Web Page 1050


16th June 2012

Top Picture: Michael Holliday’s memorial in Anfield Cemetery .

Second Picture: A Michael Holliday 1957 EP cover



Michael Holliday

Norman Milne, was a Liverpool-born sailor who became “Britain’s Bing Crosby” and with it, one of the biggest stars in the business. It was to be a brief stay in the spotlight. His stardom lasted only eight turbulent years, from his breakthrough on television in 1955 to his suicide in 1963. He served in the Merchant Navy during World War II, having been born into a seafaring family. On a 'stop-off' in New York, he took the opportunity to enter a talent contest at Radio City Hall- which he won. This gave him the confidence to try and become a professional singer and he began by offering his services around Liverpool's dance halls. His first important professional work came as a member of the Eric Winstone Orchestra. From this he soon became a top performer during the dying days of the Variety theatre and drew sufficient attention to get into Television and records.

Michael Holliday was a household name in the Fifties and truly, a big star. His records outsold those of his contemporaries such as Alma Cogan, Dickie Valentine and Frankie Vaughan. He topped the charts twice with “The Story of My Life” and “Starry Eyed” and enjoyed a string of other hits. He was just as well known on television as much an icon of Fifties TV as that of Tony Hancock or Richard Dimbleby.

When Michael Holliday sang, he sounded like a Bing Crosby and for thirty years, British singers had competed for the label of “Britain’s Bing Crosby” until Michael Holliday came along,. But what started out as an accolade became a millstone around his neck.

He made it all seem so easy. At a time when formality was still the order of the day, Michael Holliday was cool and casual. BBC newsreaders might still be wearing dinner jackets but Michael Holliday sang his songs in a sweater and open-neck shirt. His TV ‘set’ was normally a make-believe flat, his props were a rocking chair and a sofa and the mischievous wink that he gave to the camera. “Life’s a breeze” seemed to be his message and the public in the ‘never-had-it–so-good’ days of Fifties went along with it. In fact much of his recorded output, in common with other British artists, were covers of American songs. He also hosted his own TV series and was one of the first to adopt a 'relaxed' style as used by Val Doonican a few years later.

He saw his dreams come true and Bing Crosby went from being an idol to a friend. They met in California in 1959 and when Bing turned up unexpectedly to make some recordings in London, Michael Holliday was there. He swapped the terraced house in Liverpool, where he was born, for a mansion in the Surrey hills. The newspapers caught him strolling in his orchard or riding his white palomino, “Shadow” across the downs. With a beautiful wife and son, he was everybody’s ideal next door neighbour. “In tune with life, in tune with song” said one TV announcer. No-one on the outside would have doubted it for a minute.

But when Michael Holliday walked into the night club run by his friend, ex-boxer Freddie Mills in the early hours of October 29th, 1963, he had already decided that he could take no more. His marriage was in tatters, his taxes were unpaid, and he had convinced himself that he was through. “You’re late” laughed Freddie Mills when he appeared around 1.30 am. “You’ve missed the show. Come back tomorrow night”. Michael Holliday looked him deep in the eye. “There won’t be a tomorrow night” he said.

“Drugs Kill TV’s Michael Holliday” screamed the morning papers. The inquest revealed another side to the star. The fairytale had become a nightmare. Michael Holliday was two people in one body. One part of him loved the limelight and the adulation of stardom; the other wanted the anonymity and solitude of his days in the merchant navy. He looked so relaxed on stage, as if he didn’t have a care in the world, but before every appearance, he was a shivering wreck who had to be virtually pushed onto the stage. He loved his wife Margie and leant heavily on her in his darker moods, but couldn’t resist the girls that came his way. His homely, family image was a world away from the man who disc jockey, Pete Murray called the “number one crumpet man of all time”.

They buried him by the wall of the Catholic chapel in Anfield cemetery. Three thousand fans turned out to pay their last respects. The Beatles, Cliff Richard and a host of other stars sent their own floral tributes. But when the crowds had gone, society turned its back. The Swinging Sixties were just around the corner, but suicide was one of society’s last taboos. It was as though he had never existed. Within a matter of months, showbiz had erased Michael Holliday from its memory. Fifty years on, the Catholic chapel is long gone. The black headstone stands incongruously alone. Even that maintains the anonymity – “Dear Mike – Beloved by Many” is the only clue to the alter ego of Norman Milne who lies there.



It really does not seem 50 years since we heard him singing the theme to ‘Four Feather Falls’, ‘ The Yellow Rose of Texas’ and ‘The story of my Life’.

Stay in touch,



Yours,





Peter



DUSTYKEAT@aol.com

Pj.keat@ntlworld.co.uk



You Write:

Peter Writes

You mentioned in this weeks Blog my fathers Chemist Shop,  "BAKERS OF 
COSHAM".  The business "Baker & Son Chemists Ltd" was established in 1845 
and the premises which were demolished in 1963 to make way for the new style 
"Bakers of Cosham" was originaly Cosham Post Office until 1845.  My father 
John Barlow was the son of a well known Chemist in Palmerston Road, T.O. 
Barlow, which was bombed in the second world war.  The family moved to 
Bakers in 1946 where John Barlow was to shortly buy the business from Mr 
Cyril Baker who lived at Lumley Mill, Emsworth but it wasnt until the late 
1950s that Mr Baker eventually retired.  Once John Barlow owned the business 
he quickly transformed and modernised the Chemist and Stationery side into a 
small department store, the Chemist part being the main department and 
introducing Quality China, Pictures, Greetings cards and Stationery.  He 
dramatically changed the Cosmetics Department and introduced regular Beauty 
and Make Up Demonstrations with many of the main cosmetics companies such as 
Elizabeth Arden, Lancome etc; etc;  He employed approximately 10 very loyal 
long serving staff.  John died in 1971 aged 53 and his wife Mary carried on 
the business until 1974 when it was closed down.  I enclose one or two 
photos of the original business before it became "Bakers of Cosham"

News and Views:

Paul McCartney has told the BBC that he will be closing the Olympic ceremonies in London on July 27th.

On this day 16th June 1960-1965

On 16/06/1960 the number one single was Cathy's Clown - Everly Brothers and the number one album was South Pacific Soundtrack. The top rated TV show was Sunday Night at the London Palladium (ATV) and the box office smash was Psycho. A pound of today's money was worth £13.68 and Burnley were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.



On 16/06/1961 the number one single was Surrender - Elvis Presley and the number one album was GI Blues - Elvis Presley. The top rated TV show was Probation Officer (ATV) and the box office smash was One Hundred and One Dalmations. A pound of today's money was worth £13.25 and Tottenham Hotspur were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.



On 16/06/1961 the number one single was Surrender - Elvis Presley and the number one album was GI Blues - Elvis Presley. The top rated TV show was Probation Officer (ATV) and the box office smash was One Hundred and One Dalmations. A pound of today's money was worth £13.25 and Tottenham Hotspur were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.



On 16/06/1962 the number one single was Good Luck Charm - Elvis Presley and the number one album was Blue Hawaii - Elvis Presley. The top rated TV show was Coronation Street (Granada) and the box office smash was Lawrence of Arabia. A pound of today's money was worth £12.89 and Ipswich Town were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions. The big news story of the week was Brazil wins World Cup Final.



On 16/06/1963 the number one single was From Me To You - The Beatles and the number one album was Please Please Me - The Beatles. The top rated TV show was Conservative Party Political Broadcast (all channels) and the box office smash was The Great Escape. A pound of today's money was worth £12.64 and Everton were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions. The big news story of the day was Prince Charles (14) buys cherry brandy.



On 16/06/1964 the number one single was You're My World - Cilla Black and the number one album was Rolling Stones - The Rolling Stones. The top rated TV show was Coronation Street (Granada) and the box office smash was Dr Strangelove. A pound of today's money was worth £12.24 and Liverpool were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.



On 16/06/1965 the number one single was Crying in the Chapel - Elvis Presley and the number one album was The Sound of Music Soundtrack. The top rated TV show was Coronation Street (Granada) and the box office smash was The Sound of Music. A pound of today's money was worth £11.69 and Manchester United were on the way to becoming the Season's Division 1 champions.