1956 - A year in the life of.........

[Sandy]

When I was young I collected a huge amount of press cuttings about Ruby which I kept in scrapbooks. Ruby had them for a while for reference when her biography was being written. I still have them today.
Gerald asked me if there were any events from 1956 which might be useful for the site so I started making notes and then realized that they needed further explanation. The result is "A year in the life of....". which Gerald has uploaded for me to the Stories Library.
The whole composition is in the words of the press reports. I have not changed or added any opinions of my own, my only alteration has been to change tense on occasion to make an item more presentable. Fortunately in my teens I was pretty dedicated to the dating of my collection so I was able to be fairly accurate with the chronology. I cannot vouch for the voracity of all the reports in the press though!
Anyhow I guess it will evoke many memories for most of you so I do hope you enjoy it.

[Jk]

Hi Sandy, thanks for sharing that wonderful story with us. Oh how that brought some memories back, I particularly remember the interview with Norman Wisdom, I remember it was a very small dressing Room, and I think Ruby had her arm round Norman. I also went to that show.

The article on the TV shows, I remember one that Ruby & Tommy Steele was in, is that ont of the shows mentioned?

[Sandy]

Glad you enjoyed it! I didn't find any reference to Ruby & Tommy Steele in the 1956 cuttings but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. Mind you, I don't think I missed much in those days. My friends at school were instructed to bring me all references from their own newspapers - and they did in astonishing numbers and without bribery!

[Bernie Burgess]

Hello Sandy, Hello John,

'The Tommy Steele Story' appearance came after we were married in 1957, so it must have taken place in either 58/59/60.
I remember that Tommy was so hectically engaged with so many things at the time of the television show he was unable to attend all the rehearsals. So that Ruby could rehearse her song and dance routine without Tommy being present, the producer taught me Tommy's part of the routine which enabled Ruby to rehearse with me until Tommy could get to rehearsals.

I also remember that I was very much impressed with Tommy's ability to learn quickly and I only needed to run through the routine with him a couple of times and Tommy had got it perfectly.

Lovely memories. Adios Amigos. Bernie.

[rbl.ca]

Hello, Sandy.
Are any of your press clippings about Ruby early enough (1948-1953) to include any mention of my friend Jimmy McGarry (stage name LARRY PETERS)?
If you have some, please send me an email. Perhaps you could tell me what they say about Larry, if anything.

Best wishes for a Happy 2006.
Ralph

[Sandy]

Sorry Ralph
It not a name that has cropped up in any of my cuttings.
Sandy