Simon Bell talks about the countdown to
DUSTY DAY 2010
Simon Bell continues to enjoy a successful career as a solo singer, as well as touring with the James Last Orchestra.
He is best known to fans of Dusty as her friend and backing vocalist, one of the small group (which also included Dusty’s good friend and Secretary, Pat Rhodes) who looked after Dusty in her final days.
Now, he continues to cherish the memory and the music of Dusty by arranging the annual DUSTY DAY - the biggest and most wonderful event in the Dusty calendar, and an event which every Dusty fan should attend. There is nothing else like it.
But arranging such a thing is a labour of love, as Simon relates here in this interview with Nancy J Young.
Up to the minute news about DUSTY DAY can be found at Simon’s excellent site, DUSTY DEVOTEDLY.
How are the ticket sales going this year?
After a couple of slow months, sales have picked up in the last two weeks.
Thinking of all the Dusty Days you have participated in over the years, can you share with us a few of your favourite memories?
I can remember singing at fan conventions even before Dusty Days. On one occasion Dusty and I sang together (“Get Ready” and “What Have I Done To Deserve This?”). I think my favourite memory from the actual Dusty Days is of watching Kay Garner sing “I Only Want to Laugh” so bravely, knowing that we were unlikely to see her there again.
Is it true that the pub has changed ownership? As this is your neighbourhood establishment, can you tell us how it’s different from before?
Yes, Finnegan's Wake has changed ownership again, and may even have a name change (to ‘The Grove’) just before Dusty Day. The new owners want it to be a music venue rather than a sports bar, as it was before. It's now a relaxing place to be during the day, really coming to life on the live music nights. The new owners are more enthusiastic about Dusty Day than the last guys (who were temporary). Their weekly pub quiz will take place after Dusty Day, at 8pm. If the rolling jackpot isn't won, it will be donated to Dusty Day.
Will they be serving food throughout the day and are there any menu items to look forward to?
Yes they will be serving food. The menu is another thing that's about to change so that will be a surprise even for me!
I’ve heard there may some changes in the setup at the venue. Will there be additional seating or other changes?
I want to get as much seating as possible into the performance room but ultimately that will be governed by the final numbers. I hate to turn fans away from Dusty Day. More seating means fewer numbers. I'm told though, that the performances will be seen on the TV screens in other parts of the venue.
What kind of backing music will be provided, since Jonathan will not be playing this year?
Jonathan will be playing at Dusty Day. I just found out!
Fans always enjoy you, Katy and Madeline singing together. Any new numbers planned for this year? Old favourites?
The sets are not planned yet, but I think that we may not be performing together. Katy has a commitment that night & has to leave us by 3pm, so she will sing then. Julie Felix also has a show to do and will perform earlier than Katy.
Will there be a Q&A this year with any special guests?
Yes. Former members of The Echoes will be there and those who played with Dusty will answer questions from the floor. I'm also hoping that Riss Chantelle from The Lana Sisters will be there.
The auction is always a highlight of the day. How will it be conducted this year?
This year’s auction is going to be well organised. It will be conducted by Stewart Lilley who helped us last year. Everyone will receive a "catalogue" of the auction items on arrival, each catalogue numbered. That will help us identify the buyers more easily.
Are there any special auction items fans should look forward to bidding on?
There is yet another leather jacket, but I think there could be great interest in some false eyelashes, actually worn by Dusty!
Can you us any more description of these items? When did Dusty wear/own the items?
The jacket is black (I haven't seen it) and Pat isn't sure what era it's from. We'll be able to judge when we see it.
Any other items to look forward to?
This year I was given some old slides of Dusty, some dating back to the 1960's. I'm having prints done of some of them which will be for sale.
Will there be a raffle this year, and if so, are you looking for donations, and do they need to be Dusty related?
If donations are forthcoming (Dusty related or otherwise) there will be a raffle.
Producing Dusty Day is surely a tremendous amount of work. How do you keep doing it year after year? What motivates you and keeps you going?
I think the reaction of the fans motivates me. Above all it's an opportunity for all of you to get together with friends who are normally only contacted via the Internet. The money raised for the Marsden is bound to decrease each year as there will be less memorabilia to auction, but I think the day would carry on even with no auction.
Do Pat Rhodes' offerings to the auction this year represent the last of her Dusty stash?
We already have a "stash" for next year.
Thank you Simon, for the interview, and for organising Dusty Day!
See you then.
For latest information, please see Simon’s DUSTY NEWS
