Armadale Bands and Performers

A Brief History of Armadale's Bands including Armadale Concert Ensemble

The Keynotes

• Singer: George Hunter

• Accordion: Davy Gibson

• Drummer: Vince Ezzi

1980s

Déjà Vu

Candyfloss

Singers

• David Begbie, a tenor singer, particularly of Scottish songs.

• George Boyd, an engineer of South Street, near Gladstone terrace, was a bass singer who always performed on stage dressed in tails.  He emigrated to New Zealand.

• The Laird Sisters, singers of Academy street who performed nationally and eventually emigrated to America.

• Johnny McNicol, Local Registrar of Births and Deaths, Manager of Robinson & Love, light entertainer of amusing songs such as In My Little Garden Hub Bub. He was also a shipping agent who aided many Armadalians to emigrate by helping with their paperwork.

• Hammy Nesbit, tenor soloist or duettist with a female performer.

• James Scott, draper of Melville Scott, who had a fine baritone voice, and, like so many performers in Armadale, was willing to give his services free for local concerts.

• Betty Simpson nee McNair, contralto, who always performed free.

• Gavin Watson, a light baritone singer who often performed with James Scott, and he also played the organ for the local church.

Musicians

• Maggie Boyle played at the Pavilion as well as at children's parties and Co-operative functions organised by the Women's Guild.

• William Martin was a cornet player in local brass and silver bands.

• John Oliver accompanied silent films and played violin in the orchestra.

• George Owen played clarinet and piccolo in many leading local bands.

• Robert Paterson was an accordion player who performed solo as well as an accompanist at local events.

• William Peden aka Wull, one of a renowned family of fiddlers. He accompanied silent films  as well as local singers at the Goth on a Saturday night.  He emigrated to America.

• David Russell played cornet in many local orchestras as well as an accompanist for silent films and stage shows in the Pavilion and Star Theatres.  He emigrated to America.

• Miss Christina Shaw, piano teacher of Wood Terrace, who bequeathed money to be given out at Christmas-time to needy Armadalians.

• T. Shaw, brother of Miss C., violin teacher and member of leading orchestras in the area.

• Forrester Smith aka Fossy, a pole erector (for electric power conveyance) for the United Collieries, was a fine pianist, who  played at the Pavilion and Star.  The orchestra accompanied visiting performers and comprised: piano, violin, cornet and drums.  He was a founding member of a popular local dance band called  The Charleston Band.

• William Smith, an accomplished drummer, was one of the original members of The Charleston Band, and he also accompanied silent movies and live shows.  He was also a tap boot dancer like his father and brothers.

• Willie Strain, a foundry steel moulder, a performer of Scottish music who won many prizes in competitions, while also performing as a soloist as well as an accompanist at local shows (live and silent movies).

• Jack Walker played for travelling shows, but also played locally at the Pavilion and other 'Dale theatres.

• Hector Wylie was a popular performer who accompanied silent films.

It is hoped to post more information about Armadale bands and entertainers in the future. 

If you have any information that you could contribute, please e-mail Rosie