The One and Only Miss Petula Clark!
Petula Clark is in Scotland at the moment, for a couple of concert appearances. The Herald in Glasgow has a very nice feature about her visit. [Link]
Can you believe it? She’s still called a “former child star” over there! That was some 60 years ago, but she still can’t shake the title in the UK.
The article fails to mention the online PETition requesting a Damehood for Petula. I remedied that omission by adding the comment shown below.
Let’s see how that online PETition is coming along. The one in England, asking Tony Blair to recommend Petula Clark be granted the title of Dame. [Link Here]
Hmm. At the moment, 134 136 138 140 166 UK residents have signed it. Not too bad for three four weeks, but let’s hope those Brits step it up. I have to admit I’m not quite sure to whom the recommendation must be made. The Queen herself?
The British government is trying out a new online form, where citizens can petition the Prime Minister. Pet fans have Irene Seaton to thank for initiating a petition to recommend granting Petula Clark the title of Damehood. Click here.
It’s bloody well about time! Only British citizens can vote, so there’s nothing for us US fans to do but watch and wait.
I’ve lost all respect for Tony Blair, who stupidly convinced himself that aligning with George Bush would somehow be a worthwhile venture. This is Tony’s chance to redeem himself, before leaving office!
[flv:http://www.dograt.com/Video/MAR07/PetBruce.flv 400 242]
Here’s another slice and splice with Petula Clark and legendary NY DJ Cousin Bruce Morrow from the PBS special My Music: The British Beat. I don’t actually agree with Pet’s comment that the Beatles were her big break in America. Her success was her own, of course, but if anybody deserves some credit for paving the way for Petula it was Julie Andrews, who had been in America for nearly ten years by that point. And before the Beatles the James Bond movies were hugely influential in opening up the U.S. to all things British.
[flv:http://www.dograt.com/Video/MAR07/BritBeatBrucie.flv 400 242]
I’ve spliced together segments from My Music: The British Beat with Petula Clark and Cousin Brucie giving sales pitches for PBS. I wonder just how well known Bruce Morrow is nationally, or even in Boston where I am now?
[flv:http://www.dograt.com/Video/MAR07/BritishBeat.flv 400 300]
I remember when the PBS music specials that were aired for fund-raisers featured Lawrence Welk. Later, it was Doo-Wop. Now it’s, sigh, the music of my generation. Here’s Petula Clark introducing the Zombies, performing “Time of the Season” on My Music: The British Beat.
