KEY WORKERS

FANCY A SINGALONG AROUND THE PIANO ON THESE COLD, DARK NIGHTS? MARION McMULLEN LOOKS BACK AT SOME STAR PLAYERS

1977

THE Who’s drummer Keith Moon, right, shared the keys with Government Sports Minister Denis Howell at a reception at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane to launch a new record

called Supertracks.

1972

HITTING all the wrong notes was the right move for comedian Les Dawson, pictured with his mother-in-law Ada Plant. Contrary to his out-of-tune comedy routine, the Blankety Blank host was actually a talented pianist.

1982

SNOOKER champ Steve Davis had plenty to sing and play about. He is pictured at a reception in London after it was suggested his snooker skills could make him a millionaire. Steve took piano lessons in the 80s and played Lean On Me on Leo Sayer’s TV show.

1950

FUTURE prime minister Margaret Thatcher was just a Conservative candidate known as Margaret

Roberts when she accompanied four voters on the piano in a singsong after a brief political debate in the bar of The Bull Inn, Dartford. She first started playing piano at school and chose

Piano Concerto Beethoven’s No 5 in E Flat Major as one of her favourite tracks when she appeared on BBC radio show Desert Island Discs.

1975

A YEAR before his infamous TV encounter with chat show host Michael Parkinson, Rod Hull and Emu were snapped practising piano scales with actress Georgina Moon (Sleeping Beauty) during panto rehearsals in Liverpool.

1974

BOXING champ Muhammad Ali could not resist knocking out a tune during a visit to London’s Albert Hall.

1964

ALL-ROUND entertainer Sir Bruce Forsyth was all for a family singalong. He said: “Once you experience the warmth of an audience, the achievement of getting your first laugh, and entertaining them, singing or playing piano, it just keeps it all going.”

1974

ENCORE! Coronation Street actress Barbara Knox first appeared as Rita Littlewood for one episode of the ITV soap in 1964, but was back again in 1972 as Rita Bates to become a series regular. She is now the second-longest serving member of Corrie behind William Roache who plays Ken Barlow.

1971

CONDUCTOR and composer Andre Previn is still fondly remembered for trying to conduct Eric Morecambe’s piano playing on the Morecambe And Wise Christmas Show. He fared much better when he joined his actress wife Mia Farrow at the London Music Club, Holland Park.