Category: Archive

September 1, 2014

Matt Monro praised by Steve Allen and Tony Blackburn

in conversation – 50 minutes into programme approx.

You’ll have to pay to download it – £2!

Steve Allen – In Conversation With… – LBC Podcasts image Steve Allen – In Conversation With… – LBC Podcasts In Conversation With Tony Blackburn 31st Aug Steve Allen | In Conversation With… | 48m 31s | 31.08.14 In Conversation With Tamzin Outhwaite and Matthew Kelly … View on lbc.audioagain.com

December 31, 2012

Matt Monro – on BBC4 – New Year’s Eve

Programme title: “…Sings Disney Songs”. Mattt sings “When You Wish Upon a Sstar”.
Source: Daily Mail Weekend Magazine.] Also see BBC 4 website

December 1, 2012

Matt Monro – Radio Birthday Tribute

Nick Muir on our guestbook: For all fans of Matt Monro, I will be paying a tribute to him for his birthday tomorrow, 2nd December starting at 4pm UK time on www.bayfm.co.uk

Bay FM is a community radio station, i.e. no adverts, non profit making and run by volunteers and has just been granted a licence. Come and join me!

April 30, 2012

An Evening with Matt Monro – Digitally Remastered [DVD]

Re-release

April 24, 2012

Rarer Monro

Matt Monro Facebook announces: “New Matt 2CD set due on June 18th – ‘Rarer Monro’ contains many previously unheard recordings.”

April 12, 2012

Talk about Matt Monro this Sunday April 15th, Ashcroft Theatre in Croydon at 3pm

Nigel Colman is to tell The Matt Monro Story this Sunday April 15th, Ashcroft Theatre (click on Meetings and Other Activities) in Croydon at 3pm.
(13 Chart records) Portrait of My Love, Born Free, My Kind of Girl, Softly as I leave You, Walk Away, Yesterday, From Russia with Love etc. With sound extracts.

February 11, 2012

Foxy Bingo advert features “Born Free”

Foxy Bingo, an online bingo website, is launching a revealing ad campaign featuring a naked Foxy, with Matt Monroe (sic!) singing “Born Free”. have a look and listen here…

January 31, 2012

Friday 10th February, BBC Radio 2, 10pm: “Friday Night is Music Night”: 1982 concert conducted by Ron Goodwin and featuring Matt Monro singing ‘On Days Like These’, ‘Born Free’and ‘From Russia With Love’.

October 28, 2011

Matt Monro soundtrack to bbc slide show – Stunning Stourhead; Matt singing “The Autumn Leaves” at the end of a stunning autumn colours slide show.

March 28, 2011

On the Feedback programme on BBC Radio 4, 27 minutes into programme a listener criticises Terry Wogan’s successor Chris Evans for interrrupting Matt Monro’s record ‘On Days Like These’ with “inane comments”.

The Feedback presenter then plays out the programme with the song. The continuity announcer then says “what a voice.”

Fri. 21 October 2005:

I was on holiday so a slightly late message: the transmission date for THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN VOICE has changed to 21st October at 9pm (repeated 1.45am) on BBC Four. It will be on BBC Two at some point later on, too. Of course I will keep you posted.

Update:

It was an excellent hour-long documentary charting Monro’s life and career, accompanied by archive footage, interviews with Don Black, John Barry, Sir George Martin and Monro’s family.

Sir George Martin

Matt Monro

But most of it was also accompanied by Barry’s music from The Beyondness of Things & The Specialist – or was it Playing By Heart? Anyway, very moody JB, just right for the tone of the programme.

John Barry, OBE

Don Black, OBE

It was on the BBC’s digital only channel, BBC4, but well worth a look when it appears elsewhere around the globe.

DOCUMENTARY: Matt Monro: The Man With The Golden Voice
Channel: BBC 4 107
Date: Saturday 22nd October 2005
Duration: 1 hour.
Neil Pearson narrates a documentary telling the story of Matt Monro, the young Londoner born Terry Parsons who became one of the world’s most popular ballad singers. Contributors include Paul Gambaccini, Don Black, George Martin, John Barry and Monro’s family.

November 8, 2010

Matt sings on Coronation Street

Sebastian Melmoth informs us: “Mon Nov 08, 2010 2:03 pm, there’s a tragic death on Coronation Street this evening … Matt Monro will provide a thanatic soundtrack – ‘Softly as I Leave You’.”

Update November 9, 2010

Watch it now on Youtube

October 3, 2010

Portrait of My Love: A Matt Monro Tribute.

Friday Night is Music Night
On: BBC Radio Two (0102)
Date: Friday 8th October 2010
Time: 20:00 to 22:00

Live from London’s Mermaid Theatre, Portrait of My Love: A Matt Monro Tribute. Matt Monro would have been 80 this year and it is also the 50th anniversary of the release of Portrait of My Love. To celebrate, Darius Campbell, Ryan Malloy, Graham Bickley and Stephen Triffit sing some of his hits, including Born Free, Walk Away, Michelle and Softly As I Leave You. Richard Balcombe conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra and Paul Gambaccini hosts.

September 27, 2010

Matt’s music on Radio Tircoed, September 28

Tune in to radio tircoed on Tuesday September 28, between 11am and 2pm for a special tribute show to Matt as they take a look back at his life and play loads of his music 11am British time.

July 30, 2010

John Barry *was* present at Royal World Charity Premiere of “Born Free”

Here is fascinating footage of the stars (including composer John Barry and then wife Jane Birkin) and the royal party from the Royal Premiere of Born Free in 1966.

This clearly contradicts Michele Monro’s account from “The Singer’s Singer: The Life and Music of Matt Monro.”

This will puzzle anybody who has read Michele Monro’s Matt Monro biography since it is stated therein that of the Born Free song crew, only Matt turned up and had to alert Don & John that the song was omitted from that print!!

In fact, we had proof that John Barry was at the premiere for years as a photo featured in the books “John Barry – A Life In Music” and “John Barry – The Man With The Midas Touch”.

Geoff Leonard

Geoff Leonard

May 10, 2010

Michele Monro reading extracts from and signing her book on 19th May

Michele Monro will be reading extracts from and signing her book on Matt in the Pitshanger Bookshop, 141 Pitshanger Lane, Ealing, London W5 on 19th May.

April 3, 2010

Michele Monro on BBC Radio Lancashire this Easter Monday evening

Listen to the Michele Monro interview for broadcast on BBC Radio Lancashire this Easter Monday evening: “Gerald Jackson with music from classic crooners.”

The half hour feature will be included from 20:15 BST (Programme starts at 19.00).

Your can hear the full programme “Unforgettable” via the BBC iPlayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7pd and listen again for a full 7 days.

February 26, 2010

Mickie Monro: 19.07.33 – 25.02.10

“Mickie Monro, loving wife of the late great singer Matt Monro and beloved mother and grandmother to Michele, Matt Jnr and Max passed away on Thursday 25 February 2010. She had been ill for several months but the family hid the fact until recently. On 27 January Michele made an announcement at the Book Launch admitting that her mother had been diagnosed with bone cancer and was critically ill.”

February 19, 2010

Michele Monro on BBC Jersey

Sara Palmer presents the Morning Show on the BBC in Jersey and shall be chatting with Michele Monro (Matt’s daughter) about her book about her father.

Michele will be on the show on Monday morning, 22 February, around 10.15 if anyone wanted to listen live on the internet – or catch it on listen again.

February 18, 2010

Save Abbey Road Studios from property developers!

Save Abbey Road Studios from property developers is a group for those that believe it would be tragic to allow Abbey Road Studios to be bought by property developers.

On their Facebook site they say: “Join us in finding a way to save the historic Abbey Road Studios from being sold to property developers.We want to keep the studios operating as a recording facility for future generations.

PLEASE INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS!”

http://saveabbeyroadstudios.org

February 01, 2010

Isle of Wight Radio’s JOHN HANNAM MEETS with 2-hour MATT MONRO SPECIAL

This Sunday – FEBRUARY 7 – John is presenting a 2-hour MATT MONRO SPECIAL on the actual day of the 25th anniversary of his death, 2 – 4pm.

It’s a celebration of his life and will feature his widow Mickie, daughter Michele and son Matt Junior plus hit songwriter Don Black and Matt’s original musical director Colin Keyes.

A Hannam archive features part of an interview recorded with Matt Monro at Sandown Pavilion in the early 80s.

Many of Matt’s most popular recordings will be played.

This programme can be heard all along the South Coast on 107FM and all over Britain via www.iwradio.co.uk

John Hannam also has his own website on www.johnhannam.com

February 18, 2010

Save Abbey Road Studios from property developers!

Save Abbey Road Studios from property developers is a group for those that believe it would be tragic to allow Abbey Road Studios to be bought by property developers.

On their Facebook site they say: “Join us in finding a way to save the historic Abbey Road Studios from being sold to property developers.We want to keep the studios operating as a recording facility for future generations.

PLEASE INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS!”

http://saveabbeyroadstudios.org

January 20, 2010

Michele Monro on radio show, The Vinyl Frontier ( show airs between 7 and 10pm)

Mike Mclean writes to us: – I’m delighted to say that Matt’s daughter, Michele, has agreed to guest on my radio show, The Vinyl Frontier, on Sunday, February 7, 2010, 25 years to the day since her dad died.

She will be talking about the new biography, the commemorative CD releases, and her dad’s life and times, and of course, it will be liberally sprinkled with examples of Matt’s wonderful recordings.

The Vinyl Frontier can be heard on Your Radio, 103 and 106.9FM in the west of Scotland, or on-line at yourradiofm.com (click on listen live – top right of the screen on the home page).

The show airs between 7 and 10pm (UK time) every Sunday evening, and you can find out more about the show at its website www.thevinylfrontier.net

January 13, 2009

Titan Books Ltd is releasing Michele Monro’s biography of her father: The Singer’s Singer: The Life and Music of Matt Monro. 656 pages, 29 January 2010.

More information.

December 30, 2009

The start of a new year will see two new Matt Monro CD releases, marking the 25th anniversary of his death.

EMI will issue “The Greatest“, featuring 25 of his best-known recordings, and their budget label EMI Gold will issue an impressive box-set, “The Singles Collection“, containing both sides of every single (45) released. This ranges from his early days on Decca and Fontana through to his lengthy career with EMI/Capitol.

October 26, 2009

Would you believe it? It’s that time of year again. A new Matt Monro album: Matt Monro Born Free. Bottom of the discography page.

September 22, 2009

Titan Books will publish Michele Monro’s biography of her father, “The Singer’s Singer”, in early 2010, according to a report on the internet.

August 22, 2009

We would like to thank Horace Ward for the wonderful colour photo of Matt he provided. This dates back to Horace’s time as a show business photographer when he took many similar photos of the stars of that era. The photo will now take pride of place on our home page! Thanks again, Horace.

April 26, 2009

Matt at the BBC to be released on May 5, 2009

Package contains CD and DVD.

November 19, 2008.

John Barry – The Man With the Midas Touch” is now available.

The book will be available from high street bookshops and the usual online (film-music) stores.

Or order now: please visit this page.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008:

We have received two exciting photos from Ms Caroline Foster of Ms Foster with Matt (early 1960s) when she presented Matt with a gold cigarette lighter at the Ideal Home Exhibition. More…

Sunday, December 30, 2007:

Five-time Oscar-winner John Barry is the UK’s premier composer of film music, having written for more than one hundred films. 2007 marks his 50th year in the music business, in a career which has progressed from leading a pop group to becoming a multiple award-winning composer. This should be recognised with the top honour by the country of his birth.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/JohnBarry/

This facility is only open to British citizens or residents or ex-pats. But we thought everybody might like to see it and sign if you are eligible and think it’s a good idea. “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to award John Barry a Knighthood.”

Submitted by Geoff Leonard – Deadline to sign up by: 08 March 2008 –

It’s very easy and won’t involve getting any “spam” from the Prime Minister! 😉

Here’s our own website (managed and created by Ruud and Geoff Leonard – imdb):

http://www.johnbarry.org.uk

Thanks.

— Ruud & Geoff
http://www.johnbarry.org.uk
http://www.mattmonro.org.uk

Saturday, December 1, 2007:

Exclusive online interview with Don Black

Stage and Screen Online has been created by Tommy Pearson and Edward Seckerson, to continue delivering high-quality, in-depth interviews and knowledgeable reviews that were the mainstay of their popular BBC Radio show, Stage and Screen. Both are well-known and respected broadcasters on their subjects; Pearson on film music, Seckerson on musical theatre. S&S Online presents the opportunity to deliver specialist interviews to a worldwide audience – interviews that cannot be heard anywhere else.

Click here to access an exclusive interview with Don Black, during which he talks about his highly successful song-writing partnership with John Barry.

Sunday, November 25th 2007:

mattmonro.com has brand new web store

The official website mattmonro.com has opened a web store “Full of exciting products – all items are available worldwide” Click here to visit

Sunday, November 25th 2007:

A Touch Of Class (Compact Disc) – NRAS005 When Matt Monro Met Nelson Riddle The 1967 Classic BBC Concert is sold out.

October 2007:

Matt at the Movies to be released on 15 October 2007

“MATT MONRO Matt At The Movies (2007 UK 3-CD set) comprising a collection of 74 tracks taken from some of the most popular films of all time, including a previously unreleased English version of ‘Love Story’, as well as several tracks appearing in stereo for the first time, complete with sleevenotes written by Michele Monro.”

DOCUMENTARY: Matt Monro: The Man With The Golden Voice
On: BBC 4 (107)
Date: Tuesday 16th October 2007
Time: 20:00 to 21:00 (1 hour long)

Neil Pearson narrates a documentary telling the story of Matt Monro, the young Londoner born Terry Parsons who became one of the world’s most popular ballad singers. Contributors include Paul Gambaccini, Don Black, George Martin, John Barry and Monro’s family.
(Stereo, Widescreen, Subtitles)

Saturday, 30th June 2007:

Update to the airing schedule for the 1965 feature, “Pop Gear.” The Flix cable channel will air it on the following dates:

Showtime Next:
July 8- 1:15 PM EDT
July 16- 7:30 AM EDT

Showtime Family Zone–
June 30 2:15 PM EDT and #:15 AM EDT
Showtime Next– July 4 11:30 AM EDT

The Showtime Cable network homepage is the source for any further updates.

Monday, 2nd April 2007:

Matt’s American fans may be pleased to know that the American cable network, Showtime and two affiliate channels will air Pop Gear within the next few weeks.

Matt performs Walk Away, For Mama, and the closing theme song. I’ve wondered if the lady with him in the video for Walk Away was his wife, Mickey. But, in the meantime, the film should be a marvelous nostalgia trip for those who remember 1964.

–D. Earle

Thursday 25th March 2007:

Matt Monro on Petula Clark’s “Duets”

A new Petula Clark album has been releases, “Duets”, on which she sings duets with other famous performers, among whom Matt Monro.

The duet with Matt is called “Fancy Meeting You Here” from a TV show in the 60’s.

Released in the USA on Varese Sarabande label. Catalog #: 302 066 791 2

Release Date: 03/13/07

Thursday 22nd March 2007:

Matt Monro

Another two CDs, available from late March and April are: “Complete Hits” (EMI) and “En Espana//Grandes Exitos En Espanol” (EMI Gold).

For track listing, see the discography, bottom of page.

Tuesday 20th March 2007:

Matt Monro

Not Now Music has released the CD “Matt Monro” on Not Now Music NOT1CD108 (Matt Monro, The Original Decca Recordings). The tracks are the 10″ LP + 2 extra *Ev’rybody Falls in Love with Someone & *Out of Sight, Out of Mind. Twelve tracks with lovely sound. Release date February 5, 2007. The release will be reviewed in “In Tune” magazine:

Matt Monro, The Original Decca Recordings, Not Now Music, NOT1CD108
Songs: That Old Feeling/ Gone with the Wind/ You Always Hurt the One You Love/ Once in a While/ Memories of You/ A Cottage for Sale/ *Ev’rybody Falls in Love with Someone/ Do You Ever Think of Me? / What Can I Say After I Say I’m Sorry? / Dancing with Tears in My Eyes/ *Out of Sight, Out of Mind/ I Cried For You (Now It’s Your Turn to Cry over Me).
Original LP plus 2 extra tracks* Out Of Sight Out Of Mind, Decca F10816 11/1956 and Gone With The Wind, Decca F10839, 1957. Blue And Sentimental (10″), Decca LF 1276, 04/1957. This was Matt’s first LP and what a classy set it was. Over 50 years later the recordings and arrangements have stood the test of time and are evidence of the early promise that was to blossom into international appeal only a few years later. This is a most welcome addition to CD and one that collectors will not want to miss. Musical director, Malcolm Lockyer. Running time approx 31 minutes.

Courtesy: Clive Fuller, In Tune – the only magazine in the world for lovers of the golden age of popular music

For track listing, see the discography, bottom of page.

Wednesday 7th February 2007:

Isle of Wight Radio’s JOHN HANNAM MEETS

Every Sunday at from 1pm until 3pm – Britain’s longest running non-stop radio chat show.

This Sunday – February 11 – John talks to

TV and movie actor RUTH GEMMELL – who starred in the movie Fever Pitch with Colin Firth. Her TV series include Band of Gold, Waking the Dead, Frost, Five Days and Silent Witness.

The Hannam Archive features an interview with MATT MONRO never heard in public before. The interview was recorded in the 80s on the Isle of Wight. EMI have just released a new CD of Matt’s for Valentine and Mother’s Day.

The interview will be played on Isle of Wight Radio on Sunday Feb 11 at 2pm. It can be heard all along the South Coast on 107FM. It can also be heard all over Britain via website www.iwradio.co.uk

The show is into its seventeenth non-stop year. Mr. Hannam: “I was a personal friend of Matt and am friends with Mickie and Michele.”

It was primarily recorded for the notes for a newspaper interview. The interview has been cleaned up, the levels adjusted and some of Matt’s records have been put in and around it.

Thursday 11th January 2007:

Peter Taylor, Presenter at Radio Logan 101FM informs us that he will do a radio tribute to Matt Monro on Monday 15th January 2007, (at about) 1:35 – 1:40pm Australian Eastern Standard Time.

Web address: www.101fm.asn.au and web cast is available. (Listen Live, bottom left.)

Also on the day I will be giving away (to one of our members or subscribers) a Matt Monroe CD. I trust that I will do the great man justice.

Community Radio Logan 101FM is located in Logan City, South East Queensland, in the Land of Oz and have a broad listening audience in the SEQld area.

Monday 23th October 2006:

Cliff Richard – Matt Monro: Let There Be Love

Two’s Company – The Duets
Brand new studio album out 6th November 2006

Two’s Company is a stunning album of duets old and new and brings Cliff together with artists as diverse as Elton John, Daniel O’Donnell, Dionne Warwick, Barry Gibb, Anne Murray and G4. The late Matt Monro also features here in a beautiful version of the classic standard Let There Be Love (audio stream).

Featuring 14 peerless collaborations, Two’s Company also features a first time pairing with Brian May and Brian Bennett (Shadows drummer).

Album tracklist:

1. Move It with Brian May and Brian Bennett
2. Anyone Who Had A Heart with Dionne Warwick
3. Miss You Nights with G4
4. Yesterday Once More with Daniel O’ Donnell
5. She Means Nothing To Me with Phil Everly
6. All I Ask Of You with Sarah Brightman
7. Let There Be Love with Matt Monro
8. Throw Down a Line with Hank Marvin
9. Fields of Gold with Barry Gibb
10. Up Where We Belong with Anne Murray
11. Slow Rivers with Elton John
12. Suddenly with Olivia Newton-John
13. Danny Boy with Helmut Lotti
14. Reunited with Lulu

Catalogue number: 377 0722

As Cliff himself explains:

“Duets are special. I’ve never got used to hearing my own recorded voice, so it’s hard to describe what I feel when I hear myself duetting with a voice I’ve always loved listening to. You’ll know all the artists who agreed to sing with me and I hope that together we’ll give you many happy musical hours!

My thanks go to each of them for generously giving their time and talents, and special thanks too to our producers, without whose help we singers sometimes flounder a little. Our album is now in your tender care. Enjoy it – we did!”

Saturday 23th September 2006:

The Cliff & Matt duet will appear on Cliff’s duet album provisionally out on November 6th – Two’s Company.

You can hear a soundbite of the track on www.cliffrichard.org under Gallery – Sound. I like it, think they gel well together. See what you think!

Monday 21th August 2006:

The Quiller Memorandum – Special Edition, region 2. Out since 8 May 2006. Matt’s song “Wednesday’s Child”, composed by John Barry, lyrics Mac David, is heard on a radio in the film.

Monday 14th August 2006:

The Matt Monro documentary is due to be repeated on Sat 26/08 at 7pm BBC4. And at 12.30 a.m. the following morning, Sat 27.

It would appear that the Matt Monro documentary is on Sat 26th BBC 4 @ 20.10; 60 mins

Saturday 5th August 2006:

Chris Savory will be playing tracks from HEART OF THE MAN – Aug 11th on BBC RADIO SHROPSHIRE 96 & 95 fm at 7.15pm-7.30pm – www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire

Saturday 5th August 2006:

CD “The Rare Monro” to be released on 04 September, 2006, EMI Gold.

Friday 28th July 2006:

24 July was the release date of “Matt At The Movies”, a DVD & CD combination containing:

Satan’s Harvest: Cutter Murdock (George Montgomery) inherits a farm estate in South Africa on which ‘Satan’s Harvest’ (cannabis and marijuana) is being grown. Along with Marla (Tippi Hedren) and Bates (Matt Monro), Cutter tries to force the drug dealers off his land….

Go Go With Monro: Shot in glorious colour and on location in London and Italy, this 1966 feature was originally made as a support feature for the cinemas.

Unseen for forty years, this half hour music show is a must for all music lovers, with Matt performing at the pinnacle of his career

Tracks include:
1. Music Can’t Be Wrong
2. Bill Bailey
3. Come Sta
4. Bridge of Sighs
5. A Lot of Living
6. Three Coins in the Fountain
7. One More for the Road
8. Get Happy (with Roy Castle)
9. Teach Me Tonight (with Marion Montgomery).

Wednesday 21st June 2006:

Ms. Christine Whitehead informs us that she has heard an interview with Sir Cliff Richard, who hopes to go into the recording studio in the next week or so to record a duet with Matt for his Autumn Duets album.

Apparently, it is not possible to do it with every Matt song, because of the tracking.

http://www.radioweyfm.co.uk/ if you wish to hear the interview that includes a Matt song, Let There Be Love. (Approx. 30 minutes into the very entertaining Sir Cliff interview).

Saturday 17th June 2006:

New CD to be released on June 17, 2006: “Heart Of The Man”. For track listing, see the discography, bottom of page.

Thursday 8th June 2006:

“Matt Monro – The Man With The Golden Voice” will be showing on BBC 2 on Monday 12th June at 7:00pm!

Sat. 01 January 2006:

mattmonro.com announces the release of the CD of the Lost Concert of Matt and Nelson Riddle.

This CD is in Limited Availability and is available to Matt Monro fans first

For more information on this magical release visit:

http://www.mattmonro.com/cd_of_month.html

Sun. 29 January 2006:

BBC4 are repeating the Matt Monro programme yet again – 15th February at 19.00 and again at 23.40, so:

DOCUMENTARY:
Matt Monro: The Man With The Golden Voice
Channel: BBC 4

Duration: 1 hour.

Neil Pearson narrates a documentary telling the story of Matt Monro, the young Londoner born Terry Parsons who became one of the world’s most popular ballad singers. Contributors include Paul Gambaccini, Don Black, George Martin, John Barry and Monro’s family.

Mon. 24 January 2006:

Lee Wilkins informs us in our discussion forum:

Matt fans may like to know (if they do not know already) that Marks and Spencer have commissioned a new Matt Monro CD entitled, His Finest. It was released on January 23 2006 and is available from M & S stores

Mon. 19 December 2005:

Added to the discography: the 2000 Reader’s Digest CD Yesterdays (3CD), with track listing.

Sun. 18 December 2005:

Mr. Bill Walker has kindly sent us photos and a newspaper article of Matt meeting with the Royal Inniskilling Dragoons at the base in Sek Kong, New Territories. And archive page.

Wed. 14 December 2005:

DOCUMENTARY:
Matt Monro: The Man With The Golden Voice
Channel: BBC 4 107
Date: Sunday 1st January 2006
2:00am – 3:00am
(times have been changed)

Duration: 1 hour.

Neil Pearson narrates a documentary telling the story of Matt Monro, the young Londoner born Terry Parsons who became one of the world’s most popular ballad singers. Contributors include Paul Gambaccini, Don Black, George Martin, John Barry and Monro’s family.

For clarity, this repeat begins at Midnight on 31st December / 1st January – which ever way you prefer it.

Fri. 28 October 2005:

Added: two sheet music covers. “Walk Away” through the discography page and “Fools Rush In” through the lyrics page. These are cover pages only. Our thanks to Paul Ruderham for submitting.

Fri. 21 October 2005:

DOCUMENTARY: Matt Monro: The Man With The Golden Voice
Channel: BBC 4 107
Date: Saturday 22nd October 2005
Duration: 1 hour.
Neil Pearson narrates a documentary telling the story of Matt Monro, the young Londoner born Terry Parsons who became one of the world’s most popular ballad singers. Contributors include Paul Gambaccini, Don Black, George Martin, John Barry and Monro’s family.

Update:

Fri. 21 October 2005:

I was on holiday so a slightly late message: the transmission date for THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN VOICE has changed to 21st October at 9pm (repeated 1.45am) on BBC Four. It will be on BBC Two at some point later on, too. Of course I will keep you posted.

It was an excellent hour-long documentary charting Monro’s life and career, accompanied by archive footage, interviews with Don Black, John Barry, Sir George Martin and Monro’s family.

Sir George Martin

Matt Monro

But most of it was also accompanied by Barry’s music from The Beyondness of Things & The Specialist – or was it Playing By Heart? Anyway, very moody JB, just right for the tone of the programme.

John Barry, OBE

Don Black, OBE

It was on the BBC’s digital only channel, BBC4, but well worth a look when it appears elsewhere around the globe.

DOCUMENTARY: Matt Monro: The Man With The Golden Voice
Channel: BBC 4 107
Date: Saturday 22nd October 2005
Duration: 1 hour.
Neil Pearson narrates a documentary telling the story of Matt Monro, the young Londoner born Terry Parsons who became one of the world’s most popular ballad singers. Contributors include Paul Gambaccini, Don Black, George Martin, John Barry and Monro’s family.

Mon. 12 October 2005:

Now available: Matt Monro: “Christmas Magic / Polka Dots and Moonbeams”

‘A special two track CD single. Includes the rare debut single released before his record deal with EMI – “Polka Dots & Moonbeams”‘

Mon. 3 October 2005:

Available on dvd: “Matt Monro – A Portrait Of”, Region 0, release date: September 26, 2005, Odeon Entertainment.

“The story of the life and career of Matt Monro. Features contributions from the likes of Tony Christie, Cliff Richard and Bruce Forsyth, as well as a selection of Monro’s tracks, including: ‘Thank You’, ‘I’m A Pommy’, ‘I Have Dreamed’, ‘I Left My Heart In San Francisco’, ‘Portrait Of My Love’ and more.”

Mon. 3 October 2005:

Friday 14th October on BBC4 (TV), 9.30pm. A documentary about Matt Monro entitled “The Man With The Golden Voice”.

Fri. 23 September 2005:

MUSIC: Saturday Swings
Channel: BBC 1
Date: Saturday 1st October 2005
Time: 21:10 to 22:10

Natasha Kaplinsky presents as some of the biggest names in popular music perform for an evening dedicated to the kings and queens of cool. Andy Williams, Jamie Cullum, Katie Melua, Simply Red, Tony Christie, Lucie Silvas, Paul Anka and the cast of the Rat Pack musical perform classic songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Dusty Springfield, Ella Fitzgerald and many more. Stars such as Dionne Warwick, Tony Bennett and Michael Buble explain why this era and its music was so special.
(Widescreen, Subtitles)

I assume this will contain the Monro clip.

Sun. 11 September 2005:

Kenny Clayton releases tribute to Petula Clark and Matt Monro.

Kenny Clayton is releasing a tribute to Petula Clark and Matt Monro that is scheduled to be released on November 21st, 2005.

The new album that Kenny has recorded is a heartfelt tribute to Petula Clark and Matt Monro. The album is entitled: “Kenny Clayton Plays Tribute to Petula Clark and Matt Monro – My Pet Sounds / A Portrait Of Matt“. The catalogue number is: KENCC CD001. The album is now available to pre-order from Dress Circle .

The album was recorded at the start of August – the finished product sounds amazing with Kenny at a grand boudoir piano playing the timeless music of both Matt and Petula. Kenny was Matt’s musical director between 1967 and 1969 and has been Petula’s MD since 1962.

The CD comes complete with extensive liner notes featuring photos of Kenny with Petula and Matt. Kenny has also written a small tribute to Petula and Matt that is featured on the back of the CD booklet.

The tracks on the album are as follows:

My Pet Sounds: Who Am I / I Know A Place / My Love / Sailor / The Other Man’s Grass Is Always Greener / Romeo / A Sign Of The Times / I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love / Here For You / Downtown / Give It A Try A Portrait Of Matt: My Kind Of Girl / Portrait Of My Love / Wednesday’s Child / As Long As I’m Singing / Walk Away / Born Free / From Russia With Love / Yesterday / On Days Like These / Softly As I Leave You

Total Tracks: 21; Total Playing time: 77m: 18s

Tim Hutton writes: After long conversations with Kenny we decided that the time was right to release a properly produced CD of Kenny playing piano of songs made famous by Petula Clark and Matt Monro.

The first song to be recorded that day was “A Portrait Of My Love” which reduced Kenny to tears as he has such wonderful memories of working with Matt. He misses Matt very much. Kenny arrived at the studio with no sheet music and played straight from the heart – the sound engineer commented that day that a pianist of Kenny’s calibre is extremely rare.

Recently Kenny was thrilled to find that the Matt DVD “One Voice” featured himself as Matt’s MD. What a find!

The Petula songs featured on the album are very much part of what Kenny does today and has been doing since 1962. Currently Kenny is in America with Petula and Andy Williams at the Moon River Theatre performing in a series nightly concerts for 6 weeks.

Kenny Clayton
www.kennyclayton.co.uk

Tue. 19 July 2005:

New album released on 18 July: The Impossible Dream. More details on the discography page . Album “Matt Sings Monro” to be released on 8 August. Same content as May 5, 1995 release?

Fri. 1 July 2005:

The official Matt Monro website has opened at www.mattmonro.com

Sat. 4 June 2005:

Some unfortunate news about the dvd “An Evening With Matt Monro” for USA viewers has come up in our discussion forum. I will quote reader ‘timotto’: “I live in the USA, and I bought “An Evening with Matt Monro” on DVD recently because it was “Region 0”. I thought this meant it would be playable anywhere on any player. But the DVD is still in PAL format, making it unplayable on USA NTSC players. And I don’t want to have to buy new equipment. So I’m stuck with this item. So, I urge the distributor of the DVD to please make a NTSC version playable in the USA. There are Matt Monro fans here too who would love to see it!“

Sat. 4 June/Tue. 14 June 2005:

Monday, 31 October 2005 “Matt Monro Jnr sings Matt Monro”. Matt Monro Jnr at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Ticketmaster website gives as time: 19:30.

Information about more Matt Monro Junior Concerts can be found here.

mattmonro.org.uk cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or changes. Always check dates and venues yourself.

Mon. 30 May 2005:

Michele Monro has announced in the discussion forum that the official Matt Monro website http://www.mattmonro.com will be launched at July 1. Good luck everyone.

Fri. 27 May 2005:

News is filtering through about the possibility of a new television documentary being made on Matt’s life and career.

If it goes ahead it should include contributions from his former colleagues and his family. More information as and when it is to hand.

Sat. 19 March 2005:

No. 1 in the official Music DVDs and Videos charts

The new DVD An Evening With Matt Monro has gone straight to the top in the BBC Top 10 Music DVDs and Videos : 13.03.2005

8 (3) : Matt Monro An Evening With (Odeon) Mar. 27
7 (1) : Matt Monro An Evening With (Odeon) Mar. 20
1 (NEW) Matt Monro An Evening With (Odeon) Mar. 13

Tue. 8 March 2005:

Official website to come!

Michele Monro mentions in the discussion forum that “we are launching the official web site very soon and will be able to have better contact with all of dad’s fans and friends.”

Sun. 6 March 2005:

An Evening With Matt Monro DVD – competition

Click for more information about the dvd

Competition results.

Many thanks for all the entries! We received only ten all-correct answers and a draw was made to decide on the six lucky winners.

Here are winners and the correct answer:

Read more

Sun. 28 February 2005:

The new album “The Ultimate Matt Monro” has entered the British album charts, BBC:

—————————————————-

30 (20) :: Matt Monro The Ultimate :: EMI :: Mar. 20
20 (07) :: Matt Monro The Ultimate :: EMI :: Mar. 13
07 (25) :: Matt Monro The Ultimate :: EMI :: Mar. 06
25 (27) :: THE ULTIMATE MATT MONRO :: EMI :: Feb. 27
27 (22) :: THE ULTIMATE MATT MONRO :: EMI :: Feb. 20
22 (23) :: THE ULTIMATE MATT MONRO :: EMI :: Feb. 13
23 (–) :: THE ULTIMATE MATT MONRO :: EMI :: Feb. 06

Sun. 28 February 2005:

BIG advert for the Matt CD on ITV. Focussing on the “perfect gift for Mother’s day”, it included footage of him singing. Maybe from the forthcoming DVD?

Tue. 3 February 2005:

20th Anniversary of Matt Monro – 7th February 2005

Sensational Matt Monro Performance Uncovered in London

Join our competition!

• Limited collector’s edition – DVD with 88 page book by Michele Monro which is updated and enlarged from the Singer’s Singer;
•     DVD edition;
•     VHS edition;The DVD will be region 0, so it will be region free and sold worldwide.The only filmed, live performance of the legendary British singer Matt Monro, has been found nearly forty years after its recording. Two unopened film reels were discovered by Matt’s widow Mickie, and his daughter Michele, in the family garage.

  Read more here and join our competition.

Mon. 31 January 2005:

Michele Monro was interviewed on BBC Radio2 by Steve Wright, promoting “The Ultimate Matt Monro”. Also mentioned briefly was the upcoming dvd and the fact that she runs the Matt Monro fanclub.

Mon. 10 January 2005:

Our website has been awarded the “Gmmy Radio Award“. Golden Music Memories Of Yesteryear: “Please accept our awards for your wonderful Matt Monro web site.”

Thank you very much for the award and we hope that this will give Matt even more recognition.

Sat. 28 August 2004:

DVD presentation package to mark the twentieth anniversary of Matt’s death.

Do you have any personal recollections, stories, memorabilia, footage, or rare photos of Matt? Please read the following:

Odeon Entertainment Ltd. is an entertainment company that is planning a DVD presentation package to mark the twentieth anniversary of Matt’s death next year.

Odeon Entertainment would like to come into contact with people have any personal recollections, stories, memorabilia, footage, or rare photos of Matt that could be used in this documentary.

The DVD is planned to feature interviews of the people in the business that knew Matt, along with footage of his performances and an 18 track CD of his most famous hits and some rarities, along with a photo booklet of his life story. The release date is planned for end of January so if there is anybody out there that has something that might be interesting for inclusion, could they please contact Wayne Allen at wayne@odeonent.co.uk

12 July 2004:

Photo added

We have added a photo courtesy of Mr. Bobby Crush, on our photos page and a link to Mr. Crush’s website

27 June 2004: Born Free – original soundtrack released on CD

A reader of www.filmscoremonthly.com has posted in one of it’s forums that it has been revealed in the July 2004 issue of the Collector’s Choice Music Catalog that the original soundtrack of “Born Free” has been released on CD, including Matt’s song.

“John Barry’s score for BORN FREE is one of the most famous ever written, and Matt Monro’s rendition of the title song was a huge hit, yet—unbelievably—this is the first time the original soundtrack album to this landmark wildlife film has been released on CD! Film Score Monthly’s loving reissue adds newly remastered sound and new liner notes to a flat-out classic.”

18 June 2004: Born Free – original soundtrack to get CD release?

Following clues offered by Lukas Kendall on www.filmscoremonthly.com “60’s bestseller goes free”, speculation is mounting on FSM’s message-board that Born Free is their July ‘Silver’ release!

May/June 2004:
New Spanish language album released, on 21 May: Super Estrellas Del Amor (CD/DVD) , Matt has seven tracks. Other artists Shirley Bassey, Demis Roussos and Jose Feliciano (see also PDF file).

Regarding this this release, we have been asked: “Could anyone tell me how i can get hold of the new spanish language cd super estrellas del amor? i have been on hmv, tower records and many other music web sites and it is not listed on any of them.”

There was a message in our old discussion forum, referring to this website: http://www.mattmonromusic.com/ There is a link there to an order form.

Please, let us know if you have more information.

March 2004:
New CD released on March 15: For the Present/The Other Side, on the EMI label.

April 2004:
New CD released on April 19: The Collection (2 discs), on the EMI Gold label.