Following the annual AGM and notices about new interest groups and the Christmas lunch, members of Northwich u3a were enthusiastically entertained by Rae Owens. With a straight face, Rae informed us that he had been born in a village outside Wales - called Liverpool, and was born in the same hospital and in the same year as Paul McCartney. He quipped that his mother always said that they mixed the babies up!
This set the tone for the whole performance. A music lover from an early age, Rae told us how he listened to the 'flattened' sounds of music on a tiny radio and was amazed at the sound when he first heard live music. His first guitar cost £187 and he could only have it when he proved to his mother that he could play a ukulele, borrowed from the local butcher.
Lonnie Donegan was his first inspiration and he played a little of Lonnie's music, followed by 'Slow Boat to China' and 'Ain't Misbehavin''. Rae told us that he had attended Toxteth Technical Institute and gained 7 O' Levels but had awful acne and stayed indoors a great deal, thus giving him time to learn to learn to play well. He then played us '16 Tons' and a medley of Johnny Cash songs, including 'Folsom Prison', 'Boy Named Sue' and 'Ring of Fire'.
After regaling us about more of his life and people he has played music with, Rae sang 'Living Doll' and played The Shadows' hit 'FBI'.
Rae sang and played a wide range of music from Country and Western to 'Susie, Susie, Sitting in a Shoe Shine Shop'! He also played the ukulele and sang 'Leaning on a Lamp Post' by George Formby. Rae finished the set with 'That'll be the Day' and Elvis' 'Teddy Bear'.
The afternoon was extremely entertaining both in musical and comedy terms. Rae had the audience in the palm of his hand and we all enjoyed his performance tremendously.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 20th November 2024 at Owley Wood Recreation Club, Weaverham at 2pm, when Andrew Rowe will ask, 'Are we burning the wrong Guy?' Come and join us!