For the second year running Chas was
elected King Rat of The Grand Order of Water Rats. This has only occurred on
seven occasions since the G.O.W.R. was founded in 1890.
The culmination of the Rats year, as
always, was in the Grand Ballroom at Grosvenor House on 28th
November. This year the theme for the evening was, Take Me Back To New
Orleans.
During
the dinner Anita Dobson received the Showbiz Personality Trophy and
Sir Norman Wisdom the Lifetime Achievement Award. He earned
a standing ovation performing impromptu, his famous hit Dont Laugh
At Me Cos Im A Fool.
(Anita Dobson, Brian May, Irena
Foster-Brown, Sir Norman & Chas)
Headlining the cabaret was the Big
Chris Barber Band, with support from Mike Sanchez, both paying tribute to the
various sounds of New Orleans. The entrance of the Big
Chris Barber Band was
in true New Orleans marching style, even down to the second line and the langinappe of coloured beads and pralines. The room came alive with all the
cheering and stomping. The Grand Ballroom being a perfect setting for such an
occasion.
Comedy was provided by Billy Hunter
with his hilarious New Orleans funeral sketch and Johnnie Casson, who truly in
a class of his own, had the whole room falling about with laughter.
At the end of
Chris Barbers set, Chas
presented Chris with The Living Legend Award, a fitting tribute for over 50
years at the top. It is hard to believe that Chris and his trumpeter, Pat Halcox have been playing together for over 50 years.
At
this point Chas asked Chris if he would play the double bass in a
skiffle jam session
Joining them both on stage were; Rick
Wakeman on piano, Joe Brown on mandolin, Brian May on guitar and Chas
daughter Kerry on washboard. The resulting session was pure magic and the
audience went wild, asserting later that this was an unprecedented climax to
such a wonderful evening. The group opened with Freight Train and then
Brian sang Im Just A RollinStone, & they closed with Mama Dont Allow
accompanied by the Big Chris Barber Band.
Numerous
guests from the world of entertainment added zest to the already electric
atmosphere.
Brian May & Gloria Hunniford.
Albert Lee, Frank Allen, Chas,
Brian May, Bruce Welch.
Andrew Sachs (Manuel).
David Oxtoby, Albert Lee, Frank Allen
Asa Hillsley, Kerry McDevitt & Chas
Rick Hardy & Bruce Welch.
