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http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=22-Jun-2012&lang=en&s=5800
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=22-Jun-2012&lang=en&s=5800
22-Jun-2012
The Alexander Brothers Retire, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
| Scottish folk music legends the Alexander Brothers have announced their retirement from showbusiness. Accordionist Tom, 77, and singer/pianist Jack, 76, have topped bills in theatres around the world since they turned professional in 1958. The video clip above was broadcast on TV circa 2007. Tom Alexander commented, “In showbusiness you are only as good as your last show and after 54 years we wanted to go out when we were still on top of our game. Jack has been ill lately and we have had to cancel gigs, which we hated doing, because it felt like we were letting down the fans. A couple of weeks ago we had to cancel a performance at a show marking the actor Johnny Beattie’s diamond jubilee – 60 years in showbiz – that was definitely one of the things that made me think it was time. People had started asking us if we were a tribute act to ourselves! I suppose that is a compliment in a way but you have to think, maybe, it is a sign it’s time to slow down and enjoy life”. The Alexander Brothers were such good record sellers that at one point in 1964 they even outsold the Beatles in Scotland when their single ‘Nobody’s Child’ topped the charts. Other big hits included ‘These are My Mountains’ and ‘The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen’. Jack says, “There are so many fantastic memories from our careers – getting an MBE from the Queen in 2005 at Holyrood Palace was unforgettable, as was playing at the Sydney Opera House with Jimmy Shand. I’ll never say never, though. If I’m feeling a bit better at some point in the future, maybe we will do another show. For now, however, my main hope is that I can get back on the golf course over the summer”. Jack and Tom grew up in Cambusnethan, near Wishaw, Lanarkshire, where they learned to perform at family ceilidhs around the piano. Tom started to learn the accordion at the age of 9 and in 1952 won the Classical Open Solo at the NAO Championships in Glasgow. Jack started piano studies at 11 and within six years had several diplomas to his name. On leaving school they entered dozens of talent shows, while also training in painting and decorating as their father Jimmy wanted them to have a trade to fall back on. He introduced them to songwriter Tony Hatch, who took them to London and recording fame. They had their own TV series for many years and appeared on the ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium’ TV show, co-starring with Dame Shirley Bassey. |
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