George Psaradakis
Through a series of events in July last year, one driver from Stagecoach became ‘famous’ for his bravery and conduct during one of London’s most turbulent events. George Psaradakis is known to most people in this country as the driver of the ill-fated number 30 bus that was torn apart by terrorists in Tavistock Square. The courage shown by him on that day and since is a lesson to us all, not just bus drivers and is certainly a message to terrorists. George returned to work proving that without a shadow of a doubt his job was important to him, as are the lives of the people that board his bus every day. I am not sure I could have been so courageous and from one driver to another, I salute him.
Famous Bus Drivers?
When you type “Famous Bus Drivers” into a search engine it doesn't’t return the kind of searches I am after. It returns searches about famous buses….I ask you! The Spice Girls Union Jack bus features in there, On the Buses features but not the actual drivers.
I always knew there was one famous driver but as it turns out he only did 3 months for London Transport before becoming one of England’s finest entertainers.
So who is he?
Terence Edward Parsons was born on December 1st 1930. He was the youngest of five, living his early years in Shoreditch East London. During his 12 year army career he began to enter ‘talent’ contests and won several times earning himself a guest spot on a Hong Kong radio show called ‘Terry Parsons Sings’.
When Terry was ‘de mobbed’ he became a bus driver to make ends meet but at night still chased his dream of being a professional singer. He managed to talk a few musicians into recording with him and that’s how Terry Parsons first studio record came to be. It was made in Glasgow and called “Polka Dots and Moonbeams”.
While driving his number 27 bus he strived to earn his name as a singer in the evenings. Singing under different names his big break came with the Harry Leader Band. While he sang at night and drove during the day, copies of his Glasgow recording were sent to all of the important people in the music business and came to the attention of Winifred Atwell. So impressed by the clarity of his voice she organised an audition with Decca Records. They decided to try something new and launched this new unknown singer with an LP and recording contract. The LP was called “Blue and Sentimental”. Terry Parsons, Al Jordan and Terry Fitzgerald needed a new name. Matt Monro was born.
I emailed the website and got a fantastic email back from Michele, his daughter, who gave me permission to use some of the copy and photographs from http://www.mattmonro.com/ and for that I thank her! My Nan adored Matt Monro, one her all time favourite singers, preferring him to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. She said “When he sang, you stopped and listened. He could bring a factory and its machines to standstill.” My Nan passed away in 1997 and it was deemed appropriate to play one of Matt’s finest songs at her funeral. “Softly As I Leave You” was her favourite song and couldn't’t have been more appropriate for the occasion. Matt’s last single “And you Smiled” came out in 1973, the year was born.
One of Matt’s last performances was at the Barbican in London. A sell out night and one that was highly praised by critics and public alike after being forgotten about for so many years. With a standing ovation of over seven minutes, Matt was overcome with emotion. It is said that this performance was the best of his career, in constant pain and possibly knowing it would be his last could have sparked the critically acclaimed performance.
In 1984 Matt Monro died at the age of 54. While in hospital he received a telegram from an old friend, Frank Sinatra from ‘One boy singer to another’. And after Matt’s death, Frank said of his old friend “his pitch was right on the nose: his word enunciations letter perfect: his understanding of a song thorough. He will be missed very much not only by myself, but by his fans all over the world” It was a tragic loss to the music business. Thankfully he has left us with a wealth of beautiful recordings.
PSVDrivers is more than happy to promote Matt’s work, not only for the joy he brought to millions in both English and Spanish, not only for the joy he brought to my Nan but for another reason. Ladies and Gentlemen, it was only for a short time but he was one of us, don’t forget it, be proud of it and tell everyone who doesn't know.
Again I would like to that Michele Monro for allowing us to use her words and pictures.
A truly remarkable singer and one that should not be left on the shelf.
For a full description on the brilliance of Matt’s voice and his life please visit http://www.mattmonro.com/biog.html
And for his CD’s and recordings, we have found them here.
Music from crooners and stars of the mid 20th century are coming back. My Nan said that fashions go full circle, and they do but Matt’s music and his voice have never been far from the public eye so let’s keep it that way.
Thank you for reading
Amanda Smith PSVDrivers.COM
All material copyright © Monro/EMI 2005
Fans Reunited
It’s official – The second ‘Fans Reunited’ event will take place on Tuesday 2nd October 2007, which also coincides with the first night of my brother’s new tour “Matt Monro – His Life, His Music”
The venue, will once again be, The Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 2UE and the event will begin at 3.00pm
and run until 6.00pm. This year we will have full use over the whole Foyer thus giving us much more room. For those attending the concert that night we will stay within the theatre until the doors open.
The theatre is well situated and has 200 free car parking spaces outside; it also has good access for the disabled. There is a bar and bistro in the foyer from which interval drinks or tea and coffee can be ordered.
The afternoon kicks off with a welcome drink and later a fork buffet, which will also cater to vegetarians, and those that were there last year can certainly vouch for its success. There will be a question and answer session, autographs and photographs if you wish so don't forget your cameras. We will also have a Swap Meet area so if you have any rare items you would like to trade or sell please bring them along. Even if you don’t want to trade you can still bring any items that you wish to show off. This year we thought we would include a music quiz to bump up the fun.
Steve Woof, my partner in crime at EMI is donating something equally exciting this year, which will be our star prize in the raffle. It is a one off and something I think all of you would like to own.
The cost of this private limited event will be £25.00 per person It will include food, soft drinks and a ‘goodie bag’. Wine can be ordered at an extra cost.
The ticket price for members of “Friends of Matt Monro” is £20.00 each and you will need to quote your membership number when applying.
Payment is by cheque made out to M.MONRO. Please send to the address below and make sure to supply full names of all people in your party, your postal address, phone number and e-mail if possible.
Michele Monro
c/o 9 Heritage View
Harrow
Middlesex
HA1 3TN
England
For any overseas guests you are welcome to pay by Paypal www.paypal.co.uk The e-mail address attached to the account is michele@mattmonro.com
Please remember to bring your ticket with you; you will not gain access without it because of theatre security.
If you wish to attend the concert as well, tickets would have to be booked separately although they are not officially on sale as yet. The direct booking line is 020 8561 8371 and one can get updates of ticket release on www.getlive.co.uk/hayes
One of our members has recommended a hotel if anyone needs accommodation and apparently it is fairly close to the venue: Hayes Premier Travel Inn - 0870 197 7132 or 020 8561 1158. They have quoted me £68.00 per room
I leave for America at the end of July and will not return to England until a few weeks before the event. Because of this the
final date for ticket sales will be 20th July. Tickets are still limited so it will be done by first come first served. I am sorry but because of the limited numbers all monies received are non-refundable.
Any updates will be posted on the Forum at www.mattmonro.com
We look forward to seeing you there; don’t forget your cameras
Best wishes
Michele, Mickie, Matt Jnr and Max
Map
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?pc=UB32UE
Directions
The Beck Theatre is located off the Uxbridge Road
By Road: The Beck Theatre is on Grange Road, just south of the A4020 Uxbridge Road, which runs from Shepherd’s Bush to Uxbridge. If you are traveling west along Uxbridge Road, turn left at the traffic lights by Uxbridge County Court. If you are traveling east turn right at the traffic lights. By motorway, take the M4 junction 3 exit and follow the Hayes by-pass to the A4020 Uxbridge Road, turning left at Lombardy Retail Park. Follow the Uxbridge Road west for approx 1 mile, turning left at Uxbridge County Court.
Nearest Rail: BR Paddington to Hayes & Harlington.
Call National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50
By Tube: Metropolitan or Piccadilly line to Uxbridge.
By Bus from Hayes: Buses 90, H98 and 195. Night bus N207 to/ from Trafalgar Square.
By Bus from Uxbridge: Buses 207 and 607
