My second favourite popstar story* involves Alvin Stardust. I pray it’s true.
Alvin was England’s answer to Elvis, at least visually – he sounded somewhere between Buddy Holly and Marc Bolan. Always the man dressed in black leather. And with a fabulous pair of lamb chops – as I believe this demonstrates**. And like every English popstar worth their salt, he knew when to change his name….he even did it twice before settling on ‘Alvin Stardust’.
After getting to Number 2 with My Coo-Ca-Choo in 1972, he clawed his way up the charts in those leather gloves of his with the follow up – Jealous Mind. Everyone was on tenterhooks…would he make it to the top?
At a record company party attended by the great and the good, a couple of over-excited executives ran up to Alvin and unable to contain themselves imparted the good news.
“Alvin, Alvin, you’re number one, it’s amazing”.
Now, Alvin was England’s answer to Elvis don’t forget and wasn’t about to over-enthuse.
“Ahuh” came his cool response, as he sipped on his brandy.
The conversation went on for a few minutes, largely one-sided as Alvin ahuh-ed his way along, before he excused himself to return to his hotel room to use the loo.
On getting to his room, he flung down his leather jacket, threw the windows open, hung his head out and yelled at the top of his voice, fists a-pumping…..
“Foooocccccckkkkkiiiiing get innnnnnnn you beauooooooooteeeeeyy!”
…before cold-water-washing his face and rejoining the party, going back to his ahuhs.
I know I should be much more like the Fonz*** about having this article in the Observer but if you can’t show a little excitement about something like that you’re either the very cool Alvin Stardust, Henry Winkler, or a very tedious arse. I am certainly not the first two, and only some of the time the latter.
And they’ve now asked me to sit in for Dan Pearson on his Observer magazine column when he goes on holiday at the end of the month.
I’m off to open the office window and give it some….
* Nothing touches the Mick Jagger-restaurant one I’m afraid
** I feel a blog coming on about the marvellous folk who starred in road safety adverts, but I’m not going to let that distract me know
*** Here, starring in a Weezer video, where the band are edited into an episode of Happy Days. The song’s called ‘Buddy Holly’. See what I did there *completes circle with the start of the blogpost*…I’m too good for this place.
And given it’s the crossroads autumn, it’s nectarine salsa at the top, and plum crumble down below.
Fabby do, thats fantastic. I might actually get into the habit of buying a paper. Do let me know when I need to.
WV – brourse (these are getting more & more like "real" words)
Excellent news – good-luck & well deserved.
No disrespect to Dan Pearson but he has looked a little tired of late & a six month sabbatical could do him the world of good.
I know how you feel. Felt like I had a similar day yesterday to a certain extent. Thanks for all your help by the way, it's worth it's weight in gold.
Well done by the way on the Observer article. I must confess to not having read it yet but I will soon. Honest!
Simon
Hooray! That is a very fine gig indeed, am sure you'll do it justice. Welcome to the Observer/Guardian gang, at least temporarily.
Well done Mr Diacono, really chuffed for you and well deserved.
Your an author of great talent and knowledge and just bring your subject matter alive…
I can remember imitating Alvin Stardust's kinked wrist mike holding stance and singing along to Coo ca choo on Top of The Pops! At the ripe old age of 5.
Bizarrely I still remember most of the words, shame I can't remember the names of most of the places I've cycled through this week! Age!
Great photography as usual.
A very nice article, I even recognised some of it from the answers you sent me. Managed to kill two birds with one stone there…
Congratulations on the observer column, it's well deserved
Mark, huge congratulations, very well deserved. You ooze fruity and veggie knowledge & it's great to see you'll be spreading it all over the Observer. I love that piece in the Observer — you're quite jovial about the past mistakes, and I now have a Mr. Bean style montage in my mind involving you, the peachy mulch and a laugh track.
Sheila Averbuch — Stopwatch Gardener
That is indeed wonderful news, I might have to start buying a paper again!
Congratulations.
K
Marvellous, marvellous news! Is it wrong to hope Mr Pearson enjoys long vacations?
Ok, I shall buy the Observer again. You realise this means coming down off my hill on Sunday as well as on Saturday?
OK, I don't want to be the only one who doesn't know. What's the Mick Jagger/restaurant story?
oooh….I'll have to start buying the paper again. Although I do have a 20 minute drive just to reach a shop selling papers.
It seems like we're all looking forward to reading your column….no pressure then!
(Nice to meet you last week, the book's brilliant!)
Sue xx
Bravo! Much deserved.
BTW…I don't suppose you need all those anonymous comments now to make your comment tally look so impressive…(I therefore retract the last one which was moi)
Thank you all for your nice words. I think it may just be the one week *prays for Icelandic volcanoes to do their thing*, next Sunday (26th) is the day I think, so go on, go buy it then write into the mag and tell them Im the best thing since Betamax.
Bob – the Jagger story: man takes a lady out on the first date to a swanky restaurant. Mick's in with Jerry Hall. When Mick gets up to go for a slash, blokey folows him into the lav and says 'look Mr Jagger, I hate to bother you while you're out with the Mrs, but I'm on a first date and I'm really trying to impress her…if you'd just find a mo to say 'Hi Jim, how's it going' I'd be really grateful.' Mick says 'no worries' and off they both go back to their separate tables. Half an hour later Mick pops over to Jims table and says 'Alright Mick, how's it goingg?' And Jim replies 'F*ck off Mick, can't you see I'm busy…'
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