Here are some photos from cameraman Bhasker Solanki of the lighting crew on Pebble Mill at One, setting up for a fashion item on the banks of the River Rea.
Andy Frizzell at the back, Peter Booth in front, Keith Bullock holding the lamp stand. Photos by Bhasker Solanki, no reproduction without permission
Keith Bullock and Andy Frizzell on lighting, possible Jack Rook on camera
With the sad death of the Queen, I was reminded of her 1981 visit to Pebble Mill. This was to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the building. Here are a couple of shots of her visit to Pebble Mill at One. Pebble Mill at One deputy editor, Jim Dumighan showed her around.
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission
The Queen visiting the Pebble Mill at One foyer studio in 1981. Photo from Keith Brook.
The Queen visiting Pebble Mill in 1981
The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Stephen Hawkins: My Mother, Joyce Hawkins, who was Head of the Costume Department, has asked me to state that “In advance of the Queens visit HM named one person she would like to meet. That person was George Collins, a dresser in the costume dept. Much to the genuine surprise of everyone. They had a private conversation.
David Short: I had just joined Pebble Mill as a camera assistant and worked on the Royal visit.
Norman McLeod: Fortunate to be presented in Radio Studio 1. Charmed as everyone was. Palpable memories still treasured together with the pictures, which I am still searching for! Requiescat in Pace.
Harold Rich: As she passed me and my musicians she turned and said “Are you the backing?”
Creative commons photo of Gorbachev, by John Mathew Smith, 1997
Photographs by Mel Stevens, no reproduction without permission
Paul Coia presenting
These photos of Pebble Mill at One date from May 1986. Paul Coia presents an item on ‘I Ran the World’, the sports aid spin off of Live Aid. Some people thought Sebastian Coe and Paul looked similar, so the production team decided to invite him on as a guest and join in the show. Apparently, Paul Coia still has the T-shirt.
Photos by Bhasker Solanki, no reproduction without permission
These photos of the US performer, Peggy Lee are from a show called ‘Peggy Lee Entertains’ from 1981.
The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Maggie Humphries: That’s me in the middle audience with Aunt and Uncle, it was an amazing night and I was just talking about it a couple of days ago, great music, great memories.
Jane Mclean: I PA-ed it. THINK Bob Langley presented it.
Annette Martin: I Vision Mixed the show. It was a wonderful evening in the 80s. Peggy had difficulty walking so she rehearsed in a wheelchair with an assistant moving her to the various positions on the stage! It was surreal but come the show she moved superbly- what a pro and her voice was fabulous- a VM highlight for me and everyone involved. I think John Smith Directed and Jim Dumighan was involved.
David Ian Bellinger: Worked with Pete Moore, her MD all week – first in the radio studio for Radio 2 and then that weekend – one of my most memorable times in 25 years at the Mill, No band could have been more prepared for that diamond of a TV Music Show ….. Oh – so many memories of this. When Pete asked me to add strings to a Paul Whiteman original arrangement I nearly passed out – finished it with minutes to go – yes the ink was still wet! Didn’t sleep for three days. My time at the Mill? I’d have paid the Licence Payers (Bless’Em) for the honour and spending my time with my second family every day at work.
Carole Haysom: Yvonne Brockbank was the make up designer.