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Selby Times Ed’s desert island disc for dad
Selby Times editor Chris Page with a pint of Harry's Hops and Glory.
SELBY Times editor is involved in a special radio show to mark Desert Island Discs 70th anniversary.
Chris Page’s Steve Harley Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) submission is among Your Desert Island Discs choices included in BBC celebrations.
One war-torn night Roy Plomley awoke with the bright idea of launching a series of programmes in which famous people imagined they were castaways.
Celebrities were invited to choose music, a luxury and book to keep them company. January 29 1942 saw the first show broadcast.
From an initial commission of eight programmes, the ever-popular series has become a national institution.
Famous sons and daughters from the region cast adrift on the imaginary island number Archbishop John Sentamu, composer John Barry, actors Judi Dench and Penelope Wilton.
But it’s local folk, rather than such luminaries, spotlighted for platinum birthday inclusion. They’re invited to submit their story and single piece of music to Radio 4’s website.
Producer Trisha Cooper from BBC Radio York is gathering all our area’s tales for the milestone show, hosted by Jonathan Cowap at noon on January 29.
“As part of the national celebrations, every BBC station in the country is broadcasting Your Desert Island Discs at the same time on the same day,” she explained.
“It’s quite unusual for the BBC to come together in this way unless there’s a big national event taking place”.
Trisha still welcomes submissions. “We all have a list of our favourite songs that maybe you’d like at a party, funeral or other event. But, on this occasion, I need just the one.
“And most of all that one song must illustrate a time, place or person in your life. It could be a joyous, tragic, deeply personal story or little snapshot that means a lot”.
Send your story now to www.bbc.co.uk/desertislanddiscs by clicking on Your Desert Island Discs link.
Trisha told Chris: “I love your story about your dad and Steve Harley - it’s nice and strong and will make a great contribution to the whole hour”.
The 52-year-old dad-of-one of The Waterfront in town this week talks through below recollection at a pre-recording, featuring the 1975 UK chart-topping track, five times reissued, he would save from the waves.
“Ever young at heart, dad accompanied me to many shows, most notably Steve Harley at York, when the sprightly septuagenarian was far and away oldest gig-goer there,” said Chris.
“Some time later a series of strokes struck. Debilitated, devastated, dad spent seemingly hours trying to speak what would be his last words.
“His ‘We’ve done it all’ death-bed take on Make Me Smile’s opening line summed up succinctly a best mate solid bond shared throughout our lives. His at an untimely end, the song seemed a natural epitaph.
“His funeral final farewell saw dad’s coffin leave the church, his beloved granddaughter Laura, family from as far afield as Germany, friends, carers all singing and swinging in unison.
“The aisles rocked and rolled to the (un)suitably upbeat song’s strains before specially-commissioned Harry’s Hops & Glory ale (pictured) toasted “blue eyes, blue eyes”.
“December saw the singer-songwriter and I return to the city. Gentleman Harry Page memories flooded back. Come the obvious encore, I came up to see Harley. Wiping away a tear, it did indeed make me smile. Again.”
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