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Post by xanady on Aug 3, 2019 19:24:05 GMT
Might not be too well known on the board,but one of the greatest old-school variety acts ever and simply one of the greatest live vocalists I ever saw.Died in his husband,Jamie’s,arms in his Blackpool home this morning,aged 64,finally succumbing to cancer after beating it many times in the past.
Met him innumerable times over the years-such a selfless,kind and genuine man.
Great tributes paid to him today from everybody from John Owen Jones to Darren Day.
Told him at the stage door in Brum a few years ago that he was a legend.He stood there in his dress-shirt with a towel around his neck,pouring with sweat and just said ‘Thanks,kid!’
Goodnight,Joe,God Bless xx
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2,408 posts
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Post by theatreian on Aug 3, 2019 21:37:12 GMT
Yes a great entertainer, who refused to give into cancer despite getting it multiple times.
One of the old school variety acts. His Shirley Bassey is still one of the best!
RIP Joe.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2019 22:23:32 GMT
Sad news, a former work colleague of mine was a huge fan of his and I always used to Google Joe's tour dates for him.
Joe was a very good vocal impersonator and a fine vocalist in his own right, sadly he had a lot of health issues for over half his life and in many ways did well to last as long as he did.
He was apparently a class act off stage too and got an MBE for his considerable charity work. He'll be sadly missed.
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5,156 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 4, 2019 14:35:45 GMT
Back in 1994, when seaside resorts still had a 12 week summer season, Joe Longthorne was top of the bill at the now demolished Futurist Theatre in Scarborough.
The stage door was around the back, half way up a steep hill, so every night, while the audience was still milling around outside, he would emerge through the front doors and climb into a canary yellow BMW convertable, which would then roar off into the night. An entertainer to his core.
If you are going to be in showbiz, then be in showbiz 100%. The fact that, 25 years later, I can still remember the make and colour of the car shows what a spectacle it was. Probably didn't hurt ticket sales either!
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Post by xanady on Aug 6, 2019 8:49:26 GMT
Yes,Tall Paul,as he noted in his wonderful autobiography,he was constantly on the road apart from a short Winter break and so he,his husband and his pet dog travelled around in a camper van.Tipping his hat to his proud Romany roots and avoiding crazy hotel prices and to ensure his dog was looked after,it was his way of coping with a gruelling schedule.
Saw him live in a variety of very different venues including a curry house in West Brom,the 02 Indigo and memorably,the Benidorm Palace.
For any fans in the North or elsewhere,there is currently a book of condolence in the reception of Leye De Johns wonderful Viva Variety Showbar in Blackpool.
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