These are my memories of the Recro 80 Festival which took place at Stoneleigh Showground, Kenilworth to celebrate the Queen Mother’s 80th birthday. I was only 10 at the time so have asked my brother, mum, auntie and cousins for their memories too. It would be great if anyone else went and can tell me their memories and confirm some of my stories.
The ice rink and Robin Cousins
We had got free tickets as my mum and auntie were waitresses in the Royal Pavilion. I remember loving the festival as there was a massive fairground which had a huge slide, but the highlight for me was the ice rink. It was a temporary rink that was like a jigsaw puzzle, and wasn’t very smooth at all. Olympic champion Robin Cousins was on the ice and you were allowed to skate with him. My cousins, and me and my brother, all got the chance to skate with him. My cousin also had her photo taken with him, and I got his autograph in my autograph book.
Ella Fitzgerald performed
Prince Charles attended the festival along with lots of celebrities, most of which ate in the Royal Pavilion, and my mum informs me that there was a concert in the evening. She says that Ella Fitzgerald performed! I think this is amazing. She also remembers Max Bygraves and Roy Castle performing, while Noel Edmonds was also there.
There was lots of stalls and entertainment going on. I think there was also some show jumping in the arena.
Does anyone remember going? Did anyone see Ella perform?
Comments
I was in the Warwck corps of drums and did a display there. Robin Cousins marched with us and I had my photo taken with him while he had a go at spinning my rifle. My favourite thing of the week was the dry ski slope but remember the jigsaw puzzle ice rink too.
I was a clarinettist with the Band of Her Majestys Royal Marines which performed at Recro 80. We were asked if some of us would volunteer to keep the general public away from the celebrity performers during the evening concerts in the big top. I volunteered, and on a very wet and rainy evening I stood outside the portacabin that Ella Fitzgerald was using. After a while, the door behind me opened and the great lady herself saw that I was soaking wet and asked me if I would like a cup of coffee. I sat with Ella and had coffee for 15 minutes, – 15 minutes I will never, ever forget. Such kindness from a great, great lady.
Wow Trevor what an amazing story! I will tell my mum that her memory was correct, Ella Fitzgerald performed in Stoneleigh!
I was there with my family the day Stuart Linnell from Mercia Radio interviewed Robin Cousins,Bruce Forcyth and, I think, Seb Coe. We stood right next to them, it was a great show.
I remember going to see Ella Fitzgerald perform in a marquee. Georgie Fame was the support act. Ella had to be assisted to the stage but once she began to sing, her voice was as pure as ever. Every Time We Say Goodbye was my highlight.
I was part of a musical ride with Stoneleigh Riding Club. My husband loaned some audio visual equipment to Richard Noble of the land speed record Thrust Project.
I was a Police Motorcyclist when this show was staged and myself and one other were responsible for getting the traffic out safely after the evening shows. Ella Fitzgerald did kick it off, other acts that followed in the 10 days of the show were Bruce Forsyth, Russ Abbot, Showaddywaddy, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Nolan Sisters to name a few. The concerts were pretty much a sell out, but sadly the attendances during the day were a flop.
Hi I was at the Ella Fitzgerald concert Stoneleigh 1980. It was one of the highlights of my life in jazz music. Jimmy Rowles was her pianist and Ella was in great form singing all her favourite standards. It was an intimate setting, I could hardly believe that I was sitting three rows away from the queen of jazz music and my heroine! A crowd of us fom the Navigation Pub in Coventry attended the concert. Great memories.
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