‘Truly magical moment’ for Sir Gareth and Lady Maureen
HE’S the scorer of some of the greatest tries in rugby history – but how many of you knew that Sir Gareth Edwards once recorded a hit single?
Sir Gareth was at the height of his rugby fame in 1972 when he recorded a single which stood in the No.1 spot in the Welsh-language charts for 12 weeks.
Since then, his wife Lady Maureen has harboured a desire to sing a duet with her husband. And now weatherman and presenter Owain Wyn Evans has made her wish come true.
Owain has a new chat show being broadcast on Friday nights on S4C, called Siop Siarad Owain (Owain’s Talking Shop).
The latest edition is available on demand on S4C Clic, iPlayer and other platforms. f
It features Sir Gareth and a Lady Maureen singing i Wyt ti weithiau? (Did you y ever?). Back in 1972, Gareth Edwards recorded the single, pictured left, with Rhayader soprano Maralene Powell.
The Welsh cover of the Nancy Sinatra hit was No.1 in the Welsh-language charts for 12 weeks – a feat that not even Max Boyce has achieved. Sir
Gareth takes great pride in the record, and the song became popular for couples to sing during the 1970s.
His wife Lady Maureen has always harboured a desire to sing the song with her husband.
She said she was “never asked” to sing with him at the time.
Only a few copies remain of the original vinyl recording with Maralene Powell, but there is a digital recording in the National Museum of Wales.
For the chat show, a special arrangement was prepared by musician Steffan Rhys Williams.
Alun Horan, producer of Siop Siarad Owain, explained: “We were so glad that we persuaded Gareth and Maureen to sing the song. It took a few takes, but the duet got better and better and they really got into the swing of it. With Owain Wyn Evans on the drums, it was a truly magical moment.”
Sir Gareth and Lady Maureen will celebrate 50 years of marriage later this year.