SCOTS BAND THE RONAINS GET SEAL OF APPROVAL FROM LEGENDS

SCOTS band The Ronains have had the seal of approval from a legendary singer after their new single attracted more than 1.8 million views on YouTube. 

Rockers Jim Reid and Debi Ronain and their band first recorded House of The Rising Sun in 2019 and their atmospheric video even features their guitarist and ‘brother’ Shaun Scott who sadly passed away not long after the band released the iconic video by Partickular films which can be seen on YouTube. 

After notching up millions of views across their social media platforms online, and after it was picked up for Netflix by gangster documentary Faces, the band decided to release it officially for download this week.

They’ve now received a message from original lead singer of The Animals Eric Burdon who had a hit with the song in 1964. 

And Eric who is now 82 years old didn’t hold back on how great he thought their version was, with fans now calling it the ‘best version ever’.

After hearing Debi’s vocals Eric wrote in an email: “She's absolutely magnificent, raw and the harsh and acidic qualities you're hearing might just be the result of her unique vocal style and the raw emotion she pours into the song. 

That being said, music is subjective, and what matters most is how it connects with the listener.

 I Ioved it and loved the style of how the track flowed from start to finish.

This song is nearly 60 years old and it really hits my heart strings, makes me so proud to know young bands are still singing it. Great job. Up The Ronains.”

Eric’s manager also commented: “I let Eric hear your version of the song and I have to say he absolutely loved it. There's been a variety of covers over the years but certainly none as unique as this one and the vocals of the singer are incredible.”

Jim Reid said: ”We’ve had a lot of comments from all over the world saying it’s very possibly the best version ever. We teamed up with Simple Mind’s Gordon Goudie and Rolling Stone’s producer Matt Colton on this which was amazing and we changed the song up a bit at the start and end, adding some extra lyrics. To have the seal of approval from Eric Burden takes things to a different level and we are buzzing. 

Debi added: “When I heard the news Eric had listened to the song i was speechless. It’s such an iconic song, thats been covered a million times over so the very fact he heard it and  took the time to even email us left me gobsmacked. 

He described my vocals exactly the way I wanted them to be received. When I sing that song I do so from the pit of my stomach and feel every word, those lyrics are mighty and if even one person can be moved by them, well then my job is done.”

House of the Rising Sun is available for download on all music platforms now.

https://ditto.fm/house-of-the-rising-sun-the-ronains

https://youtu.be/gDhcUFWNSB0?si=TxEjkgSMIrxm3kzv

SIR BILLY CONNOLLY IS READY TO ANSWE YOUR QUESTIONS

Sir Billy Connolly will be holding a Question and Answer sessions with his fans around the world as part of his new book promotion.

The Scots comedy legend recently wrote his bestselling autobiography, Windswept & Interesting which sold more than 230,000 copies within its first month of sale.

And to celebrate, next week he plans to give fans some of his precious time to talk about his life.

Billy will chat with writer and broadcaster Damian Barr across his own Facebook and Waterstones Facebook on December 8 at 7:30pm.

The event is FREE and fans can put in their questions via the hashtag #AskBilly on social media from now.

Waterstones’ audience development manager Will Rycroft said: "After the joy of sharing Billy's brilliant autobiography with readers we’re thrilled to be able to bring them together with the man himself for this unique event.

"That word unique is often overused but feels entirely fitting here, and we’re already intrigued to hear what answers we might get on the night."

Billy who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2013 turned 79 last week and fans will be keen to see him after he received birthday greetings from around the globe.

Billy has always been a favourite of theshowbizlion.com and we’ve met him in numerous occasions throughout the years. 

His candour and sincerity shine through and the Q and A promises to be fun for all fans.

ANNIE LENNOX GETS SET FOR NOVEMBER RELEASE

WHEN it comes to Scottish icons they don’t get much bigger than Annie Lennox who, with over 83 million albums sold, plans to return this November.

 

Annie  is releasing a digitally remastered version of her sixth solo album, A Christmas Cornucopia - a collection of inspired interpretations of traditional festive songs, rounded out by a Lennox composition, “Universal Child” on November 20.

 

The 2020 re-issue of A Christmas Cornucopia will be released via Island Records to mark its 10 year anniversary just in time for Christmas. It will feature a brand new, previously unreleased track, “Dido’s Lament”, a new tracklisting, and new artwork (across all formats – vinyl, CD and digital). 

 

The showbizlion.com is particularly pleased to hear of Annie’s return as we have had the pleasure of hosting and supporting at The Circle charity events in Glasgow. The Circle is Annie Lennox’s Charity to help women in need and it does great things around the globe.

Annie said of the album:  “I’m absolutely delighted to be releasing the 10th Anniversary of A Christmas Cornucopia. 2020 has been an unprecedented year around the world… The carols on this album represent continuum -  harking back to a time before modern technology, climate emergency, global pandemics, pollution, forest destruction, species extinction and all the challenges our world must urgently deal with in terms of crisis in sustainability. I hope this recording will at least offer some comfort and nostalgia, but also an awareness that political leaders, religious leaders and everyone around the world must face up to the question of how many more Christmases we have left to spend on this blighted earth.” Min ;

 

“Dido’s Lament” - written by Henry Purcell in the 17th century and arranged by Annie Lennox and Mike Stevens -  references the tragic love story of Dido and Aeneas as documented in Virgil’s legendary epic poem, The Aeneid, from the 1st century BC. It will be released as the lead single from the album on 10th November and will be accompanied by a music video (out 12th November). 

 

All proceeds earned from Annie’s original composition on the album, “Universal Child”,will be paid to The Annie Lennox Foundation.The Annie Lennox Foundation raises money for various charitable projects, primarily those supporting and educating women and children in Africa and people with HIV/Hepatitis C in Scotland.

 

The music on A Christmas Cornucopia was mostly played by Lennox, in collaboration with co producer Mike Stevens, and originally recorded in his southwest London studio – at the bottom of his garden in 2010. But to achieve the resonance and vibrancy that were integral to Lennox’s ideas for these re-energized reboots, the pair also worked with a 30-piece orchestra at Pinewood Studios. And they travelled further afield too: to South Africa, to record with the African Children’s Choir, a remarkable organization with which impassioned campaigner and activist Lennox has long had a relationship.

 

A Christmas Cornucopia is far from a saccharine packaged selection box. As befits its title, it offers an abundant track listing drawn from British, French and German traditions covering the well-known alongside more untrodden ground. It’s broad spectrum encompasses a wide range of narratives and emotions – from joyful and celebratory thorough melancholic and haunting to poignant and timely. On “Lullay Lullay”, for example, Lennox draws direct links between the Nativity and the plight of Africa’s child soldiers. 

 

Vibrant but vintage, classic and contemporary, glorious but with a polemical edge, Annie Lennox’s A Christmas Cornucopia is no ordinary collection of seasonal songs. 

 

 

A Christmas Cornucopia 2020 re-issue - tracklisting

 

Vinyl:

A-Side

1. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

2. The First Noel

3. Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant

4. See Amid the Winters Snow

5. Silent Night

6. Universal Child

B-Side

1. Angels From the Realms of Glory

2. The Holly and the Ivy

3. As Joseph Was a Walking

4. Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

5. Lullay Lullay

6. In the Bleak Midwinter 

7. Dido’s Lament

 

CD:

1. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

2. The First Noel

3. Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant

4. See Amid the Winters Snow

5. Silent Night

6. Universal Child

7. Dido’s Lament

8. Angels From the Realms of Glory

9. The Holly and the Ivy

10. As Joseph Was a Walking

11. Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

12. In the Bleak Midwinter

13. Lullay Lullay

 

Streaming:

1. Universal Child

2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

3. Silent Night

4. Angels From The Realms of Glory

5. The First Noel

6. Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant

7. Dido’s Lament

8. The Holly and the Ivy

9. Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem

10. In The Bleak Midwinter

11. See Amid The Winter's Snow

12. Lullay Lullay

13. As Joseph Was A Walking

 

 

PRE-ORDER THE 10^th ANNIVERSARY RE-ISSUE OF A CHRISTMAS CORNUCOPIA HERE: 

https://AnnieLennox.lnk.to/ChristmasCornucopia

 

JACKIE STEWART SUFFERED PAINFUL OP DURING LOCKDOWN

Beverley Lyons 
RACING legend Sir Jackie Stewart has suffered cracked ribs, broken wrists, shoulder injuries and skin cancer, yet he claims an operation he had during the early weeks of lockdown was the most painful experience he’d ever suffered. 
Three time Formula One champion Sir Jackie, 81, from Milton in Dunbartonshire has been spending isolation at his idyllic home in Switzerland with his dementia stricken wife Lady Helen and her two dedicated neuro nurses. 
Having won 99 Grand Prix as well as Formula 1 races in 1969, 1971 and 1973 he is nicknamed The Flying Scot and is regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of motorsport. 
As the last surviving Formula 1 world champion from the 60s, he has encountered his fair share of accidents and had his knee and hip replaced through the passage of time, however an operation to his right foot just weeks before his birthday this month put him in need a pit stop. 
He said of the injury: “Well it’s sensitive, put it that way. My right foot did a lot of work in its day. When men were men, we had to wear very light shoes and then we had two pedals for the right foot and only one pedal for the left foot so the left foot is in great shape. The right foot has been abused and it’s amazing. If you look at my hands here you see that is the big toe. Let’s assume that’s these are the other four. The doctor cut them all in two pieces and put them all together in the right place. That was three weeks ago and they said it would take seven days before I could walk properly. It’s painful - The most painful thing I’ve had ever because your weight is all in your foot.”
He laughed: “I’m a married man. I’m used to pain.”
Jackie also took the opportunity during his In The Pink podcast interview to express his fears over Formula 1 taking place without a British Grand Prix. 
He said: “I hope that doesn't happen. That should not be allowed. That's why you've got to have quality and you've got to have integrity and you've got to remember history as well. It would be a mistake. In any case it would be said to have no spectators there. But not to have a British Grand Prix when you consider that Britain started Formula 1 grand prix racing, it was the first time ever there was a world championship Formula 1 race, and it's had such a strong history with tremendous attendances always, to lose that I think would be a disaster for motor sport. I think if they're not careful, that could be the beginning of not such a good time.”

KIRK DOUGLAS SANG I BELONG TO GLASGOW ON SCOTS TRIP

Exclusive 
Beverley Lyons HOLLYWOOD star Kirk Douglas waved his $75,000 plus fee after agreeing to speak in Glasgow for a charity dinner - and he told of his love of Scotland as he sang I Belong to Glasgow.
Theshowbizlion.com can reveal that the Hollywood A-lister insisted upon talking for no money and no expenses after deciding it was a cause close to his heart.
Kirk, who came to Scotland as a guest of the Jewish National Fund in 1995, made a personal phone call to the then chairman of the charity Stanley Lovatt after hearing that funds from the night were going to help a project in Jerusalem.
Stanley explained: “I approached Kirk’s agent in New York and he advised me his fee would be 75,000 plus expenses which was very expensive. I told him we couldn’t afford it. 
“It was funny. The agent asked me a few weeks later what the proceeds were going to and I told him it was for a project in Jerusalem.”
He asked if I had the details so I couriered a video and brochure of the project in Jerusalem to the agent in New York who passed it onto Kirk Douglas  in LA.“
Stanley couldn’t believe it when he got a personal call from the star a few weeks later.
He said: ”I was out shopping with my wife Carol and one of the boys from the committee said a guy claiming to be Kirk Douglas called and will phone you later. 
“He phoned me later that day and was the real deal. He was very charming on the telephone and said I will endeavour to come because I know what the project is and I made a movie there called  Cast A Giant Shadow. He insisted there was no question of a fee and that he wanted to pay all his own expenses.” 
Kirk arrived into London and Stanley had organised a private jet through the BBC’s Pebble Mill to bring him to Glasgow while he was being  interviewed by Gloria Huneford.  
He said: “He was absolutely charming. I went down to London to meet him and he was an absolutely incredible individual, charming, polite and very friendly. He told a story about visiting Edinburgh before and even sang I Belong To Glasgow.”
On the night Kirk indeed referenced his birth name Issur Dabiekovitch which he said he would have kept if he was going to be a ballet dancer, he added: “I’m glad to be here in Glasgow with a name like Kirk Douglas. “You know with my new name I went to New York City to attend a dramatic school and I rented a little room in an attic, and across the hall lived Bill Henderson. A short stocky fella from Glasgow. Now he was delighted to meet me, A fellow Scotsman. He asked ‘Now what part of Scotland are you from?’ Well I said that I might be somewhere east and south of Scotland like Russia.” 
Well he said ‘With a name like Kirk Douglas I’ll buy the first round.’ On Saturday nights we’d have a few beers when we had enough money and he taught me a Scottish drinking song. No as we see in movies cut, fade and dissolve into 40 years later. I was in Edinburgh Scotland for a big charity benefit for the Queen of Britain. Everybody was rushing round just before the curtain went up when I heard over the loudspeaker ‘ladies and gentlemen Mr Kirk Douglas’. I said ‘What do you want me to do?’ And they said ‘just do something’. The curtain went up and I thought of Bill Henderson. The Queen of England was in the audience and I had no musical accompaniment and I was in Edinburgh. Did I have guts?  This is what I sang. I belong to Glasgae. I tell you that song got a better reception here than it did in Edinburgh.”

FREDDIE MERCURY WAS EMPLOYED FOR FOUR YEARS IN SCOTS SHOP

THE Scot who employed Queen star Freddie Mercury for four years in his London market shop says watching new film Bohemian Rhapsody made him well up because it was just like reliving the past.
Glasgow born Alan Mair, who had huge success with sixties boy band The Beatstalkers, owned a leather clothing and boot stall at Kensington Market when he first encountered a long haired Freddie at the end of 1969.
He said: “It was late 69 when I got the clothing stall and Freddie and Roger got a shop unit there a few months after, three doors away from me in the upstairs section. Freddie was selling his art as well as second hand clothes but his shop wasn’t busy.”
Alan, whose leather trousers, skirts, jackets and matching boots became sought after by London’s cool kids including David Bowie, and Noddy Holder offered Freddie a job.
He said: “By 1970 I had my stall in Kensington, another on Kings road and a factory.  I said to Freddie ‘Can you look after the shop in the morning?’ because I was busy at the factory. Freddie’s shop hadn’t taken off, so he could come to my place  and keep an eye on his along the passageway.”
Although no mention was made in the movie of Freddie’s market days, Alan, who was called by researchers for the film early in the process, felt like he was reliving his past when he saw Rami Malek play a young Freddie.
He said: “Mary was in Kensington market with Freddie and although they didn’t mention it and almost glazed over Biba, when I saw Rami with his long hair at the start of the movie it was like a step back in time.
“Freddie’s affection for Mary was spot on. He definitely only had one person in life at that time and that was Mary. If we were hanging out on Saturday night it was him and Mary. In the market they were known as girlfriend and boyfriend and Mary was a very sweet and lovely person. Developments regarding Freddie’s real persuasion came later.”
Smile’s first gig is something Alan recalled fondly.
He said: “I went to the first gigs by Freddie’s Smile band -including Imperial College and they were fantastic. Roger and others were students there so would get gigs there. That is where the film really portrays Freddie. He was perfectly flamboyant if not a bit awkward. Freddie developed over the years and he would change his style so much it was hard to get a sense of what he looked like at the start so it was a real flashback.”
He added: “Freddie wanted me to come to the gigs because I had been a musician. I did say to him once, early on, that he pushed his voice quite hard at gigs, just being excited by it all. He’d go a bit sharp and I’d say it in the nicest way, not after the gig in his dressing room, but later on in the week when we were back over at the shop unit. I just told him: ‘Be a little careful because you are going sharp a bit-hold back a bit’. You could be honest with him.”
Alan employed Freddie for four years and said he was articulate and honest - although, as the film suggested, he was known for being a little late at times.
He said: “Fifteen people were working for me and I never needed to do a stock check with Freddie. I could tell I could trust him. Some people in Kensington market would tell me Freddie opened the stall at eleven amnot ten am, but in the shop the stock was always sold so I didn’t mind whether he was there at ten am or not.”
Freddie and Alan would often have a soft drink on Saturdays after work at the Greyhound pub in Kensington.
He said: “Being married with a son, I didn’t go out much. Freddie and I would get soft drinks and play snooker.”
Freddie worked in the shop until ‘74 even after getting his record deal and Alan, kept in touch with him, occasionally popping into his big house for an ornate cup of tea.
Alan said: “We’d reminisce. I was backstage at the sold out Hyde park Concert and I saw him in LA in 1980 when I played with The Only Ones. In ‘75, I saw him after the Hammersmith Odeon show when it was all going to his head and he was a different Freddie. For want of a better expression he was being an a***hole. When we supported the Who for six nights at the Forum all of Queen came in. I went to say hello but remembered how he was, changed my mind and walked away. I heard some heels clip clipping behind me and it was Freddie who said to me: “I know I’ve been a bit of an a***hole but I’ve put all of that behind me.” We spent the rest of the night having a drink and chat.
“ In the film Freddie eats humble pie and that shows the true heart of the person. He was very kind and thoughtful and I got emotional when I saw the hardships he’d been through. It was like a tapestry of my life - but through Freddie’s eyes.”

Sent from my iPhone

HEARTBREAKER LEGEND DIONNE WARWICK SERENADED BY SCOTS TEENAGERS IN GLASGOW

SHE was going to Walk on By, but Dionne Warwick stopped in her tracks as she was serenaded by a group of teenagers outside her Scots hotel.
The singing legend had performed at Glasgow’s Armadillo and was making her way back into the Blythswood hotel when she was treated to the impromptu performance.
Three young members of five piece Scots pop band G Side had wanted to meet her so decided to give her a rendition of her famous hit Heartbreaker in a bid of grab her attention - and it worked.
Dionne who was with her granddaughter at the gig listened intently to the singing trio before thanking them with a bow of the head and stepping inside the door.
Her granddaughter told me afterwards: “That was awesome.”
Earlier in the day Dionne had become emotional when she was shown pictures of Whitney Houston by one of her Scots fans. 

MUSIC LEGENDS THE JACKSONS TURN SCOTTISH FOR CHARITY AHEAD OF SCOTFEST GIG

Beverley Lyons
HERE’S music legend Tito Jackson trying out his awful Scottish accent to wish punters a great new year ahead of a Scots music fest next July.
Taking time out from his tour, the Blame It On The Boogie and ABC singer tried out Scottish slang like Hoots Mon and Lang May Yer Lum Reek as well as admitting he couldn’t wait to explore the capital’s haunted dungeons as he teamed up with Scotfest to give 500 free tickets to deserving children.
Tito and his famous brothers The Jacksons are coming to Edinburgh to play Scotfest eighties and nineties music event at Ingliston’s Royal Highland Centre on July 6 and 7.
The singer, who has just celebrated the band’s fiftieth birthday this year said:
“We love Scotland and can’t wait to play our full stage show for the first time at Scotfest in Edinburgh in July. We might even have a tour of the castle and haunted dungeons when we’re there.”
Revealing that organisers of the big bash have donated £12,000 worth of free tickets to the NSPCC with their blessing as a special present to those in need, he added: “My brothers and I are so happy that we and other artists can help the children of the NSPCC through Scotfest.
“It is important to remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves at this time of year. It’s a lovely idea for a unique New Year present and it will be great to see them boogieing to our music over the two day festival.
We are looking forward to meeting with other artists including Five Star, and Boyzone during our summer trip to Ingliston.”
Tito who reckons the impending visit will be pure brilliant managed to mispronounce Edinburgh in our video but also sent a New Year message to fans saying ‘Lang May Yer Lum Reek.’
Scotfest is bringing other acts including Liberty X, B*witched and 5ive as well as local talents Blue Delta, The Session and Timed Out to the 35,000 capacity event which takes place the same weekend as Glasgow’s TRNSMT festival.
Festival boss Mark Bennett who ran the PKD festival in Dunfermline for eight years which was nominated for Scotland’s Best Outdoor Festival in the Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards, alongside events like T in the Park, is hoping to offer a family friendly event.
He said: “Charity has always been at the heart of the festival and we are delighted to team up with NSPCC this year. We’ll also be offering lots of child friendly activities during the festival and have special areas to keep the children safe while their parents enjoy a great weekend out.”

CHAKA KHAN GETS THE DISCO BALL ROLLING IN GLASGOW

AIN'T nobody does it better than Chaka Khan and the veteran disco queen proved it in more ways than one with a disco balling set at Kelvingrove bandstand.
As the crowds over spilled onto the streets of Kelvin Way, a determined Chaka was on fire as she performed a greatest hits set of her hottest anthems from over the years.
The crowd were always going to be in the palm of this icon's hands on this perfect summer evening which saw Jazzie B warm up the sun blessed crowds with a rhythmical DJ set before Chaka herself took over,
And as she took to the stage with a historic back catalogue the ten time Grammy award winner was a real powerhouse as she effortlessly belted through her hits.
The sound was a mix of disco infused soul and funk which saw Chaka free flow her notes from high to low.
Starting with the funky and smooth Do You Love What You Feel it was only a matter of time before Chaka sprang into hits You Got The Love, and I'm Every Woman, Chaka's original hit in 1978 which was later covered as a huge dance track by the late great Whitney Houston.
 Ain't Nobody, complete with lunging dance moves, was rolled out for the witching hour with the audience singing and bopping along to every word.
Us Glasgolians, as Chaka so eloquently called us, knew we were in the presence of greatness as the 64 year old showed us how to do things according to the Queen of Funk.
We didn't want the party to end as we left the West End amphitheatre so we didn't stop. A street sound system gave us the beats as we partied on for an impromptu street fest showing the world that love prevails over evil at a time when terrorist factions are trying to stifle us.

BLACKADDER STAR TONY ROBINSON HAS HIS PIE AND EATS IT IN SCOTLAND

BLACKADDER and Time Team star Sir Tony Robinson couldn't believe it when fans showered him with macaroni cheese on his trip to Scotland.
The actor and presenter who is best known as Baldrick and his famous phrases like 'I have a cunning plan' was appearing in Glasgow and Edinburgh for his No Cunning Plan book signing.
He told his online followers he was
'Looking forward to lashings of Macaroni cheese pie' but never expected them to take him up on his suggestion.



Tony who was in Scotland with his wife said: "I said I fancied macaroni cheese. The next thing I knew they were suggesting all sorts of macaroni cheese to me including deep fried pies. Someone even brought one to the book signing."
Phil from Falkirk was amongst those who made the extra effort,
He said: "I took diplomatic responsibility to welcome Tony Robinson to Glasgow with a formal presentation."


Tony was also collecting donations for Movember as he sports a moustache for the first time in ages but he admitted he couldn't wait to get rid of it.


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

JOHNNY BEATTIE DOESN'T WANT TRUMP TO JUMP OUT HIS CAKE

RIVER City star Johnny Beattie is hoping for the best birthday present ever for his ninetieth - for Donald Trump to fail in the US election.
Johnny, who was given a special luncheon by the Scottish Showbiz Benevolent Fund to celebrate his 63 years in showbiz and ninetieth birthday said: "I turn ninety on November 9. It's the day after the big election between the two funny people over in America. He would have done well over here in our variety business - Donald Trump. By god what a turn he'd have been - Donald Chump. Is that going in cause he'll sue me? He's sued everybody else so he might as well sue me. Nice to sue
you to sue you nice.


He added: "The best present for my ninetieth would be for Donald Trump to not be president of the United States because let's face it, we're all doomed if he is."

Excerpts of this article appeared in the Sunday Express

- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

PELE MEETS FORMER OPPONENT IN WEIRD TWIST IN GLASGOW

SOCCER superstar Pele was left in shock after a competition winner at his private dinner in Scotland turned out to be one of his opponents in the sixties.
The Brazilian legend was left grinning from ear to ear after seventy one year old Mickey Walker presented him with a photo of them both playing a match in the 1960s at the bash in Glasgow's Crown Plaza.
Pele remarked: "He told me he used to play against me. I thought he was joking. He kicked me a few times."
Doncaster lad Mickey who now lives in Scotland part time did indeed used to play against Pele - twice as a striker with the Los Angeles Wolves North American soccer league.
He said: "I couldn't believe it. I just brought a picture of me with him and didn't expect to meet him like that. We played twice together - once in LA and the other in New York. The picture I have is when we played in Los Angeles at the Rose Bowl in 1968. The score was four two to Los Angeles and I got one, the third goal."
At the New York match we lost four two and Pele scored two and was magnificent.
I also played against Vava, Peles playing partner in Brazil in San Diego and in Los Angeles."


Mickey brought the photo with him on the off chance he might meet the veteran champ.
He said: "He's the worlds greatest player, better than Messi."
When Pele told me I'd kicked him I knew I wasn't the only one. It was the only way to stop him playing. I wasn't a dirty player but that's how you did things then. It was a tough era and he was one of the toughest."
These days the game has gone soft and you're not allowed to spoil the actual theatre. If Pele was playing today with non contact tackling he'd probably be able to score more goals than Messi and Ronaldo put together."
Pele spent a good few minutes catching up with Mickey and was as shocked as he after Mickey won a painting of him during a game of Heads and Tails. Mickey said: "He couldn't believe a player from his era was in the audience. He hasn't really changed physically and looks very good for his age. I'd like to think he remembered me too but you never know. I'm still shaking. He put a wonderful finale to my years as a coach manager ambassador and player of football and it's a privilege to meet him socially."

Extracts of this exclusive article appeared in The Sun 

- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com