Cov Kid’s success with a harmonica
PERHAPS the following may be of interest to your older readers.
When David Conway was at school in Coventry, he was in the model railway club which would meet at 3pm every Friday.
When David left school he worked in the model railway department of Barnaby’s (Midland Educational). Downstairs there was a toy department that also sold harmonicas. The manager each day would play a chromatic harmonica. He said: “If you purchase one, I will teach you the basics.” In a short time he could play chromatic runs and arpeggios.
At the Coventry Theatre he would launch variety shows and knew that he wanted to appear in variety. He never did an apprenticeship as a draughtsman but turned pro in 1957, and is still performing at 81.
David saw the Belgrade Theatre being built but has never played there, but on November 10 he will, at last, play the Belgrade with Anita Harris in Midday Variety.
He has of course played the Coventry Theatre three times, with Frankie Vaughan, Michael Holloway and in a seven-week Silver Jubilee show as one of the Three Monarchs.
David met his wife to be, Pauline, after leaving The Monarchs. David taught Pauline the chord bass harmonica, they have appeared with Morecambe and Wise, the Black and White Minstrels, and many top shows plus performing on the Continent and cruising. They have never stopped working.
David and Pauline have performed with Cliff Richard, Bob Monkhouse, Dick Emery, Danny La Rue, the Beverley Sisters, Des O’Connor, Max Bygraves, Bruce Forsyth, Dusty Springfield, Dickie Henderson, Ken Dodd... the list is endless. Pauline and David have been married for 49 years, Pauline no longer performs but comes along to make the tea.
Ernie Wise, who came to their house in Christchurch, once said: “Lovely house David, just think what you could have got if you had been a good act!”. David feels quite guilty to have done so well from playing a harmonica – I mean it’s not rocket science, it’s not difficult, well it’s not for me. The Coventry Kid has seen the world and got paid for it. He has been selling the act for 60 years and he’s still got it. David Conway Dorset