' HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY JOE'
31st May 2024
Remembering Joe today on what would have been Joe’s 69th birthday. One of the UK’s greatest ever entertainers, ‘incomparable’ in ev...
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REMEMBERING JOE 4 YEARS ON
2nd August 2023
Tomorrow 3rd August 2023 very sadly marks four years since Joe passed on back in 2019. Warm and cherished memories live on forever with ever...
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26
Aug
Aug
LORD ATTENBOROUGH
26 August 2014
I met this great man back in the 70s , he called by the fabulous George Pub, where I had a residency at the time, in Walton Street Hull, owned by Sandra and John Gibson, to accept a cheque on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy charity from everyone at the venue.
Remembering Lord Attenborough, what a great man, a wonderful full life, there's British for you, Deepest Sympathy to his beloved wife Sheila and all the Attenborough family, Happy Days.
Joe.
21
Aug
Aug
BANK HOLIDAY DOUBLE LINE UP AT VIVA : "FRIENDS" SHOW & MIDNIGHT MATINEE
It's almost August Bank Holiday Weekend and this Sunday sees Darren Day with Tracey Jordan, Caz Kaye, Andy Mudd and Viva's Mr Leye D Johns back at Viva for another great evening with "That's What Friends Are For".
It's been great to see everyone there each week and we look forward to seeing everyone there on Sunday.
This week there's a great opportunity to stay for the Midnight Matinee Charity Gala in aid of the Joe Longthorne Foundation with a cast list rarely if ever all seen on the same bill. The "Friends" show finishes approx. 10.15pm and there's just a short break to get the room prepared and then doors will open for the matinee at 11pm with the show starting at 12midnght.
A great opportunity to catch the best at their best, why not book for both shows and join us all for the whole evening. As always, Joe's merchandise will be on sale together with Darren's new CD and official show photos.
Book now by calling Viva on T:01253 297297 or book online at www.vivablackpool.com.
16
Aug
Aug
“THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR” DARREN DAY’S NEW CD FEATURING “WIND BENEATH MY WINGS”DARREN’S DUET WITH JOE
We are delighted to announce the release of Darren Day’s new CD “Save Me A Seat” at Viva Blackpool tomorrow Sun 17 August.
The new collection has some great songs including the long awaited duet with Joe Longthorne “Wind beneath my Wings”, this is at present available exclusively on this CD.
Also featured is Darren’s brilliant version of “Bring Him Home” as performed in the “Friends” show amongst a total of 12 tracks.
Darren’s CD will be available for sale price £9.99 at the merchandise table during the evening with an after show signing by Darren. Also available are limited edition photographs of the show’s cast also with signing opportunities.
Darren’s CD is available by mail order for the sum of £11.99 inc P & P ,send cheques made payable to JLFC to JLFC, P O Box 51, Ammanford, South Wales SA18 2WZ for credit card orders call Geraldine Vine JLFC Secretary on M : 07929 746032.
12
Aug
Aug
RIP ROBIN WILLIAMS
Tuesday 12 August 2014
Devastating news, the world hath lost probably the greatest comedian actor ever seen,the great Robin Williams.
We met whilst waiting in the make up room of Thames TV studios at Teddington Lock whilst preparing to go on the set of that great outlet for bringing young new artists on, who I was gratefully one of at the time, Des O'Conner's Tonight show. A private 5 minutes, just Mr Williams and myself. Not going to say too much about it, just to say we looked at each other and were both in stitches laughing. A very special 5 minutes in my life I never want to forget.
Deepest sympathy to Robin's family and all who loved him on the planet.
Born to be funny and a true comedy legend, in his own words "Nanu nanu".
Joe.
12
Aug
Aug
BLACKPOOL GAZETTE REVIEW: THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR"
Published 12 August 2014
There aren’t many nights where you can be treated to Take That, Cliff Richard and Stevie Wonder with a dash of Les Mis all at once.
But that barely scratches the surface of Viva’s Sunday night show this summer.
Originally a residency for local legend Joe Longthorne, several of his showbiz pals have stepped in to create That’s What Friends Are For as he recovers from throat cancer surgery last month.
Headlining is Darren Day, the once squeeky clean pop heartthrob then tabloid-dubbed love rat who has rebuilt his life and career.
Known mainly as a musical theatre performer, with leads in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Summer Holiday, Darren also has a neat line in impressions - something he readily credits Joe for having inspired him in, hence being treated to such a diverse line-up all in one show.
After a first half, opened by Viva host Leye D Johns and the Viva Showgirls, with music from Carol Kaye, Tracey Jordan and Andy Mudd, who did an impressive Billy Joel set, Darren took to the stage - winning over the many dedicated Joe fans in the audience with his charming manner.
Impression highlights of his hour-long set included gags as Billy Connolly and Ronnie Corbett and songs as Gary Barlow - a clean vocal, as well as caricature renditions from his band mates Mark Owen and Robbie Williams, and an uncanny Liam Gallagher. Classic impressions included Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis, all greeted with smiles and laughs of recognition.
But it was his vocal prowess which most impressed. Who knew he could knock out musical classics Bring Him Home from Les Miserables and This Is The Moment from Jekyll And Hyde quite so well?
I was surprised when he said he was offered the role of Jean Valjean in Les Mis a few years back, and would agree he probably doesn’t have the stamina or skill to sustain that level for eight shows a week.
And a large standing ovation brought the set to an end, after a duet of tear-jerker candle song Wind Beneath My Wind with Joe, recorded days before his operation. Although Joe wasn’t there in person, his presence was very much felt throughout the show thanks to various artists’ tributes throughout.
That’s What Friends Are For, Viva, Church Street, Blackpool, Sundays 7.30pm. Call 01253 297297.
11
Aug
Aug
DON BLACK SENDS JOE SPECIAL GET WELL WISHES ON RADIO 2
Don Black, the multi award-winning lyricist sent Joe an extra special get well message last night on his Radio 2 show and played his version of "My Funny Valentine", here are his words to Joe.......
"My very dear friend Joe Longthorne has been ill recently and I've had some requests to play a record by him. Joe is, to use a phrase you don't hear anymore, an all round entertainer. He's a thrilling performer with a huge fan base, so Get Well Soon Joe, I wanna spend a lot more years bowled over by your amazing talent".
10
Aug
Aug
LATEST MESSAGE AND UPDATE FROM JOE
Sun 10th August 2014
Hello,
I popped into the Royal Preston Hospital for the doctors to give me a check over and they seem to be very pleased with my progress so far. However they do stress, as is the case of anyone who has undergone a 12 hour procedure, that it will be a marathon rather than a sprint before I will be back to tapping on all cylinders. I’m advised to get plenty of rest and quiet relaxation and to let my body heal during this convalescent period, so for now I’m working on being back at Viva for the 14th September.
So, I’ll be pulling back for a short while, you know what I’m like, as soon as possible I’ll be announcing what I feel is great news, once it’s all in place.
So till then my thoughts are always with you, thanks for all the flowers and cards, it gives me great cheer to see them all and for the donations we are already receiving for the Joe Longthorne Foundation.
I really am excited about the future so for now take care and you’ll be hearing more from me as we go along.
God Bless
Joe x
07
Aug
Aug
THE JOE LONGTHORNE FOUNDATION PRESENTS BLACKPOOL'S BIGGEST EVER MIDNIGHT MATINEE !
The Joe Longthorne Foundation are presenting a spectacular Gala Charity Evening on Sunday 24th August 2014 at Viva Blackpool.
The show starts at 12 midnight, doors open at 11pm after the completion of the "That's What Friends Are For" Sunday show.
West End star Darren Day headlines the show and as the show poster announces there is a fantastic cast list as follows :- Hilary O'Neal, Johnnie Casson, Gerry Boyle, Carole Kaye, Leye D Johns ,Tracey Jordan, Stephen Pierre, Claire Daye, Scott Conrad, Johnny O'Connor, Nikki Miller, Matt Andrews, Sean Mcrae, Stacey Rafferty, Back to Back, Jo Little, Cinzia Lanza, Joe WIldy, Jo Ashcroft, Alice Barry, Peter Anthony, MD Andy Mudd and his Band, Vaughan Kennedy and Steve 'Elvis' Bailey.
Tickets can be booked by clicking HERE or call the Box Office on T: 01253 297297.
Maybe if you can 't make it you might consider a donation , the contact for the Foundation is Geraldine@joelongthornembe.co.uk M: 07929 746032. Please send all cheques made payable to 'The Joe Longthorne Foundation' to JLFC PO Box 51 Ammanford, South Wales SA18 2WZ, thank you.
Hope to see as many of you as possible on the night.
05
Aug
Aug
THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR"
Here's some photos from last Sunday's "That's What Friends Are For" Week 2. Great to see everyone there for the show, and the after show nibbles in the Round Room.
Come along to the show, meet all the stars of the show and then send all your photos in to be included in this brand new gallery HERE
02
Aug
Aug
JOE’S ‘MIDNIGHT MATINEE’ VIVA BLACKPOOL SUNDAY 24 AUGUST 2014
Joe Longthorne is presenting a very special ‘Midnight Matinee” on Bank Holiday Sunday 24th August 2014.The show will start at midnight after “That’s What Friends Are For”. Joe has chosen three fantastic worthy causes to benefit from the evening as follows:-
Cystic Fibrosis
Queendeans Association
Dr Kelsey at the Blackpool Victoria Oncology Unit
Joe’s friends and special guests will perform on the evening and Joe will be on stage, already signed up for this glittering midnight cabaret are:-Darren Day, Hilary O’Neil, Leye D Johns, Johnnie Casson, Tracey Jordan, Carole Kaye, Peter Anthony, Jo Ashcroft, Jo Little, Steve Jordan, Alice Barry, Stephen Pierre, Cinzia, Joe Wildy, Vaughan Kennedy and Back To Back.
There’s more to come and of course a few surprises along the way. The show is hosted by Leye D Johns with the VIVA Showgirls.
Come along to enjoy a fabulous show all personally overseen by Joe, tables can be booked out for you and your friends to have a great evening in the knowledge that these 3 exceptional good causes will benefit at the end of the day.
Tickets are now on sale at Viva Blackpool click JOESMIDNIGHTMATINEE for on line booking or call the Box Office after 10am on T: 01253 297297.
Joe looks forward to seeing you there and hopes you will join with him in supporting these very worthwhile beneficiaries of the show.
