Do you have discs by Dudley-born star of the stage?
TIPTON Library wil lbe hosting former MP Adrian Bailey on the morning of Saturday July 9, when he will be waxing lyrical on one of his great passions – the gramophone.
He will be bringing along a few examples of his favourite antique record players and a collection of records – he may well be taking requests, but Adrian also has one of his own that he would like to put out to Bugle readers.
As a big fan of Dudley-born singer and stage actor Clarkson Rose, Adrian is always on the lookout for his records, but doesn’t have many. Are there any out there, still surviving in the care of Rose’s fellow townsfolk?
“The presentation will include a record issued in 1923 by Clarkson Rose, who was hugely popular during the inter-war years,” Adrian told the Bugle. “He had a West End show and seaside company for the summer season. I am keen to find more to add to my collection, if there are any around.
“He was born Arthur C Rose in 1890 at ‘the Cedars’ in Ednam Road Dudley. His background was middle class, and his parents were scandalised by his fascination with the stage, doing everything they could to discourage him from going into the theatre.
“They wanted him to go into law or banking. But after failing to show any aptitude or interest in either, they had to come to terms with his career on the stage.
“He married early and was divorced shortly afterwards. He subsequently married Olive Fox and often starred with her in a double act known as ‘Fox and Rose’. He had his own seaside show, ‘Twinkle’, throughout the ’20s and ’30s, and starred in the 1935 Royal Command Performance.
“He is best known as a pantomime dame, and recorded over thirty songs, including ‘My little Austin 7’ and ‘Girls of the Old Brigade’.
“The one I will play at Tipton is ‘I Love Me’, but I would love to get more if any of your readers could help.”
If you can, please contact the Bugle and we will put you in touch with Adrian. Email gjones@black countrybugle.co.uk, or give us a call on 01384 880531.
Adrian’s gramophone talk, organised by the Friends of Tipton Library, is free and starts at 10.30am on Saturday July 9. The library is on Unity Walk, Owen St, Tipton.