Remembering Alan Randall

One of the better-known members of the George Formby Society, is international recording artist Alan Randall. Alan has been an honorary member of the Society for many years. Alan Randall is renowned for his musical expertise the world over. Not only is he recognised and acknowledged as the premier re-creator of George Formby music and singing, but he is also Britain’s foremost solo instrumentalist – a maestro of the vibraphone, ukulele and piano. During the last few years he has appeared in no less than seven shows for members of the Royal Family, including the ‘Royal Variety Show’ from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and shown on TV all over the world. An accomplished stage performer who has starred in countless summer seasons and pantomimes, Alan first performed a George Formby song on the stage of the famous Windmill Theatre in London and has since gone on to establish himself as the best exponent of Formby music anywhere in the world. Alan has recorded many of George’s best-known songs, written books on his life and even devised and written a musical play called ‘Turned Out Nice Again’ jointly with Vince Powell who wrote 'Love thy Neighbour', 'Nearest And Dearest' and many other TV comedy shows. Alan has also appeared with Perry Como and Liza Minelli in Las Vegas, and played in concerts with Sir Cliff Richard and The Rolling Stones. Add to this over 300 television appearances, 3,000 radio broadcasts and countless records, and it’s not hard to see why he enjoys a worldwide reputation for his musical skills. Alan also featured in the closing scene of the historic Beatles re-union video for their last hit single “Free As A Bird”. After George Formby had died, Alan played a major role in keeping George Formby's name alive with his concert appearances and recordings of the Formby songs. George's fiancée Pat Howson was a friend of Alan's and gave him many of George's personal possessions including his OBE medal and many of the unique test pressing recordings that George had been given at the time recorded were made. The collection of George Formby material is a unique treasure house of memories of the great man. Apart from the OBE medal, there are George Formby’s passports, many test pressings, photographs, personal items like a beautiful gold cigarette case presented to George and beryl on one of their tours of Canada. A comprehensive list of items with images can be found at The George Formby Memorabilia Collection. REVIEWS “The effervescent and ever-enthusiastic Alan Randall, he of the toothy grin and always acceptable line of George Formby impersonations. The other side of Alan Randall is also generously on display, the jazz musician who attacks the vibes with the cheerful ferocity of his hero Lionel Hampton, embellished with lavish showmanship which also extends to his excursions on piano and drums. He is the undoubted king of his rather specialised category of show business. Peter Hepple, The Editor, The Stage & Television Today. “Headliner Alan Randall I know only from his appearances during his George Formby impersonation. He still does this, but there is more than one string to this performer’s bow. He is a master jazz musician on the vibraphone and does a splendid medley of standards, including ‘How High the Moon’, ‘When I Fall In Love’ and ‘Over The Rainbow. He then progressed to the keyboard and drums and does a long routine jumping from one instrument to the other in a superb display of musicianship. Mind you, he looked exhausted at the end of the evening, but there is no escaping the talent of this extraordinary entertainer”. What’s On In London “Highlight of the evening was the multi-talented Alan Randall London Look Magazine “One man show on his own…” SouthErn Business Review “His voice and ukulele playing indistinguishable from the late George Formby. Went down a storm with the first night audiences. Excellent, absolutely amazing, brings a great deal of humour to his work. It is a privilege to be able to enjoy his star performance.” Windsor Express “One of the World’s best musical acts”. New Yorker Standing Ovation “Outstanding skill with his Vibraphone playing, which roused the audience of mainly American and Japanese visitors to enthusiastic applause, and drew them to their feet.” Daily Telegraph

Alan’s talent shone through

George’s biggest fan - and a star

Listen to the talent Alan Randall

by Peter Pollard April 2005 It is with great regret that I report on these pages of the death on Saturday 9th April 2005 of Alan Randall, honorary member of the GFS and international recording artist who has been a good friend of the George Formby Society for many years and has probably done more than anybody to promote the name of George Formby since George’s death in 1961. Alan played Formby’s songs and achieved the special “Formby sound” like no other performer. He appeared in Royal Variety performances and was a brilliant musician who loved to play jazz on the piano and vibraphone. Alan wrote a book on George Formby in 1974 together with Ray Seaton, and although it is now out of print, it has always been considered to be the definitive biography of Formby. Whilst writing the book Alan made contacted with Pat Howson, George’s fiancé when he died. She gave Alan her complete archive of George Formby’s collection of personal items which included George’s silver disc for “When I’m Cleaning Windows” and his OBE medal. Alan was closely connected with the Warrington exhibition of 1991 when his complete archive was put on display and over 35,000 people viewed the display over a three month period. Without Alan’s assistance this project would have been a non-starter. Even though Alan was a unique and highly talented entertainer in his own right he never failed to acknowledge the genius of George Formby and Alan had been a dedicated fan since his childhood days. On behalf of the committee and all the members of the George Formby Society I would like to express sincere condolences to Alan's family.

A Grand And Healthy Life

Pleasure Cruise

Mr Banjo Man

The Entertainer

One of the better-known members of the George Formby Society, is international recording artist Alan Randall. Alan has been an honorary member of the Society for many years. Alan Randall is renowned for his musical expertise the world over. Not only is he recognised and acknowledged as the premier re- creator of George Formby music and singing, but he is also Britain’s foremost solo instrumentalist – a maestro of the vibraphone, ukulele and piano. During the last few years he has appeared in no less than seven shows for members of the Royal Family, including the ‘Royal Variety Show’ from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and shown on TV all over the world. An accomplished stage performer who has starred in countless summer seasons and pantomimes, Alan first performed a George Formby song on the stage of the famous Windmill Theatre in London and has since gone on to establish himself as the best exponent of Formby music anywhere in the world. Alan has recorded many of George’s best-known songs, written books on his life and even devised and written a musical play called ‘Turned Out Nice Again’ jointly with Vince Powell who wrote 'Love thy Neighbour', 'Nearest And Dearest' and many other TV comedy shows. Alan has also appeared with Perry Como and Liza Minelli in Las Vegas, and played in concerts with Sir Cliff Richard and The Rolling Stones. Add to this over 300 television appearances, 3,000 radio broadcasts and countless records, and it’s not hard to see why he enjoys a worldwide reputation for his musical skills. Alan also featured in the closing scene of the historic Beatles re-union video for their last hit single “Free As A Bird”. After George Formby had died, Alan played a major role in keeping George Formby's name alive with his concert appearances and recordings of the Formby songs. George's fiancée Pat Howson was a friend of Alan's and gave him many of George's personal possessions including his OBE medal and many of the unique test pressing recordings that George had been given at the time recorded were made. The collection of George Formby material is a unique treasure house of memories of the great man. Apart from the OBE medal, there are George Formby’s passports, many test pressings, photographs, personal items like a beautiful gold cigarette case presented to George and beryl on one of their tours of Canada. A comprehensive list of items with images can be found at The George Formby Memorabilia Collection. REVIEWS “The effervescent and ever-enthusiastic Alan Randall, he of the toothy grin and always acceptable line of George Formby impersonations. The other side of Alan Randall is also generously on display, the jazz musician who attacks the vibes with the cheerful ferocity of his hero Lionel Hampton, embellished with lavish showmanship which also extends to his excursions on piano and drums. He is the undoubted king of his rather specialised category of show business. Peter Hepple, The Editor, The Stage & Television Today. “Headliner Alan Randall I know only from his appearances during his George Formby impersonation. He still does this, but there is more than one string to this performer’s bow. He is a master jazz musician on the vibraphone and does a splendid medley of standards, including ‘How High the Moon’, ‘When I Fall In Love’ and ‘Over The Rainbow. He then progressed to the keyboard and drums and does a long routine jumping from one instrument to the other in a superb display of musicianship. Mind you, he looked exhausted at the end of the evening, but there is no escaping the talent of this extraordinary entertainer”. What’s On In London “Highlight of the evening was the multi-talented Alan Randall London Look Magazine “One man show on his own…” SouthErn Business Review “His voice and ukulele playing indistinguishable from the late George Formby. Went down a storm with the first night audiences. Excellent, absolutely amazing, brings a great deal of humour to his work. It is a privilege to be able to enjoy his star performance.” Windsor Express “One of the World’s best musical acts”. New Yorker Standing Ovation “Outstanding skill with his Vibraphone playing, which roused the audience of mainly American and Japanese visitors to enthusiastic applause, and drew them to their feet.” Daily Telegraph

by Peter Pollard April 2005 It is with great regret that I report on these pages of the death on Saturday 9th April 2005 of Alan Randall, honorary member of the GFS and international recording artist who has been a good friend of the George Formby Society for many years and has probably done more than anybody to promote the name of George Formby since George’s death in 1961. Alan played Formby’s songs and achieved the special “Formby sound” like no other performer. He appeared in Royal Variety performances and was a brilliant musician who loved to play jazz on the piano and vibraphone. Alan wrote a book on George Formby in 1974 together with Ray Seaton, and although it is now out of print, it has always been considered to be the definitive biography of Formby. Whilst writing the book Alan made contacted with Pat Howson, George’s fiancé when he died. She gave Alan her complete archive of George Formby’s collection of personal items which included George’s silver disc for “When I’m Cleaning Windows” and his OBE medal. Alan was closely connected with the Warrington exhibition of 1991 when his complete archive was put on display and over 35,000 people viewed the display over a three month period. Without Alan’s assistance this project would have been a non- starter. Even though Alan was a unique and highly talented entertainer in his own right he never failed to acknowledge the genius of George Formby and Alan had been a dedicated fan since his childhood days. On behalf of the committee and all the members of the George Formby Society I would like to express sincere condolences to Alan's family.