BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?

Subject: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 10:51 AM

What's the chances of that then?

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 11:24 AM

I'd second that - who do we write to?

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 03:05 PM

At last !! A sensible idea for an award !! Put my name down !!----Bubblyrat ( or Signor Tottoff---it means the same thing !!)

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Alec
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 03:28 PM

It has long been fashionable to sneer at them but they were an entry point to Folk for many people & in a world that fetishises the ephemeral they have shown immense durability.
Why shouldn't that be acknowledged?

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: danensis
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 03:34 PM

I've just sent an email to the BBC to ask how we go about it,

John

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Bernard
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 03:59 PM

They've earned it more than most - they brought folk to people who otherwise may have missed out. Me, for one!

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: The Walrus
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 08:37 PM

Count me in - My intro to folk music was a combination of a pretty, auburn haired student teacher* and the Spinners.

W


* I must have been all of seven or eight - she obviously made an impression

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Girl Friday
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 09:59 PM

I loved the Spinners tv shows from 30 or 40 years ago. I'd no idea then that I'd ever meet any of them, as I wasn't introduced to Folk Clubs until 1987. Hufghie Jones is a lovely man, and deserves an award to himself. I also met Cliff Hall, once, when he came to one of Hughie's gigs. If the BBC respond John, let's have a cliccky.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: GUEST,Billy
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 12:14 AM

I'd have to disagree. They weren't very good vocally or insrumentally or even very original. Just because they got a TV show made them out to be better than a whole bunch of really good folk acts that were burning up and down the UK at the time.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: eddie1
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 01:11 AM

Guest Billy
You have every right to disagree of course but –
"They weren't very good vocally or insrumentally or even very original."
They were very good at what they did – a singing group who accompanied themselves. They never were, nor claimed to be, an instrumental group! A folk group who are "original" are contemporary.
Yes, there were better, however you gauge that, folk groups around but The Spinners brought folk music to a whole lot of people who would have missed out otherwise. They persuaded my mother, who had never had any other exposure to folk music, to buy me their double album.
So many people who heard The Spinners then went on to frequent folk clubs and help keep the movement alive.
As ambassadors for folk, they deserve an award.
I'll sign a petition!

Eddie

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 03:36 AM

I agree they merit recognition, but are there others who deserve a "Lifetime Award" for English folk more? I think there must be: -
Some of the following overlap, some have already been honoured.... (and some are dead, but you get my drift)
Any Waterson
Any Carthy
Any Copper (well, not "Ello Ello Wots All This Ere Then?")
Steeleye
Fairport
Thompson (not to my taste, and not really folk for some time now)
Kirkpatrick
Sundry players of threepenny bits (Anderson, Atterson, Etc)

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 04:02 AM

I think Hutchings got one a few years ago - well deserved I'd say.

I feel they deserve an Award because so many of us not only enjoyed what they did, but they showed us that pretty well any one can sing folk songs.

Surely that is a very important point? Songs that had survived for centuries in the lives of the rural, urban and sea going communities were re-claimed, if that is not too strong a word, by the largely urban communities of yougish people of the 1960's.

The message was simple: simple accompianment, strong tunes, a bit of humour, the semi- formal folk club, chorus singing, beer, go on, say you didn't like it?

In the early sixties the Spinners were more or less original and soon thousands of folk groups were born. It is easy to say they were around at the right time but they did actually do the work. They did it right and they did it well. They were critised for not singing the songs of a region but they were from the international city of Liverpool.

Ok, enough for now!

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: guitar
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 04:01 PM

as some once said "about bloody time too" ans what about the Dubliners or The Corries or even the Clancys and Tommy Makem.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: guitar
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 04:03 PM

I'm sorry if you don't agree with what I said

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 02:13 AM

Guest Billy must never have heard Hughie Jones sing, he is a very fine singer.

eric

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: The Walrus
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 04:00 AM

There have been comments made on the Spinners' quality.
Other performers have been mentioned as being more deserving of awards.

These may or may not be true, but the point is that those other (possibly better) performers were WITHIN the folk community.
The Spinners may be considered a little bland by some but they 'out there', they were the accessible gateway to folk music for many. It was The Spinners that had people looking in the 'Folk' section at local record shops as much as any other performer (and probably more than most).

As Bernard put it "...they brought folk to people who otherwise may have missed out..."

W

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 04:25 AM

and polo shirts with things hanging round their neck....

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: GUEST,banjoman
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 06:15 AM

Count me in on any move to make a lifetime award to the Spinners.
As someone who was part of the Folk Scene in Liverpool in the early days, I was privileged to meet them and to support their club at the Gregsons Well. It is worth pointing out that many of the other so - called contenders (Watersons etc) I first saw at the Spinners Club.
Their regular concerts at the Phiharmonic Hall drew large audiences , mainly of non -folkies, many of whom went on to appreciate the genre.
Some may question their musicality etc, but it is worth knowing that they had other talents as well.
Hughie Jones - a fine guitar/banjo player and songwriter.
Tony - a great jazz singer and banjo player
Cliff (plus wife) great exponents of music hall songs
Mick - again a songwriter who was also a fine teacher.
Enough said?

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Betsy
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 06:52 AM

Seconded Banjoman - they made Folk accessible and they were a nice bunch of guys . I had the pleasure of guesting at their Club in Gregsons Well,
but due to a woeful lack of of geography - I dropped VG off for a gig in South Wales and arrived a bit late in Liverpool, but they were very understanding about how tired I was - as we had started our journey from home in the N.East of Englandn!!!. What they did, they did very well, infinitely better than that lass who used to come on TV and EVERY time sing Daddys taking us to the Zoo tomorrow. Good health and luck to them all, and to all you Mudcatters.

Cheers ,
Betsy

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Alec
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 07:00 AM

Julie Felix that was,Betsy.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Bernard
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 07:39 AM

Banjoman - well said!

You forgot to mention Tony's whistle playing!

Many people think that they had a chap called 'Francis K. Bosworth' writing and arranging for them... 'he' was a pseudonym the band used for stuff they had written or arranged themselves.

I think 'Guest Billy' must be mixing the Spinners up with some other band... the Spinners were unique.

Julie Felix is still around, too (and as busy as ever!) - sadly, her TV image was dictated by the programme schedulers... nowt new about that!

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Betsy
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 08:12 AM

Thanks Alec and Bernard - Bernard used a phrase I was maybe looking for in relation to the Spinners (also) in that their " TV image was dictated by the programme schedulers".
I'm sure JF was much better than that duff song she was always made to sing.

Cheers again,
Betsy

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 04:40 AM

If you would like to support the Spinners for a "Life-time Achievement Award" you could e-mail Mike Harding from his website:

http://www.mikeharding.co.uk/

http://www.mikeharding.co.uk/

Plaese encourage your friends to do the same. Perhaps will get a truly popular Award this way?

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 07:40 AM

I heartily second (or third) what The Walrus and Banjoman have said. A lot of their importance lies in what ELSE they contributed, apart from their musical performances (which some people like better than others, but that's always going to be a matter of personal opinion, hence not worth arguing about). What is fact is their genuine concern for the genre and also for their fans, whom they always treated with the utmost respect and consideration. Packie and I got to know them a bit when we would play in their club (we usually stayed with Tony) and I cannot emphasise enough what utter gentleman they are, and the value of their contributions both on- and off-stage to their community (you never hear about that).   

I heard Mick singing somewhere informally once – backstage at the BBC? – an unaccompanied traditional song. Blew my socks off.

I'm off to MH's website as soon as I've posted this -

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 08:00 AM

I'll third that - as has been said, the Spinners were hugely important in that they were 'out there' rather than playing to the converted. They helped bring me to the fold, and I'm sure there are thousands more like me.
I'd like to see their contribution recognised.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 08:20 AM

"and polo shirts with things hanging round their neck.... "

wasn't that the Corries? Or Dylan? Or Simon and Garfunkel? or..

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 08:27 AM

It's funny how people can hear but don't really hear! Guest Billy said The Spinners couldn't sing. Well, Hughie can sing up a storm; infact, 40 years ago he was one of the best singers on the UK folkscene. Mick Groves, also, was a pretty good singer, and Tony was a great harmony singer.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: GUEST,George Henderson
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 08:56 AM

I had the pleasure of meeting Hughie Jones in the USA last June. He is a wonderful singer and a very pleasant man to be in your company. I met Tony once and he impressed me and now I have been immensley impressed by Hughie.They were instrumental in my intorduction to folk musice as were the Clancy's The Dubliners the McPeake's Bob Davenport and Bob Dylan.

So yes - I think they really deserve an award.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 08:58 AM

I have started a thread on the BBC 2 Folk website you might like to continue the lobbying there too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbradio2/F2142825

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbradio2/F2142825


Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: VIN
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 09:03 AM

Well said folks!! About time indeed. It would be great to see the four lads (and the 'count') get an award. They were the folks scenes 'fab four' in my opinion. What other fold group in the early days could consistently sell out the Free Trade Hall (turning it into a folk club for a night) or the Liverpool Phil?

They appealed to a family audience and tried there best to involve everyone in there shows. No frills, no 'airs & graces', just fab music. Saw Hughie not too long ago at the Open Door folk club in Failsworth and he was as good as ever.

Give em the award. I've e-mailed Mike Harding as suggested above. Fingers crossed.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 09:25 AM

I wondered how long it would take.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Snuffy
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 09:36 AM

Who's Richard Thompson?

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 09:58 AM

Well, he is an incredible singer and songwriterwith both feet deeply embedded in traditional music.

He has been drawn in here for reasons best known to guest. it seems a feature of the Mudcat that after a certain number of posts people join in, in strange ways, so to speak

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: GUEST,Helen
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 10:20 AM

I would just like to add my vote for the Spinners. I came to folk just slightly too late for the Spinners to be my introduction - Fairport & Steeleye were in full flight by then - but having seen Hughie on many occasions in the last few years I wish I'd been around a bit earlier. He is a great singer and performer, who always seems to command attention and respect from his audience. His songs are thoroughly reasearched and he has a real love of music which comes shining through when you watch him. Always got time to talk to people as well.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 10:27 AM

Good luck in your efforts!

I was privileged to meet Hughie Jones last October when Ken Lardner of the Chantey Cabin was helping me re-explore Liverpool's "sailortown." We had a wonderful visit at his townhouse.

I had also met Hughie at the Mystic Sea Music Festival last June where he did some singing, which was certainly well received.

Charley

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: vectis
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 11:35 AM

I think they deserve some recognition for making folk 'mainstream' for a while.
Does anyone else remember the Yetties Christmas Specials on TV and radio?

It got me and many others into folk some of us are still enthusiasts. It just makes me so angry that the media decided to put folk down and tried to destroy it once they had toyed with it for a while. But they didn't succeed did they?

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 11:43 AM

Certainly not!

The current resergence of quality pro and semi pro bands and musicians is most exciting. But I have to say it is the week by week work and joy of little folk clubs up and down the land that are the life blood of folk.

These clubs are the current home of the oral tradition and they don't need the media. Al they need is a decent room, some friendly people who will have a sing and a decent lemonade.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: VIN
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 08:33 AM

Got this reply from Mike Harding re this thread as follows.......

I'm already on to it

Others would be

Bill Leader
The Dubliners
Peggy Seeger



Mike

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 08:45 AM

Funny, I got the same reply.

Altho mine also had the sign-off:

Lovce [sic]

Mike

Good to know he cares...

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: danensis
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 08:48 AM

Another candidate, I would think, is Ian Campbell. Just about anybody who was anybody appeared at the Jug O'Punch in the 1960s

John

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 05:02 PM

It looks like we ahve some chance with this please kepp it popping up?

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: skipy
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 05:16 PM

Do they still live in Detroit?
Skipy

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 05:35 PM

Very good observation of the History of Rock!

We need more of this.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: The Walrus
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 05:55 AM

I contacted the Mike Harding site last night and, this morning I received the single word reply "Sorted".

Walrus

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 07:42 AM

I got the same message as VIN.

Here's hoping.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 08:07 AM

I'd certainly support an Award for The Spinners, as they were my introduction to folk music.

However, is there a Late Lifetime Award, for guys like Alex Campbell or Hamish Imlach?

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 02:01 PM

I'll vote for the Spinners. I have a dim and distant recollection of them performing in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank in London in about 1968, and inviting members of the audience to contribute verses for Cosher Bailey...

Kitty

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: MairSea
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 06:47 AM

Have emailed Mike Harding and received a reply to say he is on the case. Keep plugging folks eh?

Ann XOX

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 07:35 AM

Great Thread this!!!

My Rocky Chick daughters still love to hear 'Asikatali' (and sing alang wivvit) and 'Black & White', Family Of Man' etc.

These fower 'lads' wez singin' 'World Music' before the genre wez ever caalled 'World Music' - Caribbean Calypso, Breton, Swahili etc

Diz anbody remember Hughie J in tie-dyed tights deein' aall the actions to '12 Days Of Christmas' at their Christmas shows? WOMAD before it wes WOMAD.

There's also been mention of 'not bein' able te sing' - Aah beg te differ - Lanky Tony probably had the least 'sure' up-front voice but Mick, Hughie and Cliff (Basso profundo) were great AND Tony wez a fantasic harmoniser and a better-than-canny whistle player.

It wez interestin taalkin' te cliff coz he had quite a high pitched speakin' voice but had the most amazing bass back line - Aah once asked him how he did it and he said 'I don't know, it just happens' - but as he spoke the words his voice dropped aboot 3 octaves.

The' get my vote - Nee bother

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Alec
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 08:22 AM

Pleased wheels are turning.
GUEST 07:35. Have you lost your cookie?

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: VIN
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 08:59 AM

Hey Susanne (skw), nice idea about Alex Campbell - another one for the 'list'. He was another who turned me on to folk music after listening to a fab live album of his in the late sixties and then one or two others, especially an Alex and friends album featuring Sandy Denny. His live gigs were something else - a towering figure (for someone like me in me late teens at the time), who could look quite threatening at one point and then launch into a lovely, heartfelt song like Paxton's 'Victoria Dines Alone', great guy eh?

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: pavane
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 02:49 AM

I only saw the Spinners live once, when they did a few songs totally unaccompanied at a lunchtime session in the bar of the Dubai Marine hotel (1980). And they were VERY good. Stood comparison with any vocal group that I can remember.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Schantieman
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 06:41 AM

Go for it.

As I've remarked elsewhere, Hughie (and Christine) are still very active in the Liverpool folk scene. Amongst other thing, they run the regular Tuesday night club at the Everyman Theatre in Hope Street. In the basement 'third room' beyond the bar and bistro (both of which are also excellent); 8.30 I think. Haven't been there for a bit, sadly, but they always make me welcome.

I shall contact Mike now.

Steve

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:22 PM

We still do a couple of their songs. A bit dated to us but fresh meat for newbies on the scene. I've seen them in large clubs and Manchester Free Trade Hall many times.

I hate awards on priciple but agree they deserve one.

Dave Wynn

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 12:50 PM

I think we need all the support we can get.

So, er thanks

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 08 Jun 07 - 04:21 AM

Seems like a good idea to me.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Jun 07 - 05:33 AM

I guested at the everyman folk club earlier this year, itwas brilliant,Hughie and Christine and committee run a great club.
yes, the Spinners deserve an award

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 01:41 PM

Me too. does anybody have a feeling as to when we should start banging the drum, so to speak?

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: GUEST,Tom Willis
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 12:48 PM

I think Jacqui McDonald should also get an award for her services in the folk industry, having sang with the Spinners and then with Bridie O'Donnell she was a legand!

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 02:03 AM

That's true Tom, she and Bridie did such a lot of great music from the 60's onwards, it's easy to forget how original and exciting they were!

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: VIN
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 08:29 AM

Ere ere !!

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 16 Nov 07 - 02:57 AM

This confirms what I thought about the Lifetime Award for the Spinners

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: GUEST,Chris in Kendal
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 12:44 PM

The Spinners were fantastic. A great entertainment group... they just happened to perform folk songs... Has there been any news as to whether there has been any look with the BBC. Has anyone got any old footage of them from the TV days?? If so, get in touch with me at [e-mail]. Thanks

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 02:13 PM

Will they get a LTA Award? Is their anything we can do to help?

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 15 Jan 08 - 08:30 AM

Is this looking like a dead duck then?

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: GUEST,Tony Davis
Date: 06 Dec 11 - 08:52 AM

I'd just like to say "Thank you" to all the luverly folk who have been sending messages to the site about "Awards".
I should mention that "The Accoustic Festival of Britain - Great? - gave us their "Lifetime Achievment Award" at the Uttoxeter Festival, and very moving it was. Cliff's widow came over from Australia to receive his award and his son, Cliff junior, played string bass on "Dirty Old Town" - with Cliff's harmonica part transcribed by Count John Macormick!
Mick is very active - mostly in the South; Hughie is even more active - all over the place despite some rotten luck medically. Count John and I are mostly involved with Jazz - and some Folk - Jacqueline Macdonald is very much still as brilliant as ever, having just filled Liverpool Phil with a concert celebrating the lovely late Bridie O'Donnell, her long time singing partner. "Old Folkies never die" Well, seldom anyway!
"Carry On Folking!" - Hey! That would be a great film......

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Dec 11 - 09:13 AM

Wow, Tony Davies!

I still cherish memories of you at The Phil, not least with Pete Seeger. I have programmes and dozens of Spin magaizines. Thanks for all the songs - some of which I still sing

L in C#

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Silas
Date: 06 Dec 11 - 10:27 AM

I have been campaigning for an award for the Spinners for years.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 06 Dec 11 - 10:36 AM

Lovely clips on YouTube of Jacqui and Bridie's (loved their jig dolls apparently given to them by Jean Ritchie) and the Spinners and the Pennine Folk and Five Penny Piece and The Houghton Weavers and The Oldham Tinkers and Ewan McColl & Peggy Seeger and .... spent a whole day listening to clips from the 1960s remembering my mispent youth in the folk clubs of the South (Stanford Arms, Springfield), London (Bunjies, The Crypt), and the North (too many to remember).

I hope that the Spinners get a Lifetime Award - they certainly started me on the road to being a folk music and song and dance enthusiast; and loads of my friends too.

CJB

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Vin2
Date: 07 Dec 11 - 06:35 AM

Nice one Tony Davis. Always think of the Spinners at this time of the year with there brilliant Chrismas concerts you used to do at Manchester's Free Trade Hall (now sadly a hotel). Well remember Hughie coming on stage dressed in tights and tutu as you performed twelve days of Christmas.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: GUEST,Lizabelle
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 06:01 AM

In my early teens when all my friends were following the Osmonds and David Cassidy I became a fan of a group which was founded in the year I was born. In many ways I behaved like a teenage fan (got the newsletter, sent in dedications when they did radio shows), but I learned about folk music from them and that has stayed with me. I was a member of EFDSS as a teenager because they told me about it. I saw them on their farewell tour just a month before my wedding and also managed one of the reunion tours.
A huge part of my life, and if Tony's still reading this: thank you all so very much - and pass it on!

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Bernard
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 09:46 AM

I don't think The Spinners really need a lifetime achievement award - in all of our hearts they have already got it!!

Perhaps official recognition from either the EFDSS or Radio 2 Folk Awards would be nice, though.

They were certainly a kick in the right direction for me in my early folk career... as was John Kirkpatrick, the Oldham Tinkers, The Yetties, Rosie Hardman and Bob Axford!

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: stallion
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 10:12 AM

I am a big Fan and their influence on the folk world is immeasurable and so it is right and just that the group should be recognised officially as such, however, awards really mean diddly squat what really counts is what is in the hearts and minds of the great unwashed and I believe that there is a genuine affection and admiration for the group and that is what really matters

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Vin2
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 10:28 AM

Nicely put Bernard & stallion. T'would be great to have a Spinners tribute night at a suitable location (or as a festival event?) sometime. For me they epitomised (not an easy word to say i might add) the idea of 'folk' music being for all the family (of man) young and old, from all races and creeds - a tradition exemplified (there i go agin) wonderful Watersons, Coppers, McPeaks, Wilsons, et al.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 10:54 AM

Good point Bernard - I think it says more about the BBC, whatever that means, than it does about The Spinners. I think the EFDSS gave them a Gold Badge - but I might be wrong.

Les

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 12:29 PM

The Spinners richly deserve this.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Bert
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 02:14 PM

Let us give them our own Mudcat tribute. And what better tribute could we give than for us to list THEIR songs that We sing.

So here goes. I've just gone through my songbook and here is a list of songs that I sing that get into my song list directly from the singing of The Spinners.

Everybody, let us have your list too.

A Roving        
According to the Act        
Adam in the Garden                
Blow Ye Winds in the Morning
Congo River
Ebeneezer - The
Fireship
Harbour Le Cou
In Me Liverpool Home
Island Woman
Leave Her Johnny
Liverpool Barrow boy                
Leaving of Liverpool
Liverpool Judies              
Liverpool Lullaby
In Me Liverpool Home
Love is a Teasing
Maggie May
Manchester Rambler
Mechanical Blackbird
Night Visiting Song
Paddy Lay Back
Roll Alabama Roll
South Australia      
Spanish Ladies
Three Score and Ten
Waters of Tyne
Whiskey Johnny

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: scouse
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 03:20 PM

The problem is the Spinners come from Liverpool and The Beeb Beeb Ceeb is in London an half of them
don't know what resides north of the Watford Gap!

As Aye,

Phil.

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 03:58 PM

The EFDSS did indeed give each of the Spinners a Gold badge, back in 1983. And they were given a Lifetime Award by the Acoustic Festival of Britain, held in Uttoxeter, last year. And fRoots did an article on them last year as well.
Derek Schofield

Subject: RE: BBC Life time Award for the Spinners?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 13 Apr 12 - 02:31 AM

Come on then BBC/Smooth Opps/Mike Harding

L in C#