Elton Hayes revisited

Subject: RE: Elton Hayes revisited
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 May 04 - 03:51 PM

I'm afraid he died in 2001 - there's a thread about it somewhere. I'll have a look for it now. Elton Hayes It's got a link to an obit.

Subject: RE: Elton Hayes revisited
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 23 May 04 - 03:22 PM

wonderful to hear that he's still around - send him the thanks of many millions of grateful listeners and fans. I'm sure he kindled an interest in the guitar and folksingiing for many of us.

Subject: RE: Elton Hayes revisited
From: GUEST,unirider4fun
Date: 23 May 04 - 02:46 PM

looking for Elton Hayes 78's. If you have or can get any, let me know as I pay very good for them.
Regards,
unirider

Subject: RE: Elton Hayes revisited
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 03 Aug 01 - 03:39 AM

refresh for those who were asking on the earlier thread.

Subject: RE: Elton Hayes revisited
From: vindelis
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 02:34 PM

Elton Hayes' version of 'The Owl and the Pussycat' was one battle that my dad won, when it came to 'musical interpretation,' with my mother, in the days when we sang together. It's wonderful to hear that he is still alive and well.

Subject: RE: Elton Hayes revisited
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 11:11 AM

I think recent threads seem not to be picked up by Forum search? BTW the same issue of www.freefolk.com has an interview with Nigel Paterson of the Halliard.
RtS

Subject: RE: Elton Hayes revisited
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 11:00 AM

That's great - Elton Hayes still alive, and The Small Guitar in a safe place with someone who'll play it.

Strange about that thread - I just couldn''t find it either, and it's not all that long ago.

Subject: Elton Hayes revisited
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 10:27 AM

Couldn't trace the earlier thread. Here's an update from Mike Raven's latest Freefolk web newsletter (www.freefolk.com):

"I was delighted to find Elton Hayes on your website. Like so many children growing up in the 1950s, Elton was a great favourite of mine and has remained so over the years. He was one of the country's best known entertainers in the immediate post-war years, particularly for his renditions of Edward Lear's nonsense verses.

In addition to his many radio and TV programmes, Elton appeared on the West End stage in 'The Beaux Stratagem' at the Lyric Theatre and I saw him as the special guest singer in 'The Sooty Show' at the Adelphi Theatre in 1956. After playing the part of Alan-a-Dale in the film 'Robin Hood' (the 1952 Walt Disney production), he toured the United States and made innumerable radio and TV appearances. He even sang 'Whistle My Love' in a cowboy setting! The Small Guitar (which incidentally he bought from a junk shop and restored) accompanied him on all his travels.

In the mid 60s Elton retired from show business and began a new career as a farmer, breeding pedigree livestock. He was able to devote more time to his horses and took up carriage driving. Unfortunately, in 1995 he suffered a severe stroke and was in hospital for several months. Showing the same courage and determination that had helped him recover from rheumatic fever many years ago, Elton's health improved. Having no children, he decided to sell his show business memorabilia and move to live with friends. I heard about the auction just in time and was able to make successful bids for several items, including 'The Small Guitar'. Now in his 87th year, Elton spends his leisure time listening to classical music, doing crosswords and enjoying the company of his friends.

If anyone who has enjoyed Elton's music over the years would like to write to me, I can be contacted via my daughter's e-mail address - [e-mail]

Yours, Evelyn Branston"

RtS