signature tune

[csh278]

What was Tony Blackburn's signature tune that had Arnold the dog barking during it ?

[andy-hughes]

It was a track called 'Beefeater' by John Dankworth, and they dubbed the frankly dreadful recording of a dog's bark over it.

Fun though.

[andy-hughes]

In fact, this was actually the first record played on Radio One, but isn't seen as such because it was used as an intro for Blackburn, rather than the stand-alone first single, 'Flowers In The Rain' by The Move.

Sadly for the band, eleven days later, they were sued for libel by thh then Prime Minister Harold Wilson who claimed he was libelled by a cartoon postcard inserted in the inititial pressing's sleeves, one of which was delivered to 10 Downing Street. The postcard showed a cartoon of Wilson with - as the media so delicately out it back in those gentler times - " ... a woman who is not his wife ... ".

Wilson won his case, and the royalties in perpetuity have been donated to charities nominated ny Wilson, the main beneficiaries being The Spastic Society, and Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The longevity of the recor's success means that payments are over �200,000 and rising.

All good news for the charities, not so god for composer Roy Wood who has lost out on a large portion of those royalties. even more galling is the fact that the postcard was the idea of manager Tony Secunda, and the band knew nothing about it!

[andy-hughes]

You'd think people would learn, but no.

The 'lady who was not his wife' was Wlson's secretary, Marcia Willaims, now Lady Falkender - and their relationship was the subject of much speculation at the time.

And indeed later. Only two years ago, BBC4 produced a play 'The Lavender List' which again hinted at impropriaty between Wilson and his secretary. Lady Falkander sued the BBC and won �75,000 damages in court.

I think the phrase 'leave it' applies here!

Secunda went on to manager T Rex and The Moody Blues, The Movev split into Wizard and ELO, and Roy Wood wanst the royalties to be paid to the Birmingham Children's Hospital, but the late PM's lawyers remain unmoved by his wishes.

[Postdog]

Andy, what breed was the dog then?

(don't worry I'm only kidding ;) )