Tommy Steele - The quest!

My Mum liked Tommy Steele more than Elvis. Never quite understood that, but Tommy Steele and I go way back. His records were amongst the first music I ever properly listened to, when I found an old stack of 78 rpm records in the loft as a nine year old. He was the first British rock & roller, and he was also a bit rubbish as a rocker to be honest, but he made good as a charismatic stage and screen 'boy next door'. I have fond memories of watching Half A Sixpence on sunny six week holiday afternoons. I like Tommy Steele a lot. Not least because my Mum had a picture of him in the lid of her dansette.

A couple of years back I went to the country club to play the piano. I arrived a bit early, and the duty manager, Mick, said to me "you've only got one in the dining room at the moment, but it's a special guest. . it's Tommy Steele!"

And sure enough, there was Tommy Steele. Eating Sunday dinner while I played. If I remember correctly, he asked for extra gravy.

As he walked out he said to Mick "thank the pianist for me" and I was chuffed. But I didn't talk to him, and I've regretted it since. I'm sure he's a nice bloke, and I'd love to tell him his early Decca 78s are part of my earliest musical memories, (like he'd be interested in all that!).
Anyway - here's the thing. He's coming back to Wolverhampton this month, and he may well stop at the country club, and if he does, Ill be prepared. I've bought his 10" 1958 album off ebay and I'll keep it in my music case 'till I see him. I'll get it signed to Mum & me and it'll make my mum smile and go "aaah, Tommy Steele, he was my favorite".