Derek Webster: Star Struck In Southport

One of the questions I often get asked about the many years I worked in radio is, have I met anyone famous? Sadly, many of the people I interviewed have since passed away, including Marvin Gaye, who I almost got to interview but turned him down – more about that later.

Most of the famous stars I encountered passed through the stage-entrance at the back of the Southport Theatre. I walked past it recently and, although the theatre itself has undergone a transformation over the years, the wooden door hasn’t changed a bit since I loitered there with my roving microphone in the early 1980s.

The backstage area was once ruled by a really kind and helpful man called John Sutton, who was trusted by Southport’s legendary tourism chief Phil King to guard the complex and make sure only the right people got in. I was lucky because, after interviewing Mr King himself, I was introduced to John who would give me full access to many of the visiting stars. In those days I was a volunteer in hospital radio so he would simply ask the performers if they wouldn’t mind sparing a few minutes to chat to their fans listening in their sick-beds. Sometimes the informal approach didn’t work but often it did, giving me endless opportunities to meet some of the biggest names in entertainment.

There were embarrassing moments too, like the time I was welcomed at the door by a scruffy young Scottish girl. I told her that I had come to interview Sheena Easton – one of the big pop stars of the day. The girl looked at me strangely and announced: “I am Sheena Easton”. Naturally I felt a bit silly not recognising her, but it was a good reminder that these are just ordinary people before the make-up is slapped on and the spotlight catches them.

On another occasion I was inside the dressing room area and heard a banging on the outside stage door. Seeing that no one was around I unlocked the entrance and came face to face with comedy legend, Tommy Cooper. He looked just like he did on the telly except he was in a hurry and asked for directions in that unforgettable voice: “Whish way? Whish way” he slurred.

Before he went on stage to give a brilliant performance I managed to record an interview with him in which he appeared a little worse for wear for drink. But, under the circumstances, it was good of him to give his time and we were very grateful. I remember being asked if I happened to have any braces on me – apparently he had forgotten to bring any which were needed as a prop for his act. If only I had been wearing any it would have been a real claim to fame.

In complete contrast the atmosphere surrounding the appearance of Irish comedian Dave Allen was much calmer. I was used to arriving to find the place in a whirl of activity with hangers on and worried looking managers, but there was no one there. The star had gone out for a walk along the sea wall to get some fresh air. I waited for his return listening to the wind howling around the silent theatre. And when he came back he gave an excellent interview, so conversational and relaxed, as though I had known him for years. One of those famous people you meet who do not disappoint.

I was very impressed with the way such big names found time to talk for the benefit of a small hospital radio audience. There was no mass market coverage for them in exchange for their efforts, just a handful of listeners and a star struck interviewer.

Sometimes it became difficult to separate real life from show business. During an interview with ventriloquist Keith Harris I was wrong footed when, instead of operating Orville the Duck, he left the puppet in the large hat box that was its home before conducting the interview using only his voice. At least this avoided the embarrassing dilemma of where to point the microphone when the puppet was supposed to be speaking. Sooty, however, once appeared in full fur and with a bit of help from Mathew Corbett treated me to a blast from his water cannon, the full force of which nearly sent me flying. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Many stars came and went including Randy Crawford, Gene Pitney, Val Doonican and Sad Café, a band that made a big impression on the charts with ‘Everyday Hurts’. This one was almost a disaster when I noticed the recording machine had unwound all the tape leaving an empty reel spinning around. Thankfully I had managed to capture enough material before the technology went into self-destruct mode.

By far the biggest name was the one I almost got to interview. Marvin Gaye was a big recording star, famous for all those classic Motown tracks like ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’ and ‘Let’s Get it On’. When I heard he was coming to the Southport Theatre, I managed to arrange an interview through the usual unofficial channels. But when I arrived, microphone in hand, there was tension in the air. First of all, the star was late and the support band was beginning to out stay its welcome – the crowd had come to hear the soul legend after all. Meanwhile a tall serious man that I took to be the road manager was querying the list of dressing room requirements that had to me met according to the contract.

It seemed one of these stipulations was to supply the star with a jar of clear honey before going on stage. Unfortunately someone had messed up and only the white, cloudy version had been provided. The tall serious road manager type was not happy and more or less announced that the show might not go on if the clear honey wasn’t supplied. On a Sunday night in Southport in the early 1980s this was difficult to find, but someone had to go out into the night and find a shop that was actually open. Eventually the honey problem was solved but Mr Gaye had still not arrived – remember, this was a time before mobile phones.

I was told that the interview would now take place after the show which could be as late as midnight. Tired and uncomfortable with the goings on that night, back stage at the Southport Theatre, I made my excuses and left what was beginning to look like an all night session. After all I had a proper job to contend with in the morning.

And so, that is how I turned down an interview with Marvin Gaye at the Southport Theatre one night in the early 1980s. The soul legend went on to have more hits, including ‘Sexual Healing’ in 1982, the very year I began my professional radio career at Red Rose Radio in Lancashire.

Strangely enough I never got to meet quite as many famous people in my professional broadcasting life, but I am grateful to those big name stars who freely gave their time during those memorable nights backstage at the Southport Theatre – especially to Phil King and John Sutton who made me welcome.

I often wonder what happened at the end of that long night when Mr. Gaye put his honey- jar aside and announced to his entourage: “Tell him I’m ready for my interview now”

Tune in to Derek every Weekend here on Sandgrounder Radio