BOBBY PAGAN - At the Organ of the State Theatre, Kilburn CD [NEW] Wurlitzer

Pagan Love Song (Signature Tune)

A Selection by Franz Lehár: Vilia / Gold & Silver Waltz / The Emperor’s Salute /  Serenade from “Frasquita” / The Count of Luxembourg / You Are My Hearts Delight / Waltz from “The Merry Widow” / When the Guards are on Parade / The Forests of Bakony

Humoresque No.7 / It Happened in Monterey / Hear My Song, Violetta / You’re Just in Love / Tiger Rag

Early One Morning / Cherry Ripe / The Lincolnshire Poacher / Drink to Me Only

Cole Porter Selection: Begin the Beguine / In the Still of the Night / Let’s Do It / I’ve Got You Under My Skin / Night & Day

Selection from “The Gondoliers” / A Hunting We Will Go

The Gaumont State Theatre, Kilburn Wurlitzer was the last 4 manual model to be delivered to England in 1937. By now prices and installation charges had risen dramatically at a time when cinema owners were looking to reduce costs. The organ may well have been the most expensive Wurlitzer delivered to Britain, when the added costs of the difficult installation are considered. A custom designed console was needed to fit the confined lift table, along with a specially designed seat, there being insufficient room for the standard bench seat.

The theatre opened on 20th December, 1937 with Sidney Torch at the organ. In the audience was a 21 year old Eric Lord, who had dashed down from his post at the Regal, Birmingham.

Bobby Pagan was born at Paisley and was to become a star figure north of the border in the 1930s. He was resident at the Regal, Glasgow and later, the Capitol and Astoria cinemas in Aberdeen. He was to become well known in the early years of WWII with record ‘hits’ such as ‘Tiger Rag’ and ‘We’re Going to Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line’. He saw the potential of the Hammond organ and became well known at venues in the north of England and Scotland. He seemed to be suited to a freelance organists life, for the 1946 edition of the Association of Theatre Organists handbook lists him as ‘independently engaged’. No shame in that for in the same column, are names such as, Freddy Baco, Reginald Dixon, Harry Farmer, Phil Finch, Leslie Taff and Frank Olsen.

At organ club meetings, microphone placement was always difficult. There was never time to do a ‘professional rig’ and placing two large BBC style ribbon microphones would often be a compromise. In the case of this recording, the listener has to sit with the audience and tolerate the toffee wrappers, coughs, creaking seats, organ shutters and blower noise, added to this are the comments of the club officials trying to ensure everything goes smoothly in the limited time available. As for Bobby, the performance is just another day to enjoy playing a theatre organ, more than likely for a modest fee too!

The organ as supplied in 1937 was a 4-16, No. Op.2215.