BLACKPOOL REPORT - METROPOLE HOTEL, 13 - 15 FEBRUARY 2009 Written by Margaret Dewick

We gathered in the Promenade Suite of the Metropole Hotel on the Friday afternoon for welcome drinks with Jean and Albie Wycherley, Colin Paul and the Persuaders, the new DJ 'Nutty' Neil Williams and video projectionist Phil 'Shaky' Shakespeare. DVD footage was showing on a big screen for most of the weekend courtesy of Shaky. The new DJ Neil is just fantastic! A real Billy fan, enthusiastic, and he really loves his job and knows his music.

Colin and the band gave is a wonderful 'Billy Hour' singing lots of the songs we know and love from Billy, such as Wondrous Place, Like I've Never Been Gone, I Will, Don't Knock Upon My Door, Maybe Tomorrow, Collette, and for the first time wowed us with Jealousy which was amazing! Neil came on stage to spin some discs while Billy appeared on the screen.

After the evening meal we were treated again to Neil's discs and Colin and the band played another terrific set before Garry Slade took the stage and he opened with a great rock'n'roll set. He was in great voice and belted out great stuff like A Little Too Much, Kissin' Cousins, Marie Marie, Tomorrow's Clown, plus a tribute to Buddy Holly to mark the 50th anniversary of his death. He paid a tribute to Billy by singing Gonna Type a Letter, Bumble Bee, Don't Jump, A King For Tonight and Where Do You Run. Great Garry, thanks for coming.

Colin and the Persuaders gave us another great set including their version of Secret Love, Jezebel, a Johnny Cash tribute and songs by Elvis, Bill Haley and Jerry Lee Lewis. He continued with a selection of Billy numbers ending with Halfway to Paradise and invited an unsuspecting Jean to sing it with him! She sang beautifully and received a well deserved standing ovation. DJ Neil then took us into the early hours of the morning.

A raffle in aid of The Fans of Billy Fury Music Awards was held during the evening and it was nice to see Diane Wardle back with us as she was in hospital when we were there in November. Mo Cooper also had her rock'n'roll gear stall open with some lovely new garments and jewellery. Colin devised another quiz and entry forms were handed out.

On the Saturday morning the Billy Fury In Thoughts of You fan club had our merchandise stall set up with new t-shirts and sweatshirts to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Billy's first disc Maybe Tomorrow. These sold well especially the sweats as it was cold outside. Other merchandise included the newly released Billy CD, Classics and Collectables. We also displayed our new Billy picture stands which replace the old ones. (see pic)

Sarahlea held her usual jive class in the ballroom and there were plenty of learners. The afternoon was free for everyone to do their own thing.

After dinner we packed into the Metropole Suite again for the evening's entertainment. Neil welcomed us back and Colin and the band gave us another rockin' performance including a wonderful rendition of Somewhere and the ever popular Hurt.

Gerry Sandon came on stage with his guitar and sang Hello Mary Lou, I'm Telling You Now, The Night Has 1000 Eyes, Up On The Roof and a tremendous guitar solo on Apache and FBI, as well as a Buddy Holly tribute with Heartbeat, Rave On and That'll Be The Day. He finished with Halfway to Paradise as his tribute to Billy. A great entertainer.

Albie took to the stage to thunderous applause and sang Last Night Was Made For Love, Like I've Never Been Gone, Once Upon a Dream, A Thousand Stars, My Babe, Maybe Tomorrow, When Will You Say I Love You, I Will, In Thoughts Of You, I'd Never Find Another You, Jealousy and his own lovely Helpless. He finished with Halfway to Paradise and brought his mum up on stage and they sang it together. Everyone crowded round the stage and gave them both a standing ovation which was richly deserved.

Another raffle was held by Mrs Roth and Diane for the music awards. 'Nutty' Neil again played discs into the small hours of Sunday

On Sunday morning the BFITOY merchandise table was set up again as was Mo Cooper's gear stall.

Prizes were awarded for the jive competition by Sarahlea, and Colin Paul gave two prizes for the Billy quiz to Pat (Young), Karen and Sam, known as Generation 3, and to Jill and Gail Cain. Mo Cooper gave Mrs Roth a donation from her rock'n'roll gear stall to go towards the music awards.

Jean held her usual Sunday morning raffle in aid of the charities she supports, the British Heart Foundation, Mersey Kidney Research and Nobody's Child.

The Fans of Billy Fury Music Awards were presented by Jean Wycherley. During Friday and Saturday nights Mrs Roth and Diane sell raffle tickets and the proceeds go towards the awards. Three students from LIPA - the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts - were given a cheque for £500 each to help towards the cost of their music tuition. This year's awards went to Mike South, Natalie McCool and Kirsten Sharp. Jean congratulated them all and asked them to tell us how they got to hear of Billy Fury. They said they had heard their parents' records and had seen Billy's statue at the Albert Dock and wanted to find out more about him.

Diane presented Jean and Albie with a lovely bouquet and thanked them for making the weekend special. Jean and Albie thanked us all for coming.

Several fans got up on stage to sing their favourite Billy songs. Chris Parsons sang I Will and I'll Show You and a young lady called Michelle sang It Must Be Him and Losing you (not Billy songs but she has a wonderful voice).

We all had a late lunch and agreed it had been a fantastic weekend and we're looking forward to the next one in November.

Thanks must go to Mrs June Roth and Diane Wardle for organising the weekend, Neil Williams and Phil Shakespeare for their fantastic DJ and video work, Colin Paul and the Persuaders, Garry Slade, Gerry Sandon and everyone who sang and played great music, not forgetting of course Albie Wycherley who must be the greateds Billy Fury tribute singer ever, and a star in his own right!! Last of all thanks to the Metropole Hotel for putting up with us!