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Help: Shirley Abicaire

18 Nov 00 - 07:23 AM (#342898)
Subject: Shirley Abicaire
From: Michael in Swansea

At rehearsals last night our illustrious leader, Cap'n Hand, brought along Harvey Andrew's Otter song.
"What's that got to do with sea shanties?" we asked
"It's got water in it" he replied.
This brought up other songs with "water in it" including one of my childhood favourites "Little boy fishing off a wooden pier"
Which brings up the subject of this thread. What has become of Shirley Abicaire? Is she still alive? Where's she living? Are any of her recordings available? Anyone know anything? Shirley, if you're out there, just to let you know you are fondly remembered, not forgotten.
I'll be back on the 'Cat on Monday, (I'm not on line at home, only in work), and I would be dreadfully disappointed if no-one remembered her and her zither.

Mike, a not so secret fan of Shirley Abicaire.


18 Nov 00 - 09:45 AM (#342954)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: The Shambles

When I was about 5, she was the most sexy thing on TV.

Phew! Time for a cold shower now, I think.


18 Nov 00 - 09:49 AM (#342957)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: The Shambles

This was sadly all I could find on Google HERE


18 Nov 00 - 05:35 PM (#343150)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Doctor John

Shambles, I'm afraid I only heard her on BBC radio; seems I missed something! All I can recall is Australian lady, lovely voice, played the zither. I guess she (and Elton Hayes) got me onto folk music all those infant school years ago: I just liked the style, the sound. She sang "Willie Can You Cook" if I recall; hardly folk music I feel but she still gave it that direct simple sound. I did ask about her on a thread some time ago but no ones seems to remember. Dr John


18 Nov 00 - 07:18 PM (#343178)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: The Shambles

Well to be honest at that time, there was not much competition and I was easy to please. Always was a sucker for that 'flick-up' hair style.


18 Nov 00 - 08:36 PM (#343222)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: John Routledge

To Micheal in Swansea

We remember Shirley. She had a major part in a Norman Wisdom movie - He fell for her I think. She was a real sex symbol - certainly to a ten year old.

It is not entirely relevant but Norman Wisdom is still alive. GB


19 Nov 00 - 10:17 AM (#343445)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,Colwyn Dane

G'day,

I too remember Shirley but I can't find out what became of her.
The only information that I found,is that which relates to her recordings
and here it is: some Shirley Abicaire recordings

Bcnu, Colwyn.


19 Nov 00 - 10:49 AM (#343449)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,Colwyn Dane

G'day,

I too remember Shirley but I can't find out what became of her.
The only information that I found,is that which relates to her recordings
and here it is: some Shirley Abicaire recordings

Bcnu, Colwyn.


19 Nov 00 - 02:05 PM (#343499)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: John Routledge

Apologies to Norman Wisdom

Sorry Norman.

It is VERY relevant to you that you are still alive.


19 Nov 00 - 03:30 PM (#343536)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: The Shambles

And to Albania.


20 Nov 00 - 03:56 AM (#343807)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Michael in Swansea

Oh well, thanks anyway.
Colwyn, interesting looking site. I'll have a proper look at lunchtime.
That's good news about Sir Norman

Mike


20 Nov 00 - 05:48 AM (#343832)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Trevor

I remember her - I hated 'Little boy.....' but loved her. She seemed to be a regular on CRACKERJACK (I can't type loud) in the days of Eamonn Andrews, Double or Drop and does anybody remember the gorgeous (to my 10 year old mind)girl who used to look after the contestants - I think her name was Gillian Comber. Sorry about the thread creep but the Shirley Abicaire connection has transported me. I can almost smell dinner cooking in the house where I grew up.


20 Nov 00 - 06:53 AM (#343851)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: The Shambles

CRACKERJACK!!!

Yes I remenber. Time for yet another cold shower.


20 Nov 00 - 07:54 AM (#343868)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Michael in Swansea

Oh yes, she could have given me a cabbage anytime

Mike


20 Nov 00 - 01:21 PM (#344050)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Doctor John

If you miss Shirley, there's always Isla StClair. Gorgeous!
Dr John


20 Nov 00 - 05:36 PM (#344175)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: The Shambles

You could always 'Double or drop'?


21 Nov 00 - 02:20 AM (#344320)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Anglo

http://www.abc.net.au/sundayarts/s102954.htm says:

She was very well known on childrens programs and as a folk singer - the "zither girl" - in the nineteen fifties. Later on in the sixties she became friends with Ken Kesey and joined his bohemian community of writers and musicians in Oregon in the United States. In those days Shirley was frequently seen driving her gold Cadillac down Americas west coast.

A quick google search doesn't come up with anything recent. The Norman Wisdom movie was "One Good Turn."

If you do more web searching, remember the spelling is "Abicair." (no final e)


21 Nov 00 - 02:52 AM (#344322)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Rick Fielding

Damn, this is getting interesting. I hope SOMEBODY comes up with a picture of the lady. Heck I'll enjoy looking at the Zither as well!

Rick


21 Nov 00 - 03:33 AM (#344326)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Steve Parkes

I've been waiting patiently too for someone to come up with a pic, Rick. I saw one of her with fellow Aussie Frank Ifield (who I'm reliably informed was also very sexy, but I can't say I noticed) on some BBC tv show about 1960 or just after.

Those were grand days for female vocalists, weren't they? Remember Alma Cogan? The sound of Eartha Kitt's voice still sends shivers down my, er, spine; it would be most unsgentlemanly of me to say she's,looking her age now. If I'd been an adolescent instead of a little lad int he fifteis, I think I'd have had many restless nights!

Steve


21 Nov 00 - 03:39 AM (#344329)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Steve Parkes

And Astrud Gilberto (Girl from Ipanema, 1964): a little late for our period (and I was and adolescent by then!). Such an awful singer, but such a sexy voice!


21 Nov 00 - 04:00 AM (#344333)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Michael in Swansea

Dr John,

Say Isla's name with reverence, I'm absolutely potty about her. Sang with her in Scarborough (but I've metioned that before).
Getting back to Shirley, there has be, there must to be, someone out there who can help in the quest.

Mike


21 Nov 00 - 04:20 AM (#344336)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler

Text, interview, photos (including zither) at this site:
http://www.whirleygig-tv.co.uk/
Click Here
Also found reference to another site but her entry seemed empty (http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~csinclair/Shirley_Abicair.htm)
RtS (memories, memories- radio ones for me- we didn't have a tv until I finished college)


21 Nov 00 - 04:24 AM (#344337)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler

...and of course I ballsed it up "whirligig" (i not y) SORRY!Clic here
RtS


21 Nov 00 - 04:28 AM (#344338)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler

Ever had one of those days?
Click here
RtS (Fumble fingers slinks off to shoot himself)


21 Nov 00 - 05:38 AM (#344348)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Steve Parkes

Roger, you'll only make a pig's ear of it -- let me do it!


21 Nov 00 - 05:42 AM (#344351)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler

Thanks, Steve, I knew I could rely on you in my hour of need!
RtS


21 Nov 00 - 07:16 AM (#344385)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Michael in Swansea

Roger, Steve,

Thank you, the most success so far, the page is bookmarked. Looks veeeerrrrrry nostalgic

May you always walk in sunshine.

Ok then so where is she NOW? She'd only be about 70, that's not ancient! I mean Elizabeth Cotton was still performing in her 90's well late 80's anyway.
br>

Yes Steve, Alma Cogan, "the girl with the laugh in her voice". Another victim of the big C (when was it, 1965?). I've got her greatest hits Vol 1 album.

Mike


21 Nov 00 - 09:41 AM (#344460)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Snuffy

When I was a kid I always thought it was Al McCogan


21 Nov 00 - 10:30 AM (#344493)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Steve Parkes

Can I borrow it?!


21 Nov 00 - 10:47 AM (#344517)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Michael in Swansea

Can you borrow what?
Going home now speak tomorrow.

Mike


21 Nov 00 - 12:54 PM (#344625)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Trevor

What a brilliant clicky. I think I'm going to cry!

When I was a kid I thought that Marry O'Lanza was an Irishman.


21 Nov 00 - 01:41 PM (#344657)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Doctor John

Thanks for finding that site RtS. There was a programme on BBC1 Radio a few years ago now, "Hello Children Everywhere", about the "Children's Favourites" programs on BBC radio in the 40's and 50's. In two parts but I only taped the second part. I'm sure shirley Abicaire was featured: must check if I can find the tape. Dr John


21 Nov 00 - 02:28 PM (#344683)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: The Shambles

Was 'Big Billy Goat Gruff' on it?


21 Nov 00 - 03:26 PM (#344715)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Snuffy

I have a double cassette of "Hello Children ...Everywhere" issued by EMI in the late 80's. It has "Little Boy Fishing" and "Billy Goats Gruff"


21 Nov 00 - 04:19 PM (#344738)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: MARINER

Did Al McCogan make records around the same time as the Calypso singer Arabella Fontaine?


21 Nov 00 - 05:35 PM (#344761)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Rick Fielding

Thank you Roger, you may fumble over your "blue clickys" but I got to see the obviously much appreciated Shirely!

Yep.....she's got IT! OH my, I'll have to forget that by now she's in her 60s......or that I'm in my 50s!

Rick


22 Nov 00 - 01:36 PM (#345214)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Doctor John

Damn it: she must have been on vol 1 which I didn't tape. However on vol 2 which I did (both introduced and written by Jeremy Nicholls, which amused fond affection) was Alma Cogan, whom someone mentioned above and who sadly died young; cowboy singers Tes Ritter and Roy Rogers; folkoids Vernon Delhart and Elton Hayes; Bing sound-a-like Michael Holliday who did a lot of folkish stuff; as well as skifflers, LD, Johnnie Duncan, Nancy Whiskey and Don Lang and the Frantic Five (Over The Points...). Memories!
Dr John
So was Mandy Miller: no prizes for guessing what she sang!


22 Nov 00 - 04:59 PM (#345302)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: The Shambles

'Nellie the elephant'.


24 Nov 00 - 02:54 AM (#345938)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Doctor John

Ok OK you've won an elephant. Coming by snail mail. Dr John


24 Nov 00 - 07:21 AM (#345981)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: The Shambles

Who sang the Billy Goat Gruffs?

Whoever answers can have my elephant. Quick before it arrives.


24 Nov 00 - 08:33 AM (#346001)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler

Burl Ives? I want to send the elephant on to Steve Parkes for the cricket joke!
RtS


24 Nov 00 - 08:34 AM (#346003)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Snuffy

I'll check when I get home from work, but I think it might have been Danny Kaye.

Wassail! V


24 Nov 00 - 09:34 AM (#346035)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Steve Parkes

If you can make that two elephants -- I could us e an extra pair of trunks if it starts raining again!

I'm pretty sure it qasn't Dany Kaye. It was an American male (or Canadian possibly); I don't remember him doing anything else in the UK. I do remember seeing Caroll (sp?) Levis on ITV when I was very small and thinking "Where's Carol? Why doesn't this man get off and let her on the stage?".

Steve

P.S. Who did "Sparky's [no relation] Magic Piano"?


24 Nov 00 - 09:49 AM (#346041)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler

I hated Sparky and Tubby the tuba (that one was> Danny Kaye wasn't it?), probably heard them too many times!
I do remember being part of a large choir oof schoolkids in B'ham town hall backing a Burl Ives soundalike (and lookalike- well he had a bandana and a checked shirt!)on Big Rock Candy Mountain, can't remember the other songs,maybe Billy GoatGruff as well, some sort of junior promenade concert thing- as usual, I was told just to mime!
RtS


24 Nov 00 - 05:36 PM (#346219)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Snuffy

I was wrong - not Danny Kaye! On the tape liner it says Three Billy Goats Gruff was by Frank Luther.

Wassail! V


25 Nov 00 - 07:03 AM (#346449)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Doctor John

You mean you've got a copy!
Dr John
PS ..er..you haven't got a copy of "The Laughing Policeman" of those barking dogs, have you?


26 Nov 00 - 05:08 AM (#346861)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Snuffy

"The Laughing Policeman" sung by Charles Penrose is on side III, track 4, but you've lost me with the dogs there!

Wassail! V


26 Nov 00 - 06:26 AM (#346864)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: The Shambles

Was this the dogs singing (barking), from 'The Lady and the Tramp'?


27 Nov 00 - 06:02 AM (#346988)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler

My researches also point to Frank Luther, NOT Burl Ives for Billy Goat Gruff, and yet the name still rings no bells in my fading memory. BTW, Arlo Guthrie recorded it more recently.
RtS


27 Nov 00 - 11:47 AM (#347029)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Steve Parkes

Ah, the Singing Dogs! I can only remember them doing "Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man", but then maybe they all sounded like "Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man"?

I've got a 78 by Musical Dawson's Choir of Canaries! They don't actually do a tune, they just sing over the orchestra. But this man made a living out of it!


28 Nov 00 - 08:41 AM (#347476)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Michael in Swansea

I've got a 45 of the Singing Sheep doing "Baa Baa Black Sheep"


28 Nov 00 - 09:33 AM (#347487)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Patrish(inactive)

My mum and dad used to have the 78 of "I taught I taw a putty tat" and "The laughing policeman"
I have a copy of "hello Children everywhere" which has tons of the old Uncle Mac favourites
Patrish


24 Jul 04 - 03:04 PM (#1232911)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,Nev

Have you actually made progress? Where IS Shirley Abicaire? I have a tape ofhumorous songs of the time---my grandchildren love them.Good to see a link to the best,SIR Norman Wisdom. Ah well,back to today!


24 Jul 04 - 04:47 PM (#1232986)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Amos

See Home Page here, or this Google report

A


24 Jul 04 - 05:29 PM (#1233023)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Little Robyn

If anyone is still interested, Sparky was spoken by a kid named Henry Blair, at least, on the magic piano record, and the whole thing was written and produced by Alan Livingston. The original music and arrangements were by Billy May, who, with Livingston, also did Rusty in Orchestraville and Bozo at the circus. The talking piano was by Sonovox but the playing was done by Ray Turner.
The story was copyright 1947, I bought the record around 1960, but it was redone as a video cartoon and my daughter was given a copy about 15 years ago. The line-up is quite different - Josh Rodine is Sparky, Tony Curtis is his father and the others are Mel Blanc, Coral Browne, Cloris Leachman, Nancy Olson and Vincent Price. William Schallert is the narrator and pianist Leonard Pennario plays on this one.
Nobody really needed to know that, did they?
Robyn


24 Jul 04 - 07:20 PM (#1233078)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,Billy

Doctor John - The Laughing policeman is on a compilation CD called "Radio Fun" CDHD208 by Happy Days. It says you can get it
here


25 Jul 04 - 12:26 AM (#1233222)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Margret RoadKnight

She was sometimes billed as "the girl with the come zither look".

Pity there's still no info on her life after the early '60s (those Us hints are tantalizing) and that her name wasn't spelled correctly!


29 Sep 08 - 10:43 AM (#2452833)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,Dilwyn Price

Listening to BBC radio 2 today 29/9/08 it was mentioned about first popstar crushes, mine was Shirley, as I was born in 1951 I must have been very young at the time, but I often wondered what happened to her, apparently she spends time in London according to Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Abicair


29 Sep 08 - 10:49 AM (#2452842)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST

PS she's also on the electoral roll from 2002-2007 on 192.com, search for Shirley Abicair - London


29 Sep 08 - 11:05 AM (#2452862)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST

I remember that movie with Shirley Abicair - she played the part of a teacher and was taking her class somewhere by train. That's all I can remember but she sang the folksong 'Bound for South Australia,' to her class; a curious choice of song for such a nice suburban girl.


30 Sep 08 - 08:34 AM (#2453679)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,Suffolk Miracle

The programme in which she was best known in UK was The Five O'clock Club (in those days children's programmes occurred only between 5 and 6 o'clock!) where she appeared with an ex skiffle player and occasional folksinger called Wally Whyton, a guitarist called Bert Weedon who sold millions of books all with titles like Learn To Play The Guitar In Two And A Half Hours, and two glove puppets called Pussycat Willum and Olly Beak. It constituted one of the few children's programmes with any kind of folk content, though much inferior to the wonderful Dance and Skylark which had the Spinners and Stan Hugill.


30 Sep 08 - 08:40 AM (#2453686)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Georgiansilver

I haveseen a couple of different spellings for Shirleys surname on here... and yet I remembered it as ABACAIR......    Not sure which one is right but I fed my version into google and came up with quite a bit of info. Best wishes, Mike.


30 Sep 08 - 08:45 AM (#2453692)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Georgiansilver

Picture of Shirley Abcacir/Abicair/Abicaire... on here.


30 Sep 08 - 10:05 AM (#2453763)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: fat B****rd

I read somewhere that Davy Graham accompanied Miss Abicaire at some time. Sorry can't remember any more details.


30 Sep 08 - 05:52 PM (#2454215)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: Rog Peek

I remember Shirly Abicair, she was very nice, but my big crush at the tender age of twelve (1958) was on Petula Clarke.

Rog


01 Oct 08 - 07:31 AM (#2454615)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: fat B****rd

Oh Alright. I was in love with Ruby Murray whem I was about 8.


17 Dec 18 - 01:20 PM (#3966838)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST,wardrobe dave

Think it was 1962 the BBC broadcast a Shirley Abicaire show on the radio with her backed by Alexis Korner   I had this on reel to reel for many years
The version of Willy The Weeper sticks in my memory
Wonder if anyone in Bournemouth has my old tape   Must have lost it in about 1980


19 Dec 18 - 06:33 AM (#3967205)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: John MacKenzie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4eTRU9YfJM&index=4&list=RDTPbHC4fiKzg


19 Dec 18 - 08:51 AM (#3967237)
Subject: RE: Help: Shirley Abicaire
From: GUEST

Little Boy Fishing Off A Wooden Pier - Shirley Abicair