connor Roadshow, in 1987.
Thanks to Jane Mclean for sharing these photos.
The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Sarah Ashton: ‘My father, John Kingdon, formed the Midland Radio Orchestra along side Norrie Paramor, their conductor. I remember going to work with dad and listening to the orchestra play on many occasions. I do remember the name Colin Campbell but was too young to put a face to the name.’
Jane Ward: ‘Loads of happy memories of Colin…fantastic musician and all-round lovely guy…. Very sad to hear this news…
And of course he was one half of Pianorama, with the inimitable Harold Rich….’
This cutting is from the Solihull Observer from March 2017, and celebrates the 90th birthday of Harold Rich. Harold was the pianist of the BBC Midland Light Orchestra, and later its conductor, before becoming the orchestral pianist with the Midland Radio Orchestra. He also formed his own broadcasting Quartet in 1961, and was a member of the Palm Court Trio, which produced a number of broadcasts and recordings, and even played for the Queen Mother. In the 1970s, Harold became the Musical Director of Pebble Mill at One, conducting stars like Tom Jones, Cilla Black, Eartha Kitt and James Galway.
Thanks to Pete Simpkin for sharing the cutting.
The following comment was shared on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Ed Billington: ‘What a gent, always happy and great to work with, happy birthday Harold’