DEC4

17/09/2024

It's a great thrill and privilege this episode to welcome multi-talented actor, writer and music artist, Andrew Mackintosh, who carved his own special niche in British television history as DS Alistair Greig, a key character in over 300 episodes of one of the most successful and influential television dramas of all time, The Bill.

But as we discover, there's so much more to his varied career, encompassing acting, music and writing. We learn about Andrew's current project, the hit fiction podcast, Letter from Helvetica, talk about his early life and how his professional journey in music and acting began, and he shares with us some of his creative influences.

We explore his continuing musical collaboration with Joe Dooley, and get to grips with some general acting and career matters, including authenticity in casting, accents, received pronunciation and the art of speech, and the mixed blessing of being in a long-running series. We also discuss opportunities for mature actors and, inspired by an unstoppable generation of rock and roll performers, if perceptions of age are evolving in a positive way within the arts and beyond.

Our companion webpage for this episode has some additional career details, images, links and recommendations for further reading, viewing and listening. Link in the comments below.

Special thanks to Oliver Crocker (The Bill Podcast) for making this episode possible.

Find us on SoundCloud, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. 😀

https://soundcloud.com/georgefairbrother/a-conversation-with-andrew-mackintosh

12/08/2024

Our leading contributor Gary Wells (Vintage Leisure) has been back in Memphis, and has posted a great multimedia presentation on his website, including details of his latest visit to Graceland and other important cultural sites. Lots of fascinating insights, travel tips, images and video to enjoy. 😀

https://soulrideblog.com/2024/08/10/elvis-world-walking-in-memphis/

In 2022, Gary recounted some earlier Memphis experiences in our podcast episode, From Memphis to Vegas: A Vintage Leisure Tour. Link to the audio in the comments below. 👍

My family and I first made the drive from Southern Ontario to Memphis, Tennessee in the summer of 2005 when my two sons were still quite young. The thing that really helped in making the decision t…

02/08/2024

Gainesville Band hard at work...👍🎸

Special thanks to these fine musicians for providing our original theme and incidental music...

28/06/2024

In this supplement to our episode on the Winter Dance Party tour, headlined by Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JP Richardson (the Big Bopper), our leading contributor, Gary Wells, (Vintage Leisure), joins us to discuss in more detail some of the friendships and professional relationships forged during the tour.

We examine the culpability of the promoters taking into account the context of the time, and learn that the Ritchie Valens biopic, La Bamba, might have been a very different movie if not for a notable intervention. We also look at how the tragedy shaped the future of JP Richardson’s family, and share some personal thoughts on the often forgotten fourth occupant of the plane; the young pilot, Roger Peterson.

Find this and the original episode, additional background, as well as detailed research notes and links to our sources, with some suggestions for further reference, at a dedicated page at our podcast website. Link in the comments below.

We're on all the usual podcast places. 😀

In this supplement to our episode on the Winter Dance Party tour, headlined by Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JP Richardson (the Big Bopper), our leading contributor, Gary Wells, joins us to discuss

01/06/2024

Actor and playwright Frank Williams passed away June 26th, 2022, just short of his 91st birthday. He is remembered with enormous fondness by generations of fans as Timothy Farthing, the perpetually exasperated Vicar in the BBC’s Dad’s Army, on television, radio, stage, and in two feature films separated by almost half a century.

This is a clip from our complete tribute episode which was released to coincide with the first anniversary of Frank Williams' passing. His friend, leading television historian, author, podcaster and publisher, Oliver Crocker The Bill Podcast, joined us to share some personal memories of this incredibly talented, generous and exceedingly kind gentleman.

In this clip we sample some very special audio of Mr Williams himself, reminiscing about the adventures and misadventures of a working actor as a film extra, on live television, and in Dad's Army. This was part of a longer segment on the original episode, courtesy of Oliver's personal archive.

Find the complete episode along with some additional background, images, research notes and links, at our podcast website (Link in comments).

Very special thanks to Oliver Crocker. Find us on all the usual podcasting platforms.😀

Actor and playwright Frank Williams passed away June 26th, 2022, just short of his 91st birthday. He is remembered with enormous fondness by generations of fans as Timothy Farthing, the perpetually ex

04/05/2024

In this sample audio clip from our podcast catalogue, our leading contributor, Gary Wells (Vintage Leisure), recalls a visit to Sun Studio, Memphis.

In the complete episode, available on our podcast website and the major platforms, we also visit the Stax Museum, Al Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle Church, Beale Street, and we explore Elvis Presley’s Graceland in detail, of which Gary says, “It’s a hundred percent worth it, and what you get is the feeling, the experience. Elvis worked, lived, operated here. This is his home. It really does add an intangible and a strong dimension to your pursuit of the man and his world.”

We then reconvene in Las Vegas to investigate a colourful history, from its early beginnings as a wild west desert railroad stopover, to its post-war glory years as the ultimate gambling and entertainment destination; epitomised by the Flamingo and the Sands, Bugsy Siegel, the Rat Pack, Elvis and the Showroom Internationale. We also seek out some undaunted traces of vintage Vegas, still to be discovered amongst the corporate splendour of the Bellagio and the MGM Grand.

Find the Soundcloud embed and some additional background, images and links at our podcast website: 😀
https://dec4podcast.com/2023/02/26/gary-wells-from-memphis-to-vegas-a-vintage-leisure-tour/

08/04/2024

In this episode we pay tribute to the last of Dad’s Army’s ‘Magnificent Seven’, Ian Lavender (Private Pike), who passed away on February 2nd, 2024, aged 77.

Leading UK television historian, publisher, author and podcaster, Oliver Crocker The Bill Podcast, joins us to share his thoughts on this very talented gentleman, and to recall his own memorable experience working with Ian Lavender on a segment for ITV’s This Morning.

Although Private Pike remains his most enduring and universally beloved creation, we also take a wider look at Ian Lavender’s remarkable career beyond Dad’s Army, encompassing television, radio, feature films and theatre.

There's more background, as well as images and links to further reading, viewing and listening, at this episode's webpage, see the link in the comments below.

Find us on Soundcloud, YouTube Podcasts, and all the usual places.😀

In this episode we pay tribute to the last of Dad’s Army’s ‘Magnificent Seven’, Ian Lavender (Private Pike), who passed away on February 2nd, 2024, aged 77. Leading UK television historian, publisher

23/02/2024

In this podcast episode our leading contributor, Gary Wells (Vintage Leisure), joins us to take an in-depth look at the Winter Dance Party tour of early 1959, and explore what led up to a critical midtour decision to charter a light plane for a late night, 300 mile flight from Mason City, Iowa, to Fargo, North Dakota. Around five miles northwest of Mason City Airport the plane crashed on private farmland, killing the pilot, Roger Peterson, along with his three passengers, touring musicians Buddy Holly, Jiles Perry ‘The Big Bopper’ Richardson, and Ritchie Valens.

Drawing primarily from personal, first-hand accounts in a variety of credible sources, we examine how the hopelessly mismanaged tour came together, the inhuman travel conditions in ageing, inadequately maintained buses crisscrossing the frozen Midwest; a joyous night in Iowa during which around 1500 teenagers - and many parents - packed Clear Lake's Surf Ballroom, and the terrible chain of events that immediately followed.

We also look beyond mythology and cliché, and examine the longer term consequences of the tragedy with our focus on those most directly affected.

There's additional background, as well as detailed research notes and links to our sources, with some suggestions for further reference, at this episode's page at our podcast website - link in the comments below.

Find us in all the usual podcast places - and a few others as well. 😀

In this episode our leading contributor, Gary Wells (https://soulrideblog.com/), joins us to take an in-depth look at the Winter Dance Party tour of early 1959, and explore what led up to a critical m

10/02/2024

Francesc Lopez's pioneering Elvis information website, elvisconcerts.com, celebrates 28 years online this month!

Last year we invited Francesc to be interviewed for our podcast series, he expressed a preference for a written Q and A, and we were happy to oblige.

We find out about the technical challenges Francesc faced during the internet’s formative years, and explore in detail some of the features that make this site an essential, trusted source, including concert stats and schedules, setlists, jumpsuit information, availability of official and unofficial sound and vision, a huge archive of press coverage of Elvis’ personal appearances, and much more. We ask a couple of ‘fans’ questions as well, and expand on a couple of Francesc’s thoughts and recommendations, with some additional context, background and links.

Huge thanks to Francesc for taking the time to answer a few questions, and for his tireless work in creating and maintaining one of the most informative, fact-based and accurate Elvis sites online, and one that has been visited many millions of times.

Congratulations and Happy 28th birthday. 🎂

https://dec4podcast.com/2023/07/21/francesc-lopez-podcast-supplement-founding-webmaster-of-pioneering-elvis-website-elvisconcerts-com/

Francesc Lopez is the founder and webmaster of the pioneering website, elvisconcerts.com. He very kindly agreed to a written interview about the incredible online project that he created during the…

10/01/2024

In this audio clip, only on YouTube Podcasts, we revisit our earlier episode, From Memphis to Vegas: A Vintage Leisure Tour, in which our leading contributor, Gary Wells (Vintage Leisure), takes us on an audio journey to some of the important cultural sites in Memphis and Las Vegas.

Here we recall Gary's visit to 1034 Audubon Drive (the Presley family's first home in Memphis), and to Sun Records. In the complete episode, available on our podcast website and the major platforms, we also visit the Stax Museum, Al Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle Church, Beale Street, and we explore Elvis Presley’s Graceland in detail, before finding out if any vintage Las Vegas remains intact.

The original episode included Gary's account of his visit to Graceland's Meditation Garden. This was recorded prior to the passing of Lisa Marie Presley. 🙏

The full episode is on the usual platforms, and our website (link in the comments) has some additional local information and background.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUo2HRs4Cao&t=5s

In this clip, we revisit our earlier podcast episode, From Memphis to Vegas: A Vintage Leisure Tour, in which our leading contributor, Gary Wells (https://so...

02/01/2024

In this clip compiled from our 2022 Beach Boys Book Club episode, with our leading contributor, Gary Wells (Vintage Leisure), we focus on Timothy White's wide-ranging 1994 biography, The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and the Southern California Experience. Gary explains what sets this apart as more than just a rock and roll bio, we discuss Timothy White's assessment of family patriarch Murry Wilson, and how, in the early 1960s, emerging artists in Southern California transformed the corporatised music scene.

In the original 62 minute episode, we expand a little on Timothy White's distinguished career as a music writer and industry advocate (he sadly passed away in 2002, aged just 50), and provide some additional context from other sources on the Wilson family dynamic...

Find us on Soundcloud, YouTube Podcasts, Spotify, Apple and all the usual places. (And a few unusual ones as well). 👍😀

More detail, background and some suggested additional reading and media at our podcast website. Links in the comments below.

In this clip compiled from our 2022 Beach Boys Book Club episode, with our leading contributor, Gary Wells (www.soulrideblog.com), we focus on Timothy White's wide-ranging 1994 biography, The Nearest

30/11/2023

In this episode, first published early this year, we reflect on a couple of important 50th anniversaries that occurred in 2023; Elvis’ pioneering satellite concert, Aloha From Hawaii, which was broadcast internationally in January of 1973, and the August release of one of the iconic movies of the 1970s, American Graffiti.

These were landmark moments in entertainment, but both faced potential disaster right up until the last moment. Aloha From Hawaii nearly collapsed due to catastrophic technical faults, while Universal Studios executives had major reservations about American Graffiti.

Our leading contributor Gary Wells joins us for some personal thoughts on American Graffiti at 50, and we revisit our previous segment on the movie which we recorded in 2021.

We also add to our three-part series on Aloha From Hawaii with some background on legendary Hawaiian music promoter and DJ, Tom Moffatt, and mark the sad passing of Gabe Baltazar Jnr, who played the perfect flute solo in American Trilogy.

Huge thanks to everyone who has listened, read, downloaded and shared our content this year, we appreciate your support very much indeed, and wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas, Holidays, and New Year. 🎁 😀

Very special thanks also to Gary Wells Vintage Leisure, Oliver Crocker The Bill Podcast, Detlef Wolff and Gainesville Band, Steve Collins TellMeWhere2Go, and Alistair McMillan - Voice Artist.

Find us on SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube Podcasts and more.

In this episode, we reflect on a couple of important 50th anniversaries in 2023; Elvis’ pioneering satellite concert, Aloha From Hawaii, which was broadcast internationally in January of 1973, and the

26/10/2023

In this podcast episode, we present clips sampled from our conversation with Australian radio legend, Steve Collins, Once Upon a Time in Sydney, in which Steve took us on a nostalgic, personal journey through the intense Sydney music scene of the 1970s. (Link to the original complete episode's webpage in the comments).

As well as his studio work for pioneering rock radio station 2JJ, Steve was at the heart of an incredible era of authentic, in-your-face live music, working at iconic venues – sound and lighting at Revesby Workers Club and security at Hordern Pavilion – and mixing with era-defining Australian and international artists.

In this brief sample, Steve tells how he scientifically established that Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs were the loudest band of all, remembers the night Chuck Berry played the Revesby Workers Club, and meeting an incredible Chicago blues outfit, Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers. He also recalls the thrill of sitting in at a recording session with one of the most influential musicians in the formative years of rock and roll, Alexis Korner.

Find us on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Audible and quite a few places we don't even realise...😀

In this latest episode, we present clips sampled from our conversation with Australian radio legend, Steve Collins, Once Upon a Time in Sydney, in which Steve took us on a nostalgic, personal journey

07/10/2023

Our leading contributor, Gary Wells (Vintage Leisure), joins us for this podcast episode to take a close look at Elvis' concert at the St Paul (MN) Civic Centre on April 30th, 1977, which was the subject of a devastating review in the St Paul Pioneer Press. We discover that many claims in the article are open to question, and it's an interesting chapter in the saga of Elvis and Colonel Parker's relationship, or deliberate lack thereof, with local press while on tour.

In a pre-internet and social media age, with no other available context or information, these reviews tended to be taken at face value, many have been quoted as authoritative sources in subsequent biographies and have, for better or worse, become the definitive account. We consider whether or not it was Colonel Parker's own policy of keeping the press at arm's length that left them open to misrepresentation and misunderstanding.

Gary gives us his thoughts on the show based on an unofficial recording (available on our podcast website) and we then look in detail at the Pioneer Press review. We also examine some other unwelcome publicity surrounding Elvis and the Colonel around this time.

We're delighted that supremely talented voiceover artist, Alistair McMillan (Alistair McMillan - Voice Artist) has joined us to read some of the background information.

In our post-credits segment right at the end, we revisit our earlier episode, From Memphis to Vegas: A Vintage Leisure Tour, in which Gary takes us on an audio journey to some of the important cultural sites in Memphis. In this clip we recall Gary's visit to 1034 Audubon Drive (the Presley family's first home in Memphis), and to Sun Records.

Our leading contributor, Gary Wells (www.soulrideblog.com) joins us this episode to take a close look at Elvis' concert at the St Paul Civic Centre on April 30th, 1977, which was the subject of a deva

13/08/2023

In this latest post on our podcast website, Francesc Lopez, founder and webmaster of the pioneering Elvis information site, elvisconcerts.com, talks to us about this incredible online resource he created nearly thirty years ago, and has been developing and improving ever since. Francesc’s preference was for a written Q and A rather than a podcast interview, and we were happy to oblige.

What sets elvisconcerts.com apart as something unique and special, is that it is a repository for everything you need to know about Elvis’ life as a professional, touring entertainer from the 1950s to the 70s. There is also a comprehensive database with a convenient search function so that you can explore an extensive library of information by multiple criteria.

We find out about the technical challenges Francesc faced during the internet’s formative years, and explore in detail some of the features that make this site an essential, trusted source, including concert stats and schedules, setlists, jumpsuit information, availability of official and unofficial sound and vision, a huge archive of press coverage of Elvis’ personal appearances, and much more. We ask a couple of ‘fans’ questions as well, and expand on a couple of Francesc’s thoughts and recommendations, with some additional context, background and links.

Huge thanks to Francesc for taking the time to answer a few questions, and for his tireless work in creating and maintaining one of the most informative, fact-based and accurate Elvis sites online, and one that has been visited many millions of times.

https://dec4podcast.com/2023/07/21/francesc-lopez-podcast-supplement-founding-webmaster-of-pioneering-elvis-website-elvisconcerts-com/

Francesc Lopez is the founder and webmaster of the pioneering website, elvisconcerts.com. He very kindly agreed to a written interview about the incredible online project that he created during the…

05/08/2023

Our latest podcast episode features leading author and television historian, Oliver Crocker, The Bill Podcast, sharing a special, personal tribute to actor and playwright, Frank Williams, who passed away June 26th, 2022, aged 90.

Frank Williams is of course remembered with enormous affection by generations of Dad's Army fans, but thanks to Oliver, we also learn about his early career on stage, in live television drama and comedy, and in feature films. Oliver generously gifted us some audio of Mr Williams himself, sharing some of his own recollections of life as a working actor, and a real life role on the General Synod of the Church of England.

As a young actor and cinema buff, Frank Williams was keen to appear in the movies, and secured work as an extra in some major productions being shot in Britain, including on the MGM epic, Ivanhoe (1952), which starred Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor and Joan Fontaine.

He enjoyed being part of this unique community of background artists;

“…It was quite extraordinary, really…most marvellous set of people, a real cross-section of everybody from old Etonians to people who had just been let out of prison…it was a fascinating group of people, a wonderful group of people…”

Join us to hear more from Frank Williams himself, along with Oliver's personal tribute and one or two of our favourite Vicar moments in Dad's Army. Listen on our website, dec4podcast.com, or find us on Soundcloud, Spotify, Amazon Music and more.

https://dec4podcast.com/2023/06/26/oliver-crocker-remembering-frank-williams/

Oliver Crocker is one of Britain’s leading and most respected authors, historians, podcasters and publishers on classic British television, whose work on iconic productions like The Bill and All Cr…

29/07/2023

In this podcast episode, compiled earlier this year, we reflect on a couple of important 50th anniversaries in 2023; The August 1973 premiere of one of the iconic movies of the 1970s, American Graffiti, as well as Elvis’ pioneering satellite concert, Aloha From Hawaii, which was broadcast internationally in January.

These were landmark moments in entertainment, but both faced potential disaster right up until the last moment. Universal Studios executives had major reservations about releasing American Graffiti, while Aloha From Hawaii nearly collapsed due to catastrophic technical faults.

Our regular contributor Gary Wells (www.soulrideblog.com) has written extensively on American Graffiti, and joins us for some personal thoughts on the 50th anniversary, and a discussion on some production background and favourite moments.

We also add to our earlier three-part series on Aloha From Hawaii with some detail on legendary Hawaiian music promoter and DJ, Tom Moffatt, and note his unique place in Elvis History, and in furthering Elvis’ relationship with Hawaii. We also mark the sad passing of Gabe Baltazar Jnr, who as part of the Aloha From Hawaii orchestra, played the perfect flute solo in American Trilogy.

Find us on the major platforms, including Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple, Amazon and more. 😃

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/syqhbH4hPBb

In this episode, we reflect on a couple of important 50th anniversaries in 2023; Elvis’ pioneering satellite concert, Aloha From Hawaii, which was broadcast internationally in January of 1973, and the August release of one of the iconic movies of the 1970s, American Graffiti, both of which we’ve...

26/06/2023

Oliver Crocker (The Bill Podcast) is one of Britain’s leading and most respected authors, historians, podcasters and publishers on classic British television, whose work on iconic productions like The Bill and All Creatures Great and Small is valued and appreciated as much by the creators as by the fans. He has put together something very special for us this episode, as we remember actor and playwright, Frank Williams, who passed away June 26th, 2022, just short of his 91st birthday.

Frank Williams is remembered with enormous fondness by generations of fans as Timothy Farthing, the perpetually exasperated Vicar in the BBC’s Dad’s Army; on television, radio, stage, and in two feature films separated by almost half a century. Victoria Wood once described Dad’s Army as ‘the most affectionately regarded comedy programme in the history of television’, and Frank Williams made his own unique contribution to that universal love for the programme in all its forms, the characters, and the actors who brought them to life.

Oliver joins us to share some personal memories of this incredibly talented, generous and exceedingly kind gentleman, and has also gifted us some very special audio from his own personal archive, of Mr Williams himself, reminiscing about the adventures and misadventures of a working actor from his earliest theatre and film roles, to pioneering and undoubtedly terrifying live-to-air television drama and, of course, Dad’s Army. We also learn about his real life role with the General Synod of the Church of England, and his final, emotional onstage appearance in the West End in 2021, celebrating his 90th birthday.

Stream free on Soundcloud, Spotify, Amazon Music and more. 😀

Oliver Crocker is one of Britain’s leading and most respected authors, historians, podcasters and publishers on classic British television, whose work on iconic productions like The Bill and All Creat

24/06/2023

22/06/2023

Letter from Helvetica is an 8-part fiction podcast, taking a humorous look at civilisation through the eyes of Abby, a talented biologist on a research mission in Vanuatu; and her Uncle John, a retire

17/06/2023

🎧 Its time for PART 2 of Natalie Roles' fabulous Beth Cordingly 👮‍♀️ interview! The talented pair chat presenting, awkward encounters, fitness & which star loved Out NOW Spotify 🚔 https://open.spotify.com/show/1VShSqFzXWbmdrYwsKO7D0 Sponsors George Fairbrother Saturday Morning Press Books 📖🙏

08/06/2023

Very grateful to these talented legends for their support of our Podcast series.

03/06/2023

La Bamba (1987) Starring Esai Morales, Lou Diamond Phillips, Rosanna DeSoto, Danielle von Zerneck, Elizabeth Peña, Joe Pantoliano, Rick Dees and Brian Setzer. Directed by Luis Valdez. From Columbia…

02/06/2023

Met up with these two legends today for some Letter from Helvetica publicity! Thank you all for your support 😊 🙏 ❤ 🙌

30/05/2023

Letter from Helvetica is a scripted audio series written by and starring Andrew Mackintosh and also starring Natalie Roles. Between them, these two hugely talented artists were in over 500 episodes of the legendary ITV police drama, The Bill. The producer is Oliver Crocker, one of Britain’s leading authors, podcasters and historians on classic British television.

"...The series follows the adventures of Abigail Wesley, a talented young botanist who is spending a year on the ever-so-slightly-made-up island of Burbango in the island nation of Vanuatu in the South Pacific, and her Uncle John, an acerbic retired Lieutenant Colonel who lives in the not-quite-real village of Helvetica in Cornwall..."

If you love audio content in the tradition of some of the great BBC radio dramas and comedies, Letter from Helvetica is thoroughly recommended. It's been getting some great reviews, and you can listen free on the major podcasting platforms including Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple, Soundcloud and more.

You can also now catch Natalie Roles hosting The Bill Podcast which has over 100 episodes in the catalogue, including cast and crew interviews, tributes and reunions. The Bill Podcast has been played over 350 000 times and is in the top 1.5 % of podcasts globally.

Proudly co-sponsored by DEC4, George Fairbrother and the Armstrong and Burton Series. 😀

Letter from Helvetica is a humorous ‘epistolary’ dramatised podcast, taking the form of emails exchanged between Abigail Wesley, a talented young botanist from Surrey, and her Uncle John, an acerbic r