Columbia DB. 4418 -
The release of Russ Conway’s “Royal Event” marked the end of 78rpm record production by EMI
ROYAL EVENT “S”
By Bill Murden
Reproduced with revisions from:
The Russ Conway Appreciation Society Magazine
The recent death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, prompted Bill Murden
to look again at Russ’s composition, Royal Event, and other royal associated items
So it was at 2.30pm on the 22nd January 1960 that Russ, along
with four members of Geoff Love’s rhythm section plus Geoff
himself assembled in Studio 2 at Abbey Road to record “Rule
Britannia” and “Brigadier Wellington Bull”, another television
theme tune that Russ had written and had already been recorded
by The Geoff Love Orchestra on Columbia DB. 4316.
Things changed, and it was decided to record what was now called
“The Royal March” instead of “Brigadier Wellington Bull”.
Over the years we have all heard that the Beatles were great
innovators and used recording studio time to experiment until they
got the sound they wanted. I have to tell you this was nothing new.
The Studio tapes of the “Rule Britannia” & “Royal March” sessions
show just how much experimenting went on with Russ, Norman
Newell and the accompanying musicians.
The tapes of the first session went into storage and only “Rule
Britannia” was used, but in the years to come when personnel had
changed and “Best Of” LP’s and similar titles appeared there
were those who seemingly knew the tunes, but not the correct
versions. Some, presumably thought that it didn’t matter, as long
as the tune was right. They forgot about the purists, and not just
among Russ Conway aficionados but many other artists as well.
This is how the version currently shown on YouTube posted by
Bob18524 came from out of the darkness. Someone presumably
found the first session tape, thought it to be the only session and
it was added, with others to a “Best Of” LP.
I think the companies now use people who know what they are
looking for, as collectors do want the correct version, unless of
course it is a collection of rarities.
Who really knows what they intended to do though at the time.
Russ wanted to record “The Royal March”. Perhaps Norman
Newell was determined to record a tune called “Royal Event”
anyway by anybody.
© Bill Murden May 2002/March 2010
Recording Sheets
See Mike Thomson play “Royal Event”...........Here
Images
Courtesy Of
Anthony G Pavick
Rule Britannia Sampler
WMA File
Roya Event Sampler
WMA File
TV & Radio
Personality
Pete Murray
Continued
From: Melody Maker February 20th 1960
Many thanks to renowned Lowestoft historian, and
author Ivan Bunn, for his time, passion and patience
whilst researching the history of the Theatre Royal,
and for tracking down a rare picture of this wonderful
old theatre for display in this Royal Event article.
The Last Word...........From Russ........And The Fans
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Bill Murden’s Royal Event(s) tale has recently been the inspiration behind publication of a “Turning Back The Clock”
feature of Lowestoft’s “Theatre Royal” in an edition of the Lowestoft Journal -
Read the on-
