Seeking Maxie and Mitch

Subject: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: Bluegrassman
Date: 06 Sep 07 - 10:46 AM

I know that Billy Mitchell is currently working with Bob Fox but who has memories of Maxie and Mitch. I have been hunting for a video of the now defunct act, purely for personal use. There does not appear to be any commercially available. Who else recalls their fantastic act. Please PM me about any available video/DVD.

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: CannieShieldsLaddie
Date: 06 Sep 07 - 11:03 AM

Remember them very well indeed, specially the Duelling banjos sketch.
Saw them loads over the years, side splitting stuff.

They have performed together in Panto in Newcastle off and on for quite a few years now, hilarious stuff.

Not sure if there in one this year.

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: CannieShieldsLaddie
Date: 06 Sep 07 - 11:07 AM

Just found it, their in Sleeping Beauty this year.

Hope the link works(first attempt on here)


http://www.thejournaltynetheatre.co.uk/events/event.cfm?ev=863
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Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: Darowyn
Date: 06 Sep 07 - 03:06 PM

I know a very funny story about one of them (can't remember which), but it's a bit too scandalous to post, sadly.
No criticism of a great act, and I would not want to embarrass anyone.
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 06 Sep 07 - 03:25 PM

I'm sure I have a bit of video of them from a TV programme of the Leeds Folk Festival around 1982. or possibly Cambridge. I'll see if I still have it and get back to you. The 2 of them did appear at Aberdeen Folk club backing John Doonan in 1972, and I think later as a duo.

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: Seaking
Date: 06 Sep 07 - 03:25 PM

I vaguely remember them doing Curragh of Kildare (I think) at the Marsden Inn in South Shields and as the they walked off the stage having put down instruments and stopped singing, the vocals and instruments were still playing through the PA - was funny at the time as I recall it.

Chris

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Cannie Shields Laddie
Date: 06 Sep 07 - 03:31 PM

We were there at the Marsden that night Chris and remember that well.

Brian & Jenny

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 06 Sep 07 - 07:15 PM

Darowyn, seems a little unfair to the artist to mention this when you think the story unrepeatable. We're free to imagine all kinds of dreadful things whereas the truth may not be so dreadful after all. I'd rather you hadn't mentioned it at all.

I happened to see them a couple of times and thought them hilarious. They were invited to Tonder Festival in Denmark one year.

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: Seaking
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 08:29 AM

Cannie Shields laddie, I've been trying to date that night. Does somewhere around 1977 seem about right to you?
Chris

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Cannie Shields Laddie
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 11:33 AM

Probably Chris.

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 11:46 AM

I recall their rendition of 'The Boers have got me daddy' had us in fits!!

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 11:48 AM

..................also Del [Val?] Shannon's 'Runaway' with the organ bit on a joke 'accordeon'!!

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: Carol
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 01:58 PM

Did they do the throwing bread bit or was that someone else?

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,CannieShieldsLaddie
Date: 08 Sep 07 - 01:49 PM

They did a sketch with a Hat with Donkeys ears and Coconut shells

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Broadside Man
Date: 09 Sep 07 - 03:35 AM

They did indeed do the bread throwing bit.

We booked them for Wareham Folk Harvest one year and they took us by surprise with it. We invited them back the following year and took them by surprise by returning the favour !

Geoff

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: Alio
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 02:30 PM

I was told by Shep Woolley at Fylde folk festival that Maxie of the duo used to play for Carlisle United football team. My partner is a big supporter of the club and would love to know Maxie's real name. Does anyone know it?

Ali xx

PS Fylde was fantastic!!!!

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Seaking
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 04:00 PM

Maybe Peter McIntyre ?

Chris

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Graham Bradshaw
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 04:33 AM

Yes, Peter McIntyre is correct.

Last time I saw him (maxie) he was roadying for Lindisfarne on their final tour. Was also, I think, an early member of Hedgehog Pie (as was most of Newcastle it would seem!!)

An earlier poster mentioned the ill-fated Leeds Festival in the early 80s. Yes, they were on the TV coverage, so that footage should exist somewhere. As I recall, it was particularly bad - not them, the TV coverage. The cameraman seemed to cut to an audience shot just as they were about to do something visually funny. Typical TV!! And the sound was terrible.

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: Aeola
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 10:59 AM

If we're talking the same M&M they were in panto in Southport 10-12 years ago and did appear at the Maghull Day of Music!! Hilarious.

I agree Ali, Fylde was great, & the weather!!!

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Captain Farrell
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 06:17 AM

I remember the Magul gig very well. I had been sent early down to the local chippy because of long waiting times and holding onto the bag hurried back to the venue halfway back I met Billy on his way to the chip shop quick as a flash he said I will give you a tenner for what ever is in the bag I can not repeat my answer but I got a smile out of him.Ps they really were a great act.

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Dave (Bridge)
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 12:00 PM

Mitch aka Billy Mitchell is still around and very active, currently on tour with Bob Fox. Last saw Maxie a couple of years ago compering a victorian market in North Shields

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 06:24 AM

Is Paul O'Grady Billy Mitchell's stunt double ?

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: Alio
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 06:07 AM

Thanks for the info everyone!
Ali xx

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: Ritchie
Date: 30 Jan 11 - 04:47 AM

Did the video clip of them ever "materialise"? I have an album of theirs but can't find a 'video' anywhere!

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GMGough
Date: 30 Jan 11 - 07:56 AM

Excerpts from "The Sussex Folk Plus Jamboree" from Goodwood were broadcast by BBC in probably 1985. Maxie and Mitch do a comedy routine with a concertina which is followed by Del Shannon's "Runaway".

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,MAXIE(PETER MCINTYRE}
Date: 17 Feb 11 - 07:38 PM

BEST WISHES TO EVERYONE OUT THERE. STILL DOING IT, MAINLY COMEDY FOR THOMSON HOLIDAY CRUISES/GOLD HOTELS, SPORTING DINNERS AND CABARET. PLEASED SO MANY OF YOU HAD FUN TIMES WITH MITCH AND I, WE STILL PERFORM EVERY YEAR IN PANTO AT THE JOURNAL TYNE THEATRE, NEWCASTLE. JUST TO CLEAR UP A FEW OF THE QUESTIONS POSED. 1980 WOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST TIME FOR THE CURRAUGH OF KILDARE. CARLISLE UNITED 1967/69. TV; BBC CAMBRIDGE FOLK FEST, GOODWOOD FOLK FEST, YORKSHIRE TV; LEEDS FOLK FEST, DANISH TV; TONDER FESTIVAL, NO VIDEOSOR DVD AVAILABLE. YES I REMEMBER ALL THE WONDERFUL GIGS MENTIONED, AND THROWING BREAD TO YOU HUNGRY FOLKIES. YES I WAS ALSO AN ORIGINAL MEMBER OF HEDGEHOG PIE AND MAXIE AND MALCOLM, BEFORE MITCH WAS HIRED FROM A Y.O.P SCHEME. BEST WISHES, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE E.MAIL ME AT
[e-mail]    THANKS FOR THE LAUGHS x

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,screeminjesus
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 04:11 PM

Just found a Maxie & Mitch sketch on Utube. Nothing like a dame. Brilliant guys.

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,GeordieCanuck
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 02:50 PM

I have to agree with all the comments, we brought M&M to Mc the Horseshoe Valley FolkFest way back when and I think they are still clearing up the mess caused by people peeing themselves.They became regulars in Ontario and I am honored to call them friends,if you think they were great in concert you should have heard them around our house, what a pair.Alas great things come to an end, and we don't see them here anymore, I did go home to Shields last year and Mitch did a set for my mums birthday,(what a guy) and he was marvrllous of course. Also played a round of golf with Max. So take you bairns to their Pantos, best in town. PS Billy also has his own band The Billy Mitchell Band, and you'll see some of the super talented Mitchell kids with him.

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: breezy
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 04:25 PM

enjoyed that you tube clip

I only saw them once, at Village Pump in Trowbridge

Derek Brimmo recommended them

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Malcolm
Date: 12 Aug 11 - 06:33 PM

Loved the You Tube clip
Also saw them at Trowbridge Pump
This is what we need Today
A1 comedy By A1 Entertainers
Lets have more PLEASE.

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Bluegrassman
Date: 12 Aug 11 - 08:25 PM

Thanks for the nod from Guest,screaminjesus for the Youtube clip of this fine duo,I have been searching since I opened this thread in September 2007. More clips required please.

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Ole Aaen in Denmark
Date: 29 Nov 13 - 12:04 PM

I saw Maxie and Mitch on Danish tv many, many years ago - and I had them brought over for a LEGO party mid 80'ies I think it was

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Dallas Reid
Date: 06 Feb 16 - 07:20 AM

Saw these guys at Cambridge folk festival and then they came to Hong Kong so I rounded up as many pals as I could to go see them. I think half of them wet themselves laughing,

My favourites were Runaway with the misbehaving accordion, and "I can see clearly now" with the dark glasses on falling over everything on the stage. Brilliant.

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 06 Feb 16 - 02:31 PM

Billy Mitchell played locally a few months ago. Brilliant but not setting fire to his guitar headstock as he did the last time I saw Maxie & Mitch. (Mid '80s or earlier.)

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,GUEST: Lin
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 09:01 AM

Maxie and Mitch were friends of my late husband and I remember a crazy, hilarious night when the stayed at our house! Wonder which of them puked behind the bedroom door!!! Spoke to Maxie a few time on the phone after hubby's passing in '95 but now have lost touch.
Lin

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 16 - 03:20 PM

We had them for our 40th birthday. Am in lanzarote now on holiday and am reminded of the ibizer sketch with the potato down the swimming trunks!

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 20 Nov 16 - 02:30 PM

Billy Mitchell still gigging solo and currently in the Pitman Poets with Jez Lowe, Benny Graham, & Bob Fox in concerts

Ray

Saw Maxie and Mitch at Redcar folk festival with awhole load of Pyrotechnics [fireworks] could not happen nowadays!!

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,John Irvine.
Date: 21 Nov 16 - 11:58 AM

Last saw M&M at Nettlebed Club, I think a translator would have come in handy for some of the crowd. Best line of the night from Mitch "we can do a long encore, by the look of the audience they don't have to get back early for the baby sitters"

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Guest Carrie Owen
Date: 17 Jul 17 - 05:09 AM

Was thinking of Billy Mitchell today as I wrote birthday card to Di Davies, as it is his birthday I think on Wednesday same day as mine, Di's on Friday and Bronwen's Saturday. During panto at Southport we had
a joke going each day as to whether the moon was up or down, as this
dictated our mood!!! Maxi and Mitch ugly Sisters, my husband Glyn Baron Hardup and Frazer Hines, Buttons. Di Davies Fairy, Bronwen Prince Charming. Early 1990's, they worked for E & B Pantos for many years. Great double act, and fun drinking mates!!

Subject: RE: Seeking Maxie and Mitch
From: GUEST,Susie
Date: 17 Jul 17 - 06:05 PM

Mitch is on Facebook, by the way; on fine form. I'd just LOVE to see them perform again...