A DJ who got a hug from Rod Stewart and a music promoter who turned down Tom Jones will share memories of a life in showbiz at a show in Upminster.
Radio broadcaster Steve Scruton and veteran music promoter Alan Goldsmith will take to the stage for an afternoon of stories, behind-the-scenes tales, and musical bingo at New Windmill Hall on Tuesday, April 28 at 2pm.
The event, titled Radio Rock Bingo, will celebrate Scruton's 50 years in broadcasting with a mix of industry memories and audience participation.
Growing up in Rainham, Mr Scruton was inspired by the pirate radio stations of the 1960s and began his own radio journey in 1976 after answering a volunteer advert for Hospital Radio Chelmsford. He has since become president of the service.
After gaining experience at stations including Radio Orwell, Essex Radio, and Radio Cambridgeshire, he secured a full-time role at BBC Essex, where he spent 22 years presenting the Afternoon Show.
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Mr Scruton said: "From working with my radio hero Johnnie Walker, to meeting the late Queen Elizabeth II, it’s been a blast. I’m looking forward to sharing stories about the people I’ve met in the studio and worked with on stage.
"I’m often asked about the best and worst moments of being on-air, so I’ll be including those too. Thank goodness I saw that ad in the paper."
During his career, he interviewed thousands of guests including Rod Stewart, who once gave him an unexpected hug. He also fulfilled his dream of broadcasting from a ship when he helped recreate pirate radio on the LV18 off Harwich in 2004.
The show will feature audience-friendly rounds of musical bingo, as well as stories from a long career in the music industry.
Joining him on stage will be Alan Goldsmith, a 60s music and show promoter who began his career at 18 and went on to work with stars such as Elton John, The Who, Small Faces, and Dionne Warwick.
Mr Goldsmith will reveal how much he paid Stevie Wonder for a local gig and the surprising way the singer arrived—with just his tutor in a Ford Popular and no entourage.
He also plans to share why he turned down Tom Jones and decided not to book The Rolling Stones.
Mr Goldsmith said: "I’m hoping people will love to hear about the fees I paid to the stars, and the demands and tantrums I had to juggle to get the acts on stage. Was it really all sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll? You’ll find out."
He will also talk about the challenges of organising gigs for mods and rockers and making sure artists and venues matched the different youth tribes of the era. Despite six decades in entertainment, Mr Goldsmith is still promoting shows today.
The event will include rare film clips of arena stunts from Mr Goldsmith’s events—planned long before today’s health and safety standards.
Musical bingo rounds will give the audience a chance to win prizes during the show. Tickets are £15 and include entry and a musical bingo card.
To book, search "Radio Rock Bingo" on Eventbrite or visit the direct link at https://tinyurl.com/RRB-Upminster.
A second show will take place at Champions Manor Hall in South Woodham Ferrers on Tuesday, April 14. Tickets for that event can be booked at https://tinyurl.com/RRB-South-Woodham-Ferrers.
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