Grand Opera House York – Wednesday 25 September 2019
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
3***
Back in the sixties Billy Fury enjoyed success, with several hits in the charts. With some two dozen hit singles he was frequently referred to as “Britain’s Elvis”. Though painfully shy off stage, he had a magnetic on stage presence, blessed with good looks, a great voice and a mix of sexual rebel and a vulnerable little boy, a killer combination. Unfortunately, with this winning formula he was plagued with ill health, due to contracting rheumatic fever, which curtailed his career. Ultimately this saw his premature death in 1983, at the age of 42, just as he was about to release some new music.
For Halfway to Paradise, a celebration of his music, his backing band from the 1970’s, Fury’s Tornados, wanting to keep his music alive, has teamed up with Colin Gold. Gold appeared in Stars in Their Eyes 23 years ago as Fury, and has been touring with this show ever since. Playing most of his songs, it was a couple of hours of a song packed show.
Though older than Fury was, Gold takes on his persona, strolling onto stage with his gold jacket, collar up and hair quiff. Each of the band Charlie Eston, Chris Raynor, John Raynor and Graham Wyvill provide solid support for Gold, each member having their own spotlight moment. What made the show more interesting were the stories told by the band of Fury, and their experiences with him. Another plus was the big screen behind with photos, and tales of the time.
I’m not sure why I chose to see this particular show, I suppose I thought I knew Billy Fury’s music, but I didn’t. I only really knew one song, the title piece, and I suppose as a result I did find it quite hard to get fully immersed into the show. Even though I did not know the tunes, they were quite easy to pick up and I was jigging along in my seat and “silently” singing along to the songs, luckily for those sat near me.
The audience seemed happy enough with the cheer at the end. An evening of celebration and nostalgia, but probably suited to certain generation, who certainly remember a talent who could have been so much more, if only his health had held out. Today, the day after the show I was speaking to a friend, who is the next generation up from me, and she had actually been to see the real Billy Fury in his heyday. She was full of praise and talked about his stage presence and what a looker he was, so I suppose it is only right that we are still celebrating his contribution today.