Elton Hayes

Subject: Elton Hayes
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 12 Oct 02 - 05:46 AM

Whatever happened to Elton Hayes? I remember him in the 50s as a sort of prototype folk singer, i.e. he sang to his own guitar accompaniment and some of his material was traditional although he's probably only remembered for his singing of Lear's 'The Owl and the Pussy Cat.'He also played the role of Alan-a-Dale in the Disney version of Robin Hood.

Subject: RE: Elton Hayes
From: Orac
Date: 12 Oct 02 - 06:51 AM

Elton Hayes sadly died early last year in his 80's. I have a few 78's by him including the ones you mentioned. I remember him on a children's TV programme in the 50's. I understand that the was the first British singer to record accompanying himself soley with a guitar. Elton John took his name from him. I found an on-line obit for him a while ago by John Raven. I'll see if I can find it again. He is sadly over-looked these days as a fore-runner of modern folk singing. He had a fine voice and would be well received in folk clubs if he were still around, particularly amongst those that like traditional material.

Subject: RE: Elton Hayes
From: Orac
Date: 12 Oct 02 - 07:08 AM

Sorry I got that wrong. It was Mike Raven's on-line page that carried the obit. You can read it here. http://www.freefolk.com/eltonobituary.htm

Subject: RE: Elton Hayes
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 12 Oct 02 - 07:23 AM

Thanks for the info.Yes, I thought he has a good voice and rather liked his guitar playing. I often think he was ahead of his time, too early for skiffle! I'm 63 now, and remember him well on radio programmes and was intrigued by his songs. The only other folk music available at that time was the 'As I roved out series', and the American centred 'Big Bill Campbell'programmes which occasionally featured songs that were (at heart) traditional folk. I never understood why I liked such music, I just knew I did!

Subject: RE: Elton Hayes
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Oct 02 - 07:26 AM

Just in case Terry missed seeing this thread about Elton Hayes

Subject: RE: Elton Hayes
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Oct 02 - 08:27 AM

Thanks - what intrigues me, though, is what did he do during the folk boom of the 60s and 70s?