I`ve had the most delightful day with my family. I was woken at the fantastically late time of 10:15 by Louise and the kids with a fine selection of presents and cards, both bought and home made. Then I went to see my dad with the kids.
I`ve written a few things on here about me Dad, and usually from a funny slant, but going to see him this morning I thought I should let you know about the real bloke behind King Kenny.
Born in 1929, the youngest child of Billy and Hannah, Dad was raised in Cannon Street in Middlesbrough. Cannon Street has long since been pulled down, and an Industrial Estate bears its name these days. But back then it was the heart of Middlesbrough. It`s residents at the time were poor, but got by. Dad often tells me of getting Sheeps skulls from the local butchers and looking for any cavities in them so he could suck out the sweet jelly!
Kids were often shoeless and large families would reside in the two up two down buildings, a blanket separating the lads from the lasses in the bedrooms. In the late Thirties His Dad went to see a folk band play in the Princess Alice, and during the set they actually broke out into a fight between the singer and the guitarist. The band disbanded there and then, and Grandad bought the Drummers Kit for a couple of Bob. Dad was a bugger for tapping out rhythm on anything he could get his hands on.
Dad played with the kit often and became pretty good to an amateur level. He remembers going to the Middlesbrough Empire Theatre when he was eleven, and sitting in the alley alongside, with his snare and brushes, playing along to the music coming through the open door at the side.
Following a bit of trouble at home (we`ll say no more about it) Dad had to leave sharpish and decided to go to try his hand in London. He slept rough in Hyde Park for a couple of weeks, and ate from the free biscuits given out at auditions, which he would stuff in his pockets. Eventually, and after Tutelage from Max Abrahms, Dad became a professional Drummer.
He travelled the world, and played with the likes of Tessie O Shea, Tommy Cooper, The Goons, and many others. He played on the Soundtrack of "The 39 Steps" and "Moby Dick". But he never lost his love of Middlesbrough. Following a fire in a theatre (The picture above shows dad with Billy Shakespeare the day after the fire) Dad decided he`d had enough of the music world, and returned home. He got a job with BT, where he worked for over thirty years. He met and fell in love with a Blackpool girl, and between them they had four kids, eight Grandchildren, one Great Grandchild, and an absolute Ball.
After retiring Dad decided to give our Mam what she`d always wanted and moved back to the seaside, only this time in Seaton Carew, just outside Hartlepool. They lived there for a couple of years before Mam noticed a problem when she went to the toilet. Dad didn`t know what to expect, but he travelled every step of the way with her, holding her hand, and in the darkest hours still making her laugh.
Mam died nearly three years ago, and for the first time in an age, Dad was alone. He had the kids, but they couldn`t look after him like Mary. He had his neighbours, but they couldn`t give him a cuddle and a kiss before closing his eyes on a night. The strain showed.
But the old Bugger didn`t let it break him. He continued to go on the Cruises that they had enjoyed, he would go to the local social club on a Wednesday and annoy the others by shouting "house" when he wasn`t even close to winnning. His Kids visit regularly, and speak to him most nights on the phone.
I went to see him this morning, and he looks thin and old. But Christ, he is thin and old. Within twenty minutes of being there he had given the Hal and Grace their ice cream fix, and was showing Grace how to play a paradiddle on the arm of his chair. before I left we were involved in a fifteen minute argument concerning whether a musician could really be classed as a musician if they couldn`t read music.
My Dad, the man who told me "never kick a man when he`s down" and "never give them your real name or address" regarding going out with lasses.
My Dad, the strongest man I`ve ever met, a real life Hero. King Kenny.
Till the next one, learn something new.
Mark.
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