Young musicians given a chance to shine

Partygoers danced the night away when singer Vince Eager staged his annual rock ‘n’ roll show in Grange Hall, Radcliffe.

Revellers were treated to a mixed bag of music, beginning with a folky blues set from local band, Delta Sun.

The trio — singer Kym Bignell, guitarist Danny Armstrong and bass guitarist Martin West — performed their own compositions as well as covers. Kym proved she had a powerful voice in Colour Me Blue, Nottingham and Daddy Be Good, while Dan wrote and performed the lovely Indian Summer.

There was then a short set from The Vale’s Got Talent winner, Alice, 16, who sang and played her own compositions on guitar.

Her sweet voice wowed the packed crowd in Some People, The Clock and Soldier, a single that will be released as a download to raise money for Help For Heroes.

Vince Eager, backed by The Memphis Tones, then took centre stage to rock the night away, starting with the upbeat It Was A Night.

Vince, who has not lost any of his prowess or dance moves, paid tribute to Lonnie Donegan with The Midnight Special, as well as Johnny Kid with Shakin’ So Much, Eddie Cochran with Summertime Blues and Elvis Presley with The Wonder Of You and Suspicious Minds.

He performed lots of bubblegum pop such as the swinging It’s Fabulous, Gumdrop, Baby Blue and Soda Pop.

You could almost hear a pin drop as Vince belted out Roy Orbison’s Running Scared and Conway Twitty’s It’s Only Make Believe. He then got everyone singing along to Marty Wilde’s Teenager In Love.

Vince performed his own song, Rocking At The 2I’s, which told about his singing career, and his signature tune, I Don’t Want No Other Baby But You.

During the evening Vince had a lot of banter with the band, saying they should be called The Rockin’ Relics, and said he would be recording a new album later this year.

Vince’s son, Simon Taylor, ended the night with a raunchy and rockier set of upbeat songs, including Mustang Sally, Down To The Doctor, Unchain My Heart and Kansas City Here I Come.

An excellent, entertaining night giving young talent a chance to shine alongside a veteran rock ‘n’ roller. Long may it continue — DAB.