This Video re-loaded May 2017 "George Formby" excerps or as near as you can get to a Ukelele on a Wurlitzer. This Wurlitzer has been moved to Saltaire.
When I was at school (53 years ago - ouch!!!) working towards my 'A' level music exam we were given a new dictionary of music - I can no longer remember who compiled it - but being a theatre organ lover even at that age I immediately turned to 'W' and there, to my delight was an entry for 'Wurlitzer Organ'. My delight was short lived as the entry read 'An instrument of the pipe organ family designed to play any anything other than one honest note of music. Its demise is not to be mourned'. OK, that's not the actual wording, but very, very nearly so. I loved them in 1969 and love them as much, if not more, in 2022. Truly wonderful instruments on so many levels. Floreat Robert Hope-Jones and Rudolph Wurlitzer!!
As soon as the vid started bloody ell your a Formby fan.Beautiful memories of my 20 years at the GFS Blackpool not to mention the 100s of branch meetings.Thanks for posting.Absolutely love the sound of the Wutlitzer.George would be proud !
Does John still play and is there any place in the world where people can still go dancing to the Mighty Wurlitzer. I am wishing there was someplace close to Canada where you could go dancing to the sounds of the Wurlitzer plus my Dad is an organist for over 50 years and i'd love for him to have a chance to play one of these where people still dance
Hi, Sean Yes John is is still playing regularly both in the Tower at Blackpool and at concerts and Tea dances certainly there are plenty of places in the UK. you and your father could have a Wurlitzer playing experience in the Tower for an Hour. There are many Wurly's in the UK. If you came over you would be welcomed. I dont' know if there are many in Canada but I do know there are many in the States. If you wish I can send you a DVD GRATIS to your contact address. Roy Nelson You can also contact him on his web site John Bowdler.com
John's technique and selections are always "top drawer." Wish the one recording would have not wandered about from the keyboards, and fault him/her for not switching from horizontal to vertical to take in the pedal board action along with the keyboards. Hope you will learn and showcase John's skills better!! Thanks for the availability of this practice session though.
My old organ teacher used to hate cinema organists with a passion. Said they could not play a straight tune without sliding up and down the keyboard and sticking in millions of grace notes.
And sadly, that mentality of organists from the “Baroque Revival” era of the organ world is the reason why the Wurlitzers died out of fashion. As organists, we should be embracing all forms of instruments - classical, theater, digital, analogue, “fun machines”, et al…
Bright and breezy Blackpool style.. Liked to just sit in the Tower Ballroom and listen, never danced though.
Excellent John.
When I was at school (53 years ago - ouch!!!) working towards my 'A' level music exam we were given a new dictionary of music - I can no longer remember who compiled it - but being a theatre organ lover even at that age I immediately turned to 'W' and there, to my delight was an entry for 'Wurlitzer Organ'. My delight was short lived as the entry read 'An instrument of the pipe organ family designed to play any anything other than one honest note of music. Its demise is not to be mourned'. OK, that's not the actual wording, but very, very nearly so. I loved them in 1969 and love them as much, if not more, in 2022. Truly wonderful instruments on so many levels. Floreat Robert Hope-Jones and Rudolph Wurlitzer!!
As soon as the vid started bloody ell your a Formby fan.Beautiful memories of my 20 years at the GFS Blackpool not to mention the 100s of branch meetings.Thanks for posting.Absolutely love the sound of the Wutlitzer.George would be proud !
Does John still play and is there any place in the world where people can still go dancing to the Mighty Wurlitzer. I am wishing there was someplace close to Canada where you could go dancing to the sounds of the Wurlitzer plus my Dad is an organist for over 50 years and i'd love for him to have a chance to play one of these where people still dance
Hi, Sean Yes John is is still playing regularly both in the Tower at Blackpool and at concerts and Tea dances certainly there are plenty of places in the UK. you and your father could have a Wurlitzer playing experience in the Tower for an Hour. There are many Wurly's in the UK. If you came over you would be welcomed.
I dont' know if there are many in Canada but I do know there are many in the States. If you wish I can send you a DVD GRATIS to your contact address. Roy Nelson
You can also contact him on his web site John Bowdler.com
Wow geil super spielst Du herrlich klasse.Monika aus Gemany.
Браво !у меня есть друг -немец , Он играет на органе , Ес Тудей , Ханс Лиске из Шильдау Саксония Германия ,
I believe John is humming along with the music.
Très bon Wurlitzer et très bon organiste!! Bravo John !!
Super excellent with very good interesting video
Excellent use of the combination pistons and stop selections by john,the Wurlitzer taking it in its stride!
Breathtaking! The countless voices of the mighty Wurlitzer in perfect combination. Bravo, John.
Great Music, nice to relax too. Keep up the fine playing on the greatest organ in the world.
You know how Monty Python sketches kinda drive home how life is a bit of a joke? This instrument is the sonification of that feeling.
John's technique and selections are always "top drawer." Wish the one recording would have not wandered about from the keyboards, and fault him/her for not switching from horizontal to vertical to take in the pedal board action along with the
keyboards. Hope you will learn and showcase John's skills better!! Thanks for the availability of this practice session though.
My old organ teacher used to hate cinema organists with a passion. Said they could not play a straight tune without sliding up and down the keyboard and sticking in millions of grace notes.
And sadly, that mentality of organists from the “Baroque Revival” era of the organ world is the reason why the Wurlitzers died out of fashion. As organists, we should be embracing all forms of instruments - classical, theater, digital, analogue, “fun machines”, et al…