Billy's Birthday Weekends

This year Billy's birthday was on the weekend of the 15th, 16th and 17th of April and what a weekend it was Two full shows at the Floral Pavilion Theatre in New Brighton interviews with many of the stars associated with Billy in the sixties and of course the annual meeting at Billy's statue in The Museum of Liverpool Life.

Below is an account of the full weekend . If anyone has ant decent pictures of the wekend and wouldn't mind them being used please let us know through the guestbook on this site. Remember to fill in your e mail address and we will get back to you. The pictures on this page to date have been kindly donated by Mags Cummings and Vilma Kinney, Trish and Dave Clarke and Cathy Homan.

The show was very good The Ivy League, The Mojos, Chas Mcdevitt plus 3 Cool Cats who did Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent Tribute and the wonderful PJ Proby whom i met in the 60,s in Luton,the man with a big voice..BUT our favourite had to be Ray with his gorgeous suit and beautiful voice , for me he was the best .

After the show we chatted to friends and waited for the rain to ease before we walked across the road to the after show party at Fort Perch Rock , we arrived freezing cold and wet but it was great to see Albie and Jean being their usual friendly selves mingling with fans and friends.

Saturday morning my friend Marie from the Billy m.b. came to our Hotel , we got a taxi into town for some breakfast as we had missed breakfast at the hotel. We did some window shopping and got a taxi back to get ready for The Jason Eddie show.

Frankie Connor

We all took our seats just in time . the opening spot went to Steve Cutlass and the Buccaneers performing a tribute to Johnny Kidd and the Pirates a band i again saw in the 60's a good start to an evening of memories. next was Mike Berry who i have to say never looked any older or different to all those years ago, Mike did some Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Lonnie Donegan songs .. great. .. Interval time we met up with some old and new friends , not long to chat though as the REAL SHOW was about to start..

The Great Jason Eddie ( Albie) entered the stage "wow" in his black leathers he looked tremendous and what a fantastic stage presence ..we all cheered and waved our flags , the stage looked spectacular with a string and brass section , The Persuaders and 2 beautiful girls in gorgous dresses with little chiffon neck scarves and of course Ray with his lovely stage presence and that great suit, the whole stage was amazing , much more than any other stage show i had ever seen . PERFECT.

Jason opened up with Last Night Was Made For Love and carried on just singing and singing all the hits and many of the B sides too we were all just loving it , people were dancing in the aisles and Sophie and i certainly were having the night of our life.

Jason sang 28 songs all Billy of course,I am astounded that he sings with such passion a great dedication to his brother .. "Our Billy".

Jason called his mam up on stage for Halfway to Paradise which Jean sings so sweetly. What an Outstanding performance by Jason and the whole crew and a standing ovation well deserved.. Thanks Jason.

Sunday morning up and a taxi to fort perch Rock again for what turned out to be another brilliant day , Dave chevron did an hour of Billy songs in his gold lame suit. Spencer Leigh did his interveiwing with Clem Cattini and Dave Sampson reminising about all the tricks and stunts they got up to with Billy and the other lads from the Larry Parnes times, they seemed to recall stories with such love for Billy and it was great to hear them fondly reminiscing.

But of course we had all been waiting for the interview with questions and answers with Jean and Albie, Jean answered all the questions thoroughly and with great pride for her son OUR BILLY. and Albie made us laugh on several occasions , all too quick the interview was over as we had to leave to go to the Statue to pay our respects to that one and only perfect gentle man.

Off in cars and motor bikes to find the tunnel .. we arrived with the wind blowing and the rain.. Albie and Jean arrived in a limo with lots of motor bikes. Inside the courtyard where Billy's statue stands were lots of lovely people paying their respects to Britain's best Rock n Roller, people hugged and flowers were placed on Billy's statue and we sang Happy birthday to that WONDERFUL man OUR BILLY. There were t.v. camera's interviewing Albie and Jean

and then off to a small room within the museum for the presentation of a new Rose named Billy which was presented to Jean and Albie with a framed picture on how it will look when it flowers , orders were taken and i ordered two ,which will be available in the Autumn.

Albie gave a short speech then it was off to Lime Street station for our journey back, Sophie and i sat at the station with a burger king reminiscing about the whole weekend and how tremendous it had been, our favourite part being Albie's 28 song marathon of course. Then on the train and away back south for home... Waiting for the next one now xxx