WITH regard to your article about the Palais on August 14, my dad, Phil, would have been delighted and amazed that his band would have been remembered after 50-plus years. Derek Healey’s father, Johnny, hired Phil as a pianist in 1938, a positive step in his musical career.
After demobilisation, Phil returned to the Palais in 1946, and in 1952 he formed his own band and hired the highly talented Derek.
In 1971, whilst in London, Derek arranged for Phil to watch a Tony Bennett recording session.
Phil was delighted and fascinated by the rehearsals, last minute changes to arrangements, takes and top quality professionalism. He was very impressed by the consideration and friendliness shown to him by the session musicians, all ex-Ted Heath.
They had all served their musical apprenticeships in town big bands in dance halls, as described in your Palais article.
Philip Foster Berkshire
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