If anyone can help with information about Nicky Welsh please e-mail Christine at aldridgeharrison@tiscali.co.uk

~

From Madeleine Hill

I was Dorothy Squires’ show hostess for a concert in Leeds that was held at the Astoria in the early 80s. My Dad produced the show and was friends with Dot - what a formidable lady! I think I ran when she came onstage! She was swearing at the time, mind, LOL. Anyway, the reason I am e-mailing is that if you know so much about Dot you will most certainly know the pianist Mike Terry. Apart from my Dad producing Dot’s show, he also did a couple for Mike - my parents were good friends of his. I have been desperately trying to get hold of Mike - the last place we heard from him was Barcelona. My father John Prince died in November 2009, but we just could not find a contact for Mike - I wondered if you had any idea where I can find him now, or perhaps his roadie David? I’m not a weird stalker by the way -I was Ronnie Hiltons’s daughter-in-law! Thanks for your help. Mike would know me better as Maddy Prince.

If Mike is out there, please contact Maddy at maddy.hill@hotmail.co.uk
- or anyone else who can help her for that matter

~

From Mandy Squires

My name is Mandy Squires - my father Archie Squires who died in 1973 was a cousin of Dorothy’s. I am now 50 years old and remember staying at Dorothy’s. I am not sure how they are related as I have no information. My dad’s parents died before I was born. If you are in touch with Emily, I wonder if you would be good enough to forward this to her. We must be related and I would like to get in touch just to say ‘hi’, maybe to exchange life stories and find out more about my lost relatives. I hope this finds you well. Warm wishes.

~

From Clare Wase

Hi, I am e-mailing you to say that my granddad Ronald Wood, who died many years ago, always said he was some kind of cousin to Dorothy Squires. Could this be true, or just a silly rumour? To fulfil my curiosity, a simple yes or no would be fine. Many thanks.

I’ll forward this e-mail to Dorothy’s niece Emily who is the most likely person to help answer your question. Or, if anyone else can help, please contact Clare at clare.wase@sky.com

~

From Carol Lanning

Hi, I am doing some research for a family member whose mother, named Barbara Shaw (or Coates) was Dorothy’s best friend when they were in London. Her daughter Dorothy May was named after Miss Squires and the godfather was the actor Richard Attenborough. Can we find any confirmation of these events? It would have been in the early years in London.

Please contact Carol at Carol_Lanning58@tiscali.co.uk

~

From Holger

Thank you Dot for everything. What can I say? My feelings are so strong, words are meaningless living in a world without you.

~

From Eve Gee

I am tracing some information on an entertainment agent named Jack Segal who was working in London in the 1960s before he was killed in a car accident in April 1969. Jack Segal was the grandfather of one of my best friends and, although they never got to meet, my friend has been inspired by him to work in entertainment. So far I have managed to contact a couple of the acts Jack Segal managed and someone has passed me the billing for the Jack Segal Benefit Concert held at the Saville Theatre in London’s Shaftesbury Avenue in June 1969. I saw that Dorothy was on the list of artists who performed, and I wondered if there is any archive material that you have, or any details for anyone I can contact, to see if they can tell me more? I would be so grateful if you have any information you could share with me, as it would mean so much to Alex to find out more about his grandfather.

If anyone can help Eve, please contact her on Eve.Gee@reallyuseful.co.uk

~

From Alison

Hi there, my name is Alison. I’m just asking if you could help me out. I’m looking for Dorothy Squires’ biography for my Mum. I would be grateful if you could advise me where to buy the book. Kind regards.

~

From Roberta Woods

Like many others who have commented on the website, I felt sure there must be a biography of Dorothy Squires and am still shocked that this is not so. There are biographies available from 20-something Big Brother housemates with nothing of interest to relate, while Dorothy’s Greek tragedy of a life goes untold. I know you are planning a ‘coffee table’ style book, but surely Dorothy’s story needs to be told in its entirety? I was drawn to her, not through her music initially, but by her fascinating life - as I am sure other people would be too, if they could read her story. I think I might attempt a biography - what do you think?


This is a frequently asked question. Unfortunately Dorothy’s autobiography was never published because of legal reasons and, although there has been talk of a biography being published, nothing has yet appeared. How about it, David Bret (author of excellent books about Dietrich, Piaf, Gracie Fields, Doris Day, Mario Lanza, George Formby and many others)? Or maybe Roberta herself should get to grips with the dramatic story of Dorothy.

~

From P. Haley

I used to help pianist Mike Terry as a roadie some years ago, and really enjoyed his music. Me and a friend called Gordon Smith used to go with Mike to his shows when he lived in Leeds. His honky tonk piano was signed by a lot of stars and was very heavy. I wonder if Mike is still around? I would like to contact him or find out if he is playing in the UK. I still have one of his records at home which he gave me, and I would like to ask Mike to sign it.
If Mike is out there, please contact me on phaley@37.com

~

From Vaughan

I am currently doing some family research. My father, who is now deceased, was Les Baguley who was Dorothy’s musical arranger and accompanying pianist for a while, and used to tour with her. He also wrote the music for some of her songs, most notably Come Home To My Arms. As a child I met Dorothy on a few occasions and even sat on her knee! I have very fond memories of her. I also met Roger Moore at this time. I am trying to find any photographs from that period, particularly stage shots. Perhaps all the photos are lost of her onstage with my father in the background playing, but I knew that there were some in existence. Thank you for your help and for maintaining such a great website.

~

From Karen Jenks

Hello, I have in my possession a signed black and white picture of Dorothy Squires. My husband’s late grandmother met her and had it signed ‘To Ivy, love and best wishes, Dorothy Squires’. It is original, not a photocopy, and was personally signed. I was just wondering how much it would be worth?

Anyone interested in making Karen an offer should e-mail her on karenjenks@talktalk.net

~

From Greg

I wonder if you could help with a query? A long, long time ago I remember hearing Dorothy Squires on the radio. I think that she was about to do a show in Wimbledon but I might not be right with that. She sang a duet with a guy from a show she had been writing. I wonder if it was the same show she talks about on the Drury Lane album? Anyway, it has intrigued me for years. Do you have any idea who she would have been singing with, and if it was ever recorded? Any info will be much appreciated.

Can anybody out there help Greg with his enquiry?

~

From Bob Marsden

Hello! I notice Dorothy singing several songs on You Tube. Are they not available on video or CD? I am a keen collector of older entertainers but have nothing of Dorothy’s to view.

Sadly, there are no commercially released videos or DVDs of Dorothy available, although there are several floating around that have been recorded by fans from her two few TV appearances. Check out E-bay regularly to see if any are available.

~

From Carl

Any news yet about the plaque they are supposed to be putting up in Llanelli? I first heard about it some time ago. Also, why are there no more re-issues of Dot’s recordings? I’ve love a new copy of Dorothy Again!, which was originally released on EMI Records. Mine is worn out. Thanks for being here.

~

From Kenny Martin
I was wondering if the albums Dorothy Again! London Palladium 1972 and Cheese & Wine (featuring some duets with Dennis Lotis) could be released on CD? I am sure there are many fans who would appreciate that. . Perhaps the EMI The Essential Dorothy Squires could also be re-released on CD? This would fill a complete CD and these two or three albums are long overdue for being re-issued. I am sure that other fans will agree.

No news about the plaque, I’m afraid, but I’m sure that there will be more re-issues of Dorothy’s recordings in the future.

~

From Plug Davies

Tom Jones had a number 2 hit with Till. Have I got that right? No mention of this on the website. Perhaps you could enlighten me. Also, someone should push to get Dot’s book published. If a copy exists, I know many people will be interested to read it. I wonder who’s skittish about seeing their name in print?

Tom Jones did reach number 2 with Till in late 1971, some time after Dorothy’s own chart success. However, it should be pointed out that while Tom’s version reached a much higher chart position, he had the benefit of plenty of TV exposure at the time, quite apart from being the top British male singer of the period. Shirley Bassey is another legendary Welsh performer who recorded the song, and Tony Bennett reached number 35 with Till in 1961. Singer/impressionist Joe Longthorne has, in the past, imitated Dorothy performing Till in his stage act. Imagine if there had been a recorded collaboration between Dorothy, Tom and Shirley, a la The Three Tenors?

~

From Alison and Richard

Hi. we came across a silver medal in a Welsh antique shop. After cleaning it, I saw the inscription: ’Presented to Dorothy Squires’. Any ideas if it is the same lady?

Doubtlessly it belonged to Dorothy, who was often gifted with jewellery by her devoted fans. I don’t know the history of this particular item or how it ended up in an antique shop. Can anyone throw any light on the matter?

~

From Briggy Smale

I wonder whether you could help me in locating Dorothy Squires’ plot at the Streatham cemetery where she is buried? My uncle Trevor is a huge fan of Dorothy’s - he wrote her many letters over the years and you very kindly sent him an order of service from her funeral. I am imagine that the cemetery is pretty vast so any guidance would be gratefully appreciated.

You’re right - the cemetery is huge! Dorothy is buried near the top end to the left (there is a row of houses nearby). However, it would be best to ask at the cemetery office at the main entrance for clearer directions and to get the plot number.

~

From Vera Ure

Would it be possible to get the lyrics for Dorothy’s song Say It With Flowers? My grandfather used to sing it to my grandmother, but he has sadly passed away, so we are putting together a scrapbook for her birthday and wish to include the song.

Anyone who can help Vera, please contact her at verau@talktalk.net

~

From Bruce Martin

First, thank you for your fascinating website - certain people’s names should be kept alive, and Dorothy’s is one of them! I remember Dorothy saying (I think) at the 1970 Palladium concert that her sister ran a pub in Islington, London. Would you happen to know which one this was? I would like to visit it, if it still exists!

~

From Francesca Shashcova

Hi, I have some photos of Dorothy from when my mother worked with her. Indeed, it is thanks to Dorothy that my mother became a singer as she told her she was wasted as a dancer and must sing.  So mum did! She went on to sing with Vic Lewis and toured extensively in the Fifties.  She gave it all up for domesticity in the late Fifties.  Sadly Mum died last year and I inherited all her theatre memorabilia.  I would be happy to scan the originals and mail them to you, if you would like!

Many thanks for the kind offer, Francesca - sorry to hear about your Mum. Look forward to putting the photos on the website.

~

From Shelley Delamere e-mail: sg19810@icsmconnect.co.uk

Hi there, I would be grateful if you could please pass my e-mail address to Emily Squires.  I understand many years ago from my late Nan that Dorothy was a relative of mine (I think third cousin, or something) and I have always been curious as to how we were related.  I would like to make contact with Emily in the hope of establishing some background.

~

From Matt Yeuill

It is now more than ten years since we lost Dorothy and I have opened a memorial page on the Gonetoosoon.org website.  If any of the fans would like to leave a message on it, that would be great.

Nice gesture, Matt.

~

From Graham Smith

Yesterday in the Fazakerly British Legion one of the 20-odd singers sang Mother’s Day and I asked my pal, Ken, aged 72, about it  and he told me it was a Dorothy Squires number.  I really only heard of Dorothy through her marriage to Roger Moore and dismissed her as just another female singer, but now I must find her songs and listen to her.  She would be, I think, an Aries but maybe a Pisces. Was she on the cusp?

Dorothy’s birthday was on March 25 which made her an Arian.

~

From Lucy Fox

I am looking to buy the Dorothy Squires biography for my grandmother but I haven’t had much luck! I have searched the internet and I was just wondering if you could point me in the right direction.

Sadly, Dorothy’s autobiography was never published because of legal problems

~

From Jeffrey John

My thanks to Alec Jones of Llanelli’s Heritage for the pictures and news of the demise of the Astoria in the town.  Dorothy and Billy Reid acquired it in the early Fifties and, thanks to them, I became ‘stage struck’ as a kid. To learn that the Astoria has been demolished is very sad. Thanks for all your continuing work on this site.

~

From Julie Maas

My sister and I have been doing our family history and we have been told that our auntie Gertrude (Stein) worked for Dorothy Squires and Roger Moore.  Can you please confirm this and any other information. Gertie passed away while travelling to Australia in the Sixties.  She was on her way out to live with her sisters.

If anyone can help Julie, please e-mail her on Julie.Aaron@bigpond.com

~

From Bob M

I cannot believe that nowhere are there any DVD or video recordings available of the lady. Help!

There has never been a commercial release of either a video or DVD, although there are some floating around in private hands.  Try YouTube where there are quite a lot of clips of Dorothy to be seen.

~  

From Bryan Yeubrey

I first met Dot back in 1968 when, as a young songwriter, I ‘foolishly’ took a song to her home in Bexley.  I didn’t do too well that day.  Five years later, in 1973, I was formally introduced to her, when she opened a store in my home town of Wolverhampton. From that day we became lifelong friends. I would often stay at her home in Bray, sometimes we would go out to dinner or to shows. When she was in the Midlands she would stay with my wife and I.  Dot looked on me as the son she never had.  We sometimes worked on songs together, but mainly we spent hours on the telephone.  Anyone who knew Dot knew that a call from her could be a marathon and sometimes she didn’t stop for breath … or to let you squeeze a word in!  She was a marvellous lady, ‘seemingly’ tough to outsiders but the sweetest person once she knew that you could trust her.  She was my friend for many years and it was an awful day when she died.  I was very proud though to carry her coffin at the Streatham funeral in April 1998.

Bryan has kindly written some more memories of Dorothy, which can be found in the Memories section of this website

~

From Azalie

I am hoping you will be able to help me. On the Dorothy website you mention a woman Dorothy knew called Marie Roberts.  Ms Roberts was part of a group called Terry’s Juveniles until about 1930.  My grandmother Queenie Dennis (nee Dickson) was a member of that same group when she was 15, in 1929.  She is now 94 and remembers performing as though it was yesterday.  I was wondering if you would know is Ms Roberts is still alive and, if so, how I might get in touch with her.  I would love to find out more information about the group to bring back to my grandmother.  Thanks for any help you can provider!

Glad to report that Marie is still very much with us, and that Robert Foxall who wrote the piece about her for the website has been able to put Azalie in contact with Marie.

~

From Anne Edgar

Just a thought, re. the Dorothy website.  Why don’t you put a link there to the YouTube clips for Dorothy?  I have just been looking at them and was so pleased to see the Russell Harty interviews that I had forgotten about.  Lots of other clips too.

~

From Ken Nanson

I have a perfect recording of Have I Waited Too Long (on Decca Records) by Dorothy, if any of her fans are interested.  My e-mail address is kenneth@nanson.fslife.co.uk

~

From Euthemina Prince

Dorothy Squires wrote several books.  Why have they not been published?  I have enquired at libraries, etc, but with no joy.

Dorothy wrote only one book, Rain Rain Go Away, her autobiography.  Extracts were published in a Sunday newspaper (I believe the Sunday People), but the book was never actually published because of legal action.  It is believed the original manuscript remained with the publisher (Everest Books) while a second copy was seized by the bailiffs when Dorothy was evicted from her home in Bray.

~

From Amanda Donkin

I am presently organising a lifetime in racing award for the retired jockey Jimmy Bourke, and one of his proudest memories is being retained as jockey for Dorothy’s horses.  I wondered if you had any information or pictures which I could use as part of this tribute to his contribution to the horse racing industry?  Many thanks for your time.

Anyone who can help should e-mail Amanda direct at adonkin@racingwelfare.co.uk

~

From Carol Brace (and also Steve Watson)

I have been trying for months to obtain a copy of Till.  Please can you help me, or let me know who would stock this item?

The hit single version of Till was included on President Records’ I Am What I Am CD collection, which is now difficult to find in conventional record shops.  Try E-Bay or Amazon, as they quite often have the CD listed.

~

From Michael Allan

This is a really nice website and thank you.  It has been a pleasure looking at it. My mother, who passed away six years ago, was a big fan of Dorothy and I also became a fan.  Music is a great thing.  Although I am 45 now I have played in some good rock and metal bands and still enjoy this type of music from the Seventies and Eighties.  You night ask where is the comparison? Well, in my world sheer passion, feelings and Dorothy’s great singing performances are just as exciting to me as any rock concert I have ever seen.

~

From Ian Walker

For a long time now I have been listening to my very old vinyl copy of Cheese And Wine.  Is there any chance that this wonderful album will be every issued on CD?

Along with the 1973 live album Dorothy Again! (on EMI Records), Cheese And Wine (issued by Pye) remains unissued on CD.  Part of the problem may be that the album had only a dozen tracks (as was the norm back then) and several of those were Dennis Lotis solos, so there is certainly insufficient material from the album to warrant a complete CD release.   We can only live in hope that they will be re-issued in some CD form.

~

From David Green

Hi there.  Thanks for a great website.  I wonder if you could tell me any info you might have on Nicky Welsh, who produced and arranged for Dorothy Squires.  I cannot find any information about him on the internet.   I have always enjoyed the President and Palladium recordings and would like to know more.

Sadly, Scots-born Nicky died many years ago now.  I first came across his musical arrangements when he worked with Cilla Black back in the mid-Sixties.  He arranged and conducted several of the tracks on her Top 10 album Cilla Sings A Rainbow, as well as her 1966 Top 10 hit Don’t Answer Me, and Yesterday which was the B-side of Cilla’s big hit of the same year, Love’s Just A Broken Heart.  Later Nicky worked with Lena Martell, arranging many of her big-selling albums, and also arranged and conducted for Karen Young’s late Sixties hit. Nobody’s Child.  He of course worked extensively with Dorothy after she signed to President Records in 1968 and was responsible for arranging My Way, Till and For Once In My Life, and many more recordings, as well as conducting for Dorothy during her many stage appearances in the Seventies.

~

From Ricki Strong

My name is Ricki Strong and I’m currently tracking my family tree.  I have been told by all my relatives that Dorothy Squires was a member of my family.  However I need to see some proof, so I was wondering if you could provide me with any information about her family background?

I am forwarding this e-mail to Dorothy’s niece Emily Squires who would be in the best position to help you, Ricki.

~

From Phil

Hi there, I’m turning to you as my last hope.  I run a record shop and one of my regular customers is after a particular song.  The song is Mistakes by Dorothy Squires, but she is after a cover version which was just piano/instrumental, no vocals.  Any ideas?  Your help would be appreciated.

There were several instrumental versions of this 1951 hit song, including by Victor Sylvester and His Ballroom Orchestra (Columbia/EMI), and The Squadronaires with Ronnie Aldrich on piano (Decca Records).

~

From Chris Rogers

~

From Denis

I wonder if you could help me?  I had a number of Dorothy’s records and albums, which I collected from the age of 16, and kept for many years.  But when CDs came in, and I had no record player, I binned all that I had – which I now regret.  One album sticks in my mind – it was a double-album and on the second LP, on the B-side, Dorothy sings about war and soldiers, and I’m sure the song lasts the whole side of the album.  There was a picture of her on the front of the gatefold sleeve, standing I think on a stage.  It may have been the London Palladium.  If you can help I would be most grateful.  I’m 55 years old now and my memory is not that great!

The album to which you are referring was the live recording of Dorothy’s December 1970 concert at the London Palladium, when she climaxed the show with her The Irony Of War medley.  This included songs like Where Have All The Flowers Gone?, It’s A Long Way To Tipperary, Goodbye Dolly Gray, When The World Is Ready and Maman. Sadly the recording is currently unavailable on CD, although it was issued (along with the 1970 comeback concert) by Sterndale Records about ten years ago.  That has now sold out of its original pressing and I have seen copies of the triple-CD retailing on Amazon for over $100!

~

From Trevor Bott

May I say how much I enjoyed visiting your website devoted to Dorothy Squires.  It is both interesting and informative, and a fine tribute to a great artiste.  Could I ask, is it possible to date the single releases in the discography section?  I have some of Dorothy’s LPs and CDs, with tracks for which I’d like to find recording dates.  Any help you could give me would be most welcome. 

~

From Paul Edwards

There isn’t much written about Dot’s illness.  How did it come about and was she ill for long?  Also, was she doing concerts up to the end or did she retire earlier, as it always seemed she would live forever.  I was shocked when she went.  There isn’t much of her film either.

Dorothy died after a lengthy battle against cancer.  Her last years were spent in South Wales, and her last concert was at Brighton Dome in March 1990 – eight years before her death.  Sadly there isn’t much available of Dorothy on film as she made relatively few television appearances during her career.  However some clips of her can be found on YouTube.

 ~

From Doug Bellows

Regarding airplay for Dorothy Squires (and other neglected singers).  Okay, there are two or three programmes on Radio Two that play these class singers – otherwise we have to rely on internet station Offshoremusicradio’s Rodney Collins, or some BBC local radio presenters like Eric Hall.  Having said all that, Dorothy is heard less on Radio Two than some of her musical contemporaries.  Given the number of records she sold – and her comeback in the late 60s and through the 70s – it really is unforgivable.

It’s correct that Dorothy’s music is heard all too rarely on the radio but presenters like Rod Collins and Eric Hall have remained loyal to her memory.  It’s interesting that Dorothy featured in Rod’s Top 40 New Year’s Day chart which represented the most requested tracks on his shows during the last years – apart from Offshore Music Radio (OMR), he has also broadcast on Millennium FM, RTL, Manx Radio, and Isles FM. Dorothy’s 1970 recording of Till was number 37 in the chart, higher than recordings by Alma Cogan, Kathy Kirby or Cilla Black.  Rod commented on the programme that Dorothy was one of those artists who gets very little airplay nowadays but is always requested by listeners to his own show.  The Top 40 show was repeated a week after it went out on New Year’s Day, and since then Rod has also played Dorothy’s Solitude’s My Home on his programme.

 ~

From Gerri Smith

Thank you for the tribute to my late pianist, Jon Styler.  I thought that you’d be interested to know that I have been asked to do The Dorothy Squires Story in Cardiff in December 2008, as well as in Swansea and Aberystwyth.  If I am going to re-launch the show I may well take it to Edinburgh again.  It will be difficult doing the show without Jon as he was so much a part of it, but I have an excellent pianist in Ian Thomas. 

Gerri’s stage production about Dorothy was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival several years ago, and she also performed at London’s Westminster Theatre.

 ~

From Mark Willerton

I noticed an e-mail from Julia Dadds who was asking about a song called So Lucky In My Life which then continues ‘You love me as I am’.  It was written by Bill Owen (of Last Of The Summer Wine fame) and was recorded by the Irish singer Rose Marie.  I know – because it was one of my Dad’s favourites!

Rose Marie’s singing style owes not a little to that if Dorothy’s singing style.

 ~

From Alan Fenlon

Just thought that I would let you about Mike Terry, a great pianist and entertainer.  For the last few years we have been going to Benidorm in Spain for a winter break and by accident we found Mike performing in a club called The Talk Of The Town, in the heart of club land over there.  What a great show – every evening around 9pm.  Mike mentions Dorothy many times during his act and I’m sure that sometimes there is a tear in his eye.  Anyway, the show is free so if anyone is over there, please drop in.  You will have a fabulous evening.

~

From Ian Harries

I hope all fans of Dot will be able to see and hear the great video clips of her in performance, now posted on Google YouTube.  Some genius has unearthed fabulous footage including impassioned performances of The Man That Got Away, If I Could Go Back and, most importantly of all, My Way.  Watching these brought back such memories of Dorothy at her greatest.  She was on the receiving end of such undeserved derision and abuse during her lifetime; these performances can only serve to set the record straight with regard to her ability to do what she did best – SING, and sing with such conviction, passion and power that even the best of other singers pale into insignificance by comparison.  Watch her at once, and marvel anew.

 ~

From John Hartley

I thought that you might be interested to know that Dorothy is mentioned in the Arthur English autobiography Through The Mill And Beyond, published by The Basingstoke Press.  Arthur writes: “I did my first radio broadcast on 17 November 1949 from the Nuffield Centre, near Trafalgar Square, before a troop audience.  The show was called Look Who’s Here and starred Dorothy Squires and the Hedley Ward Trio.  David Jacobs introduced the show and John Hooper was the producer.”

  ~    

From Rodney Collins

I played a Dorothy Squires track on my radio programme today and there have been seven responses while the programme has been running …

that’s quite incredible.  Now two of the responses say I played the wrong version of Till.  I announced it as the single from 1970 when in fact it was an album version.  If I got that wrong then I guess I am in for more stick as the week unfolds, as the show gets three more plays!  But the other five e-mails all commented on why Dorothy Squires is hardly ever featured on the radio, something I talked about on the show at some length.  ALL seem to think she should have had a better chance when she was alive and also now.  One, Peter Myers from Oxford, said: “You never hear Dorothy Squires, Lita Roza or Kathy Kirby, or a half dozen other big female stars.  Okay, you get Dusty and Pet, but that’s about it.”  Now if he listened to the rest of the show he’d have heard a Lita Roza track, but I take his point.  Darren from Lyon, France, said: “Thanks for playing Dorothy Squires’ Till.  I think you did the wrong version but at least you DO play her records.  The single version was a lot beatier.  Thanks anyway.”  ML from Skegness added: “She was simply the best of the bunch in her time or anyone else’s.  Thanks for playing her music Rodney.” Anyway, if you get the chance at all this week the Dorothy Squires hit with either the right or wrong track (!!!) is about forty minutes into show.

It sounds like Rodney played the earlier version of Till which Dorothy included on her 1970 album The Seasons Of.  She then re-recorded the song for single release, and it was a much more powerful arrangement and vocal delivery.  It has to be said that Rodney is a great champion of singers like the ones mentioned in his e-mail, and he certainly gives Dorothy a lot of plays, which is great.  Elsewhere on this website (in the Memories section) Rodney writes about how he first met Dorothy back in 1969 when he was a reporter with Record Mirror.  Checkout his web page on the offshoremusicradio.com site which includes a listing of the recordings he played in his programme during the previous week and also includes other helpful information.

  ~  

From Christine Bullock

Can you please tell me whether Dorothy wrote the beautiful ballad Till or did she write Hurt which was a hit for the Manhattans in 1975?  I thought I’d read something somewhere a long time ago that she wrote one of these songs after her split from Roger Moore.

Dorothy did indeed write many songs but neither of these two were her own compositions.  She did have a Top 30 hit with Till in 1970 but the song – composed by Danvers/Sigman – was originally a 50s hit in the United States for pianist Roger Williams.

  ~  

From Julia Dadds

I wonder if you can help me please?  My mother is after a CD with the song So Luck In My Life.  Can you guide me in the right direction so that I can get hold of it for her?  Thank you.

I’m not aware of Dorothy recording a song of this title, although it is possible your mother is recalling a line from a song.  Can anyone help Christine please?

  ~  

From Elizabeth Jolley

So nice to fine a site devoted to Dorothy.  I had met first in 1947 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, when I was about 13.  Many years later in 1969 I got to meet her again at a relative’s home here in Los Angeles.  These relatives of ours had met Dorothy when she was married to Roger Moore.  In fact, they lived next door to one another.  They always kept in touch with her.  When she came back here to the States they threw a party for her.  She was a lot of fun and I have two nice photos taken with her.  I think it was around the time that she hired the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles and staged her one one-woman show.  We were invited and afterwards there was a nice party and quite a few celebrities were there.  I remember Hazel Court being there.  After Dorothy died a friend of her’s sent me copies of the funeral service.  I once saw her in London, around 1956 in a music hall, and believe you me, she knew how to put on a show.  She was a very talented lady.

  ~  

From Grant Williams

Just thought I would let everyone know that, to my surprise, I typed in Dorothy Squires into YouTube and was able to watch some very rare live recordings of Dorothy singing on stage.  They are only short but it gives those people who never saw Dorothy live the chance to se her performing.  Hope you all enjoy. 

Some of these recordings have been removed from the YouTube site for copyright reasons.

  ~  

From Ian Gillies

Just thought I’d let you know that there are some fantastic clips of Dorothy Squires singing live on the Russell Harty Show back in the early 70s.

  ~  

From Irene Wilson

Can you let me know the title of the recently released double-CD by Dorothy Squires?  I believe that it was released by EMI Records.

  It is indeed on EMI Records and is called The Best Of Dorothy Squires.

  ~  

From David Lingwood

April 14 2008 will be the tenth anniversary of Dot’s final curtain.  Do you know, please, if anything is being planned to mark the day?  Thanks for your help.

Nothing specific has been planned as yet but if anything does take place it will be advertised on this website.

  ~  

From Rodney Collins

I note Steve Wilson’s comments about Till being included in my radio programme on Isles FM and Offshore Music Radio.  In fact I get quite a lot of requests for Dorothy Squires tracks.  Till would be one of the 50 most requested tracks in my programme in the past seven or eight years.

Thanks for your continued support of Dorothy’s recordings, Rodney, and indeed for playing other ‘neglected’ singers like Lita Roza and Kathy Kirby too.  They are so rarely played on national radio.

  ~  

From Brian

I hear there is going to be a plaque placed in Llanelli in 2008 commemorating Dorothy.  When is the plaque being unveiled?

No firm date yet as such but, again, if this does happen it will be promoted on the website.

  ~  

From Hazel Bailey

Could you please tell me where I can purchase Dorothy’s Live At The London Palladium on DVD?  I am looking for this for my father who is 91.  Can you also tell me if this DVD features My Way?  

Unfortunately Dorothy’s Palladium concert performances were never filmed, so there is no DVD available.  The audio recordings are available on a triple-CD set released by Sterndale Records although these are now very difficult to get hold of.

  ~  

From Richard Harries

I am trying to contact those why may be interested and I felt that you and Dorothy’s fans might be.  There is an online Downing Street petition asking the Government to make the veteran singer/actress/songwriter Petula Clark a Dame of the Empire.  The link is: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Damehood/

Just click on, fill and sign, then you will get a reply e-mail which has to be opened and clicked on to validate the signature.

Petula is indeed long overdue the honour of being made a Dame of the British Empire by H.M. The Queen.

  ~  

From Ann Jeffrey

My Dad is desperate to obtain the EMI double-disc CD of his beloved Dorothy.  Is there anywhere I can obtain this in Glasgow?  Many thanks.

HMV (and even Virgin) would probably be a safe bet, or why not try Amazon?

  ~  

From James Haslam

I wonder if anyone has a good copy of Cheese ‘N’ Wine on CD?  I’d really like to get a copy as mine is worn out!

So far this album has never been released commercially on CD, although there was talk a while back about the possibility of it being reissued.  Since then however Sanctuary, which owned the copyright, has been sold to Universal Records, so it’s anyone’s guess what will happen now.

  ~  

From Adele Wilson

Did Dorothy Squires make record titled Don’t You Know?  I heard this on TV advertising a drama Jeckyll & Hyde.  Thanks.

I think this could be a case of mistaken identity!

  ~  

From Jeffrey John

I know that Dorothy sing Here In My Heart back in the 1950s when she was in variety, perhaps at the Brixton Express, but did she ever record the song?  I’d love to hear her version if she did.

Here In My Heart was recorded by Al Martino and had the accolade of being the very first number 1 hit here in November 1952 when it topped the newly created New Musical Express chart.  The song would have been ideal for Dorothy but she never recorded it.

  ~  

From Dale

Hi, could you tell me if there is a book due out on Dorothy?  Many thanks.

We are working on a scrapbook style coffee table book, which would comprise memorabilia like programmes, sheet music, old photographs, news cuttings, plus editorial, etc.  It is planned to co-incide with the unveiling of a plaque for Dorothy in Llanelli.

  ~  

From James Brown

Hi, really hope you can help me!  I’m after a song by Dorothy Squires called Little Things Mean A Lot.  I’m trying to get it for my Dad but had no luck whatsoever.  I’m hoping an expert like you will be able to help.  Thanks very much for your time.

Dorothy never recorded Little Things Mean A Lot!  It was a Top 10 hit in 1954 for both Alma Cogan and Kitty Kallen (who in fact reached number 1 with the song).  It is certainly available on several Cogan CD compilations.

  ~  

From Brian Furness

Hi!  I only discovered Dorothy when it was too late, although she was a close friend for many years with a friend of mine, Dan Sooley in Doncaster.  Very often I would be at his place and she would be on the phone to him for hours at a time.  I have managed to get hold of an LP Dorothy Again! London Palladium 1972.  The only problem is that it sounds badly scratched.  Do you know if I can get it in a CD version?  Hope you can help as I think it is a fantastic recording and would have loved to have been there.

Sadly this recording –like that of Cheese ‘N’ Wine – remains unreleased on CD.  Hopefully somebody will do something about it.

  ~  

From Alan Jones

Two or three years ago there was a TV tribute to Miss Squires, documenting her life and her last years, which were spent in the Rhondda Valley.  Unfortunately I have forgotten the name of the tune used as background and closing title music, and wondered if you help please.

You’re referring to the Rain Rain Go Away documentary, made by BBC Wales, and believe it or not but it’s almost ten years since you saw it!  The music was Dorothy’s own song We Clowns which is available on CD.  Check out the CD Discography section on this website.

  ~  

From Ian Offler, Fethye, Turkey

In the 60s Dorothy made a recording of a song called Have I Waited Too Long.  It was one her emotive ballads and I think Decca released it.  Is it available on any CD?

Not as yet, although I understand it may well be included on a forthcoming CD compilation of Dorothy recordings.

  ~  

From Matt Yuill

I’m now retired from work and spend at least an hour a day listening to Dot and enjoying my memories of my much-loved friend.  Thanks again for all you do to keep Dorothy in the public eye.  She so deserves it.

  ~  

From Susan Buchan

I love the website.  I didn’t know until now that Dorothy’s autobiography Rain, Rain Go Away was never published!  I’ve looked on e-bay and in second hand bookshops for years without success.  I did see an advert for it in Woolworths in the 70s so that explains it.  Will it ever be published and if not, why not?  I’m sure a lot of people would be interested.  Also, are there any documentaries on Dorothy on YouTube, also is there anything anywhere on Roger Moore as I would love to see those.  Incidentally, I spoke to someone who once installed Roger’s central heating in his London home and he said he was a lovely charming man, not at all starry or bigheaded.  Everyone seems to say the same about Roger, don’t they?

They do indeed and it’s nice to hear Roger saying good things about Dorothy in occasional documentaries that he has appeared in.  Regarding Dorothy’s autobiography, I’m afraid it’s the usual story (if you’ll pardon the pun) … it got caught up in litigation.

  ~  

From John Roberts and Ray, Swansea

We have been in quite regular contact with Alan and Richard (Bradley) in Sheffield who we met at a Dorothy Squires tribute at the Sherman Theatre quite some years ago.  However recently we can’t make contact using the telephone number that we have. They are avid Dorothy fans and I thought that you may know them and be able to provide a forwarding address or let them know that we have been trying to contact them.  It goes without saying that we are devoted fans ourselves and always eager to know of any news or information about books, CDs, tributes etc.  Many thanks

Sorry, can’t help on this one, but if anyone else can please contact Ray and John on jroberts@cwgsy.net

  ~  

From Maureen St Pierre

I am trying to reconnect with a very old friend, Ernie Dunstall, from the early 80s.  Ernie was musical director I believe for Dorothy somewhere around that time.  I did last see him in London around ten years ago but I have lost his address and would love to make contact with Ernie.  When we were about 19 years of age, Ernie played piano, my brother played drums and I played accordion.  It was one of the first groups any of us had played in.  He was a tremendous pianist, even back then.  I hope that life is still going well for him.

Ernie was Dorothy’s musical director back in the 60s and also co-wrote several songs with her.  Most recently he has working as Joe Longthorne’s musical director.

  ~  

From Christine

I am trying to find out what happened to Noel Talbot, a good friend of Dot’s.  I met him in Swansea in the 70s and he introduced me to Dot when she was appearing at the Townsman nightclub.  She subsequently offered me a job working for her Kent but Noel talked me out of it!  He was then quite a successful comedian and appeared in many local pantos, although he lived up North.  I would be grateful for any information.

Can anyone help Christine! Her e-mail address is: Mickeymoto1@aol.com

  ~  

From Joe and Kathy

Where can we find Miss Squires’ version of My Way please?

It’s ironic that the recording that is probably Dorothy’s most iconic hit is so difficult to find nowadays.  It did feature in the President Records CD I Am What I Am but this appears to be now deleted.  It also appeared on the EMI/Virgin compilation Memories Are Made Of This Vol. 2 a couple of years ago, and this is probably easier to find.  There are also a couple of live versions of My Way (check out the CD discography).  I have had a number of e-mails from people asking how they get hold of Dorothy’s My Way, several from people who wanted them played at funerals.  Hopefully somebody will reissue My Way on a CD collection in the near future.

  ~  

From Ian Parsons

I’m writing a book on the history of Swansea Grand Theatre, and one of the chapters is about famous characters who have performed there over the years.  Dorothy Squires did a show there on 27 March 1967 and I would like to do a short biography with any anecdotes relating toThe Grand.  I would also like a photo to use, if at all possible.

If anyone can help Ian, please contact him direct on ian.parsons40@ntlworld.com

  ~  

From Rona Carr (senior citizen)

Is it possible for you to inform me where I can obtain a copy of Say It With Flowers, or hear it?  Thank you.

Dorothy’s original 1961 recording of Say It With Flowers – with Russ Conway playing the piano – is available on the2007 double-CD The Best Of Dorothy Squires (EMI Records 0946 393380 2 3)

~

From Andrew Lightfoot

Hi, just read the biography of Dorothy on the website.  I didn’t realise she lived in Ackworth for a short time.  Being from there myself, where did she stay in Ackworth as a matter of interest?

~

From Terence Lee, Penang Island, Malaysia

I discovered Dorothy Squires late, being a Bassey fan half of my life.  Dot was the true original.  Everyone that came after her copied from her either consciously or subconsciously.  I have collected all her CDs (the later ones, as I like her later voice) but would like really like to see her in concert.  Can we get the documentary Rain Rain Go Away released on DVD?  We must petition to get it commercially available.

Nice to know that Dorothy has a fan living as far away as Malaysia!  The documentary that Terence is referring to is The Slate documentary, shown on BBC Wales shortly before Dorothy died in 1998.

~  

From Dale

Hi, could you tell me if there are any plans for a biography of Dorothy’s life, and any plans for anything to be released on DVD?  Many thanks.

No plans for any DVD release but there is a rumour of a forthcoming TV documentary about Dorothy, to be made by David Howard who was responsible for The Slate programme.  There are also plans for Dorothy Squires: Her Way, a ‘scrapbook’ style book featuring memorabilia and photographs from Dorothy’s long career.  Further details will be announced shortly on the website.

~  

From Karl Johansen

Reading the sleeve notes on Dorothy’s new double-CD on EMI Records, I saw that she finally has a website – that’s wonderful!  I have been a fan of Dorothy since I heard her sing If You Love Me.  I was fortunate enough to see her in concert twice, and meet her in her dressing room at the Kings Theatre in Edinburgh.  It was packed with fans and well wishers.  I have to say that Dot put on a helluva show, not just her but also every act she had with her was great.  That was the first time we ever saw Roy Walker and he was brilliant – he can sing like Jack Jones when the mood takes him.  I also spoke to Dot by phone several times over the years – she was such a character.

Can you imagine how great it would be to have a DVD of her first Palladium concert, or the second when she did that amazing War medley?

I have introduced Dorothy’s music to several fans over the years and all but one was hooked.  It’s good to know Dorothy’s records are re-released but one compilation I would welcome is of her President singles and best album tracks.  That would make one heck of a CD, don’t you think?

Also pleased to hear a book is finally coming out.  I must look for that.  I always thought it was a shame that the book planned to coincide with her album Rain Rain Go Away was never published.  I have a very old American LP of Dot’s and the original US version of Torremolinos on the London label, still in great condition.  I also have the President album that Nicky Welsh recorded of Dorothy’s music.

Recently I finally sat down and watched the DVD of The Long Firm, with the excellent Mark Strong – but where was the foul mouth tirade from ‘Dorothy’ (as reported in the press at the time)?  All I saw was a few seconds of her singing, then shaking hands with some of the audience.  Dorothy once sorted out a heckler in Glasgow who had obviously had too much to drink.  We all know that she sang her heart out onstage but she was talking and somebody said something like, ‘We came to hear you sing’.  So Dorothy said something back, which was good although I can’t remember exactly what she said.  She added ‘the hell with you’ and the heckler never said another word!

Karl is the webmaster of Jackie Trent’s official web-site www.jackie-trent.org.uk and Jackie has kindly agreed to write a tribute to Dorothy which will be placed on this website shortly.  Jackie, and her former husband, songwriter Tony Hatch, attended many of Dorothy’s parties in Bexley, Kent.  Jackie of course had tremendous recording success in her own right, including the 1965 chart-topping Where Are You Now?, as well as penning songs like Joanna for Scott Walker, My Love for Petula Clark, and the perennial TV theme song Neighbours.

~  

From Richard Beckett

For many years I have been looking for the words of a song I heard in the late 1940s.  All I can recall is that the title Reflections On The Water.  After much hunting on the internet all I ever got was a song sung by Tina Turner!  However, at long last, having found this website, I am convinced the song I have been searching for must be the one sung by Dorothy Squires and released circa 1947.  Is it possible for you to provide with me complete lyrics of this song please?

Dorothy’s recording of Billy Reid’s Reflections On The Water entered the sheet music sales chart in June 1948, reaching number 6.  It can be found on the new EMI double-CD The Best Of Dorothy Squires.  There were also cover versions by Joe Lost and his Orchestra (with Howard Jones), Sam Browne with The Squadronaires, and Paul Fenhoulet and his Orchestra (with Doreen Lundy).

~  

From Agnes Maddock

Please, we would like permission to download Dorothy’s song, The Gypsy, recorded in 1945.  Thank you.  

It’s not really possible to down load the song from this website, but why not buy the new EMI CD which includes The Gypsy and 48 other recordings by Dorothy?

~  

From Steve and Karl

After many years of listening to our box CD set Live At The Palladium, it has been stolen from us.  We are devastated and so upset as we had kept press cuttings, and the funeral obituaries, etc, and pictures, with it.  Can you tell us where we can order a new one as we really miss the music?  Our friends are having a civil wedding and we want to use the CDs as a background set, as most of the guests will be in drag from Spain and Italy.  Hope you can help.  All we can say is there must be a happy burglar somewhere.

~   

From Steve and Karl

At last, we got the Palladium CD set!  Thanks for letting us know.  We got it for £60 on E-bay.  Such a bargain.

~  

From Philip Cable

What a great site … so glad to find it.  I loved Dorothy for many years.  I’m looking to contact an old friend, Peter Gadsby, who has left a message on the website.  Peter, if you want to say ‘hi’ please e-mail me at hrhphe@comecast.net.  Do you still remember about the old days at Shepherds Bush Market?

~  

From Paula Murray

Thank you so much for your help in finding Dorothy’s song, This Is My Mother’s Day.  I went to the site that you advised and was able to buy The Best Of Dorothy Squires on EMI Records.  I am so grateful to you.  A mutual friend, a cabaret artist,

we used to meet up in the Tatler Club in Newcastle back in the 60s.  This was my favourite song.  Dorothy was a wonderful person and I feel privileged to have met her.  Thank you again for your help.

~  

From Trevor Bott

Your website is a great tribute to a wonderful artist, and Jonathan Barrett’s discography is very comprehensive, but is it possible to supply dates for Dorothy’s singles releases?  Thanks.  I have some of Dorothy’s CDs and albums, with tracks for which I’d like to find recording dates.  Any help you could give me would be most welcome.  The website is interesting, informative and a fine tribute to a great artist.

If anyone can help Trevor with more precise information about release dates, please contact him on tbott@tiscali.co.uk

~  

From John Harper

Hi, I’m doing a favour for a church group who are trying to obtain the music for a song Dorothy sang, From Your Lips To The Ears Of Good.  I would be grateful for any information.  Thanks.

Please contact John direct at john@john-harper.co.uk

~  

From Sheila Churchill

Would appreciate your help please.  I am trying to find Dorothy’s CD I Am What I Am released on President Records.  Have tried HMV but they say it has been discontinued.  Do you know of any other source?  Thanks.

~  

From Sheila Churchill

Just thought I’d close our correspondence.  Pleased to say I’ve just received the much-awaited Dorothy Squires.  I did order it from Amazon as you suggested.  There was a long wait but, EUREKA!  It’s here, and I’m delighted.  Thanks so much.

~  

From Cathy Elliott

Hi, wonder if you can help me.  Dorothy’s father Archibald James was my great-grandmother’s (Maria Squires) brother.  I am trying to trace the family tree and I wondered if you knew whether one had already been done and, if so, if you could possible put me in contact or give me a link to a webpage for the tree?

Dorothy’s niece Emily writes: “I have started to look at Dorothy’s ancestry and in the 1901 census return I have found her grandmother Mary registered in a Pandy Field in the Rhondda as a coconut proprietor, along with loads of fair ground people!

~  

From Peter

Did a pianist called Mike Terry work with Dorothy at all?  He is engaged in a nightclub in Benidorm and claims he worked with Dorothy for 30 years.

Mike did indeed work with Dorothy on various occasions, including her 1970 London Palladium comeback show as well as at Leeds Astoria back in the late 80s.

~  

From Russell Holt

My aunt loves Dorothy Squires and would love to read about her life.  Did she ever write an autobiography?

Yes, but sadly it was never published.  Rain Rain Go Away was to be published by Everest Books in the late 70s but, because of various legal disputes, it never saw the light of day (although extracts were published in the Sunday People newspaper).

~  

From Anne Edgar

I tried very hard to listen to the Radio Essex show last Sunday here in Spain.  Unfortunately the website audio was very poor and kept cutting out, so I gave up in the end.  I hope the listeners in the UK enjoyed the programme! Good on Eric Hall for giving so much time to the wonderful Dot.

Long-time Dorothy fan Anne, whose article about Dorothy can be found in the Memories section on this website, is now domiciled in Spain.

~  

From Jonathan Barrett

~  

From Jeffrey John

You might be interested to know that the Daily Mail’s weekend supplement on Saturday 25^th November 2006 mentioned Dorothy.  Nothing we don’t know already, but good to see another accolade for Dorothy.  It was in an article about Gloria Hunniford who had interviewed Roger Moore for TV.  The programme is called Gloria’s Greats and will be shown on the Biography Channel in December.

  Quoting from the article:  “Such is Gloria’s skill as an interviewer, she even manages to illicit confessions about his (Moore’s) love life, a subject on which he is usually tight lipped.  He reveals how his first marriage to an ice skater was already on the rocks when he met the Welsh singer Dorothy Squires who became wife number two.  ‘I met Dorothy at a party at her house.  She introduced me to a world that I’d never met before.’ ‘She was an enormous name at that point, wasn’t she?’ asks Gloria. ‘And you hadn’t reached the dizzy heights of success yourself.’ ‘I hadn’t reached the dizzy heights of anywhere,’ laughs Roger.  ‘And one couldn’t fail to be impressed by her success; you know, to watch her perform and to see the depth of her talent.  It was quite extraordinary.’  ‘So you went with Dorothy to America.  Did you go as a star?’ asks Gloria.  ‘No, no, in England there were plenty of young actors just like me, but in America I had an English accent, so I was different.

Webmaster:  Sir Roger did indeed talk about Dorothy at some length, during the interview with Gloria, which incidentally went out on the Biography Channel several times including the Christmas period.  The programme also included three very brief film clips: one of Dorothy and Roger arriving at a film premiere (seen in a previous Moore TV biog) and the other two of Dorothy entering and then leaving the’ big top’ when she performed Say It With Flowers in front of an audience of lions at a Billy Smart’s Circus TV special back in 1961.  Bruce Forsyth is seen ushering her into the lions’ presence!  Incidentally Roger Moore apparently joked at the time that he was more worried about the lions’ welfare than Dorothy’s!

~  

From John Scambler

I first heard of Dorothy when I attended my first drag show at The Black Cat in Camden, north London, and an impersonator ‘did’ For Once In My Life … I have been hooked ever since. I made it a mission to buy her music, and I saw Dorothy in concert later on, but I often wonder if there are any videos of her concerts.  I have a couple of DVDs I got from E-bay but no full concerts.  Are any available?

Webmaster: Sadly, no.  If only those early Palladium/Theatre Royal Drury Lane concerts had been filmed at the time.  At least we have the recordings.  Sadly very little exists of Dorothy on film or TV.

~

From Glenn Potter

Can you please tell me if Dorothy ever sang a song with the verse, “All my love is for you alone”?  I’d be grateful for help as my mother is trying to get hold of the recording.

Anybody out there who can help Glenn?

~

From Dave Aylott (Desmond Carrington’s Radio 2 producer)

Many thanks for your message, regarding Desmond’s programme tribute to Dorothy.  I am looking forward to assembling it.  Sadly, we have only 26 minutes for the show so it will be little more than a cigarette card rather than a detailed biography, but I hope that we’ll cram into it as much of Dorothy’s music as possible, together with a few highlights of her career.  We’re limited in the amount of interview material at our disposal but I am confident that the programme will do Dorothy’s memory proud.

Webmaster: In the event, the programme which went out at 7pm on 30^th June 2006 on Radio featured several of Dorothy’s recordings and also included extracts from interviews that she originally gave for the BBC Wales The Slate programme Rain Rain Go Away, recorded in 1997 and early 1998.  According to Desmond on the programme, Dorothy recorded literally hundreds of hours of interview tapes.

~

From Brian Willey

I have had a look at the website – it is terrific – most absorbing to read, and I should be delighted to write something for it.  I attended Dorothy’s funeral at Streatham – couldn’t quite believe how tragic her life became in her later years – for one so much larger than life ending her days in such destitute conditions.  I shall certainly never forget her.

Brian, along with Ronnie Bridges, was responsible for writing The Gibraltar Anthem which Dorothy performed at St Michael’s Cave in Gibraltar in 1970.  She also performed the song at that year’s famous comeback concert.  We look forward to reading more of Ronnie’s memories of Dorothy.

~

From Marilyn

I was wondering if you could help me with some information.  I have acquired a copy of Dorothy Squires At The London Palladium double album (vinyl) on the Decca label (cat. No. DBC 9/10), released in 1971.  The only information I can find about this record is about the issue on the President label, which is the same track listing, but with a different picture on the front.  Do you know anything about the Decca issue, and which one came first?  Thanks in advance for your help.

Webmaster: What you have, Marilyn, is the 1977 re-issue of the 1971 President Records double album featuring Dorothy’s December 1970 concert.  By 1977 Dorothy had left President, and released her new album Rain Rain Go Away on Decca.  Presumably as part of the deal Decca also agreed to re-issue the Palladium double, but with a different photo of Dorothy on the cover.

~

From Trevor Banks

Would you mind passing this on to Emily?  We were mates backs in the 70s when I was with The Equals, and would love to know how she is and what she is doing these days.

Webmaster: I’ve passed on Emily’s details to Trevor.  The Equals were of course signed to President Records at the same time as Dorothy was with the label.

~  

From Steve Wilson

The website is wonderful and brought back a few memories for me as I remember seeing Dorothy Squires in the late 1950’s.  I did enjoy the request on Rod Collins’ Isles FM programme for a Dorothy Squires recording (he played Till).  I had almost given up hope of getting anyone to play a request of one of her songs.  Dorothy may not have been a favourite with the radio, television or music industry, but she certainly was with her fans.

~

From Anne Jenkins

My father is a great Dorothy Squires fan and has been trying endlessly to find sheet music for the piano for Say It With Flowers, one of his most favourite songs.  Does anybody know of a site where I might find it? Many thanks.

~

From Lisa Sturgeon

My mother has always claimed that Dorothy was a cousin of her mother or grandmother.  I recently contacted someone else who is connected with the Lloyd family – who has never met my mother – and she, too, referred to Dorothy as a cousin.  Do you know of any connection with the Lloyd family?  What was her mother’s maiden name?  I am a singer and would be extremely proud to say with confidence that there is a tie with Dorothy – especially as I, co-incidentally, sing If You Love Me.

I have spoken to Dorothy’s niece Emily about this, and she is personally unaware of any family members called Lloyd – however she has promised to make some wider enquiries!

~

From Nicola Warren

I was a good friend of Dorothy’s in the early 80s and used to walk her two dogs Roly and Esban for her, along with my sister Janette and my friends Helen Melissa and Justine.  We lived in Bray just a few doors from her.  Dorothy kindly invited us to sing at her concert at Drury Lane in December 1982 (or it could have been 1983).  She gave us our own dressing room with lights around the mirror!  We had the royal box to sit in until we went on stage to sing Silent Night – introduced as ‘the Doggy Walkers’!  I am trying to find any information or programmes on this event, which was an amazing part of my childhood (I was only 12 or 13 at the time).  We spent every day at Dot’s house, trying on her stage clothes – one red-feathered one particularly sticks out in my memory!  She was a warm caring person and to this day I still wear my silver N initial necklace that Dorothy gave me for Christmas, and I cherish the card that came with it.  Any information about the Drury Lane concert would be great.

Can anyone help Nicola regarding the Drury Lane concert to which she refers?

~

From Ashley Peach

My grandma Brenda Watts passed away around four weeks ago.  I knew that she was friend of Dorothy’s and thought that I would look up Dorothy on the Internet.  I found your website and then, to my amazement, discovered that there was a picture of my grandma with Dorothy.  It was really great to see the photo there on the website.

Ashley’s grandma Brenda would be well known to many of Dorothy’s fans.  She worked for Dorothy in several capacities, including as her dresser and driver, as well as helping around the household. The photo to which Ashley refers was taken by Matt Yuill and can be found in the Memories section.  There is also a tribute to Brenda in the same section.

~

From Dave Gasson

I am trying to find some information on Mike Terry, the pianist, who appeared on many of Dorothy’s shows.  Is he still performing?  Thank you for any info that you can send me.

Mike is appearing in the Hi-De-Hi All Star Variety show at the Skegness Embassy Theatre on Monday 26 June, and also on July 3 and July 10.

~

From Alan Yates

Congratulations on the web pages – there’s some very interesting information included.  Do you know if there are any plans to re-launch any of Dorothy’s old recordings?  I had a copy of Cheese ‘N’ Wine (with Dorothy and Dennis Lotis) but it was damaged when somebody borrowed it.  I have been trying to replace it ever since, but to no avail.  It would be fabulous if it ever appeared as CD.  If you have any information regarding this, I would be very happy to hear it.

~

From Colin Pickett

I was wondering if there was any indication about whether Dorothy Again!, the EMI album recorded at her 1972 London Palladium concert, might be re-issued?  It was the first Palladium concert of Dorothy’s that I attended, and I absolutely loved her version of Solitude’s My Home and If I Could Go Back.  I remember at the time I was a little disappointed that the whole show wasn’t released on the album, and that in fact it was only available as a single album whereas the 1970 and 1971 concerts had been released as doubles.  Perhaps whoever is planning to release it may consider releasing the entire show with Dorothy’s great audience interaction?  It was certainly an evening that I will never forget.

~

From Anna Hill

I am wondering if you or anyone connected to Dorothy Squires can help me with some information about my grandmother, Maria Almasi.  Maria apparently made stage dresses for Dorothy in the Forties and Fifties.  It’s a long shot I know, but can anyone remember that far back?  The problem for me is that my mother (Maria’s daughter) was taken from Maria as a child, and consequently we know very little about her.  It would be wonderful if anyone had any information.

It’s a great website that you have.  To be honest I have never heard any of Dorothy’s music so I’m going to have to find some, on the strength of your graphics and tributes alone!  Hoping you can help. 

If anyone can help Anna, please contact her on cantcloughfarm@yahoo.co.uk

~  

From Mark Weightman

I started work at the age of 15, as a barber’s apprentice at the R.A.C.S. (Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society) in Bexley Heath.  Close by was Bexley – a very picturesque village back in the early 50s - where Dorothy and Roger lived and they used to have some very lively parties.  Later in my life, after National Service, I managed my first barber shop in Eltham, south east London, and remember a client who raised the subject of how Dorothy could be so difficult – she had apparently insisted that the star dressing room be re-decorated in pink on one occasion!  Also that the BBC had washed their hands with her.  Regarding the re-decorations, no doubt Dorothy was annoyed with the state of many theatre dressing rooms, so good for her!  I had seen for myself the backstage conditions of what was then the Woolwich Empire.  Yes, I have more words than in Gone With The Wind but sadly not more than is already known about the very under-rated Dorothy Squires.  A film about her life is long overdue – and I am sure that it would meet with no objection from the much-admired Sir Roger Moore.

I must have been naïve to have been unaware of your website.  I recently bought some live concert recordings by Dorothy and they certainly stirred my inner feelings and emotions.  I thought, how is it possible that there is no book or film about this lady who had so much success and heartbreak?  Dorothy Squires dwarfed her peers who also shared the spotlight.  Dorothy discovered Al Jolson when she was very young, and so did I.  Entertainers today just don’t match up to the real superstars of yesteryear, names like Jolson, Judy Garland and Dorothy Squires.  How I regret that I never saw Dorothy on stage – she was a treasure, she was wonderful.

From Dean Peirce-Hendriks

Can someone please help with a list of Dorothy’s single recordings that are not yet available on CD?  Many thanks.

Dean can be contacted direct at ram.hendriks-peirce@wxs.nl

~  

From Steve Wilson

The website is wonderful and brought back a few memories for me as I remember seeing Dorothy Squires in the late 1950’s.  I did enjoy the request on Rod Collins’ Isles FM programme for a Dorothy Squires recording (he played Till).  I had almost given up hope of getting anyone to play a request of one of her songs.  Dorothy may not have been a favourite with the radio, television or music industry, but she certainly was with her fans.

~  

From Anne Jenkins

~  

From Mark Weightman

I must be naïve that I was unaware of your website until recently.  My recent acquisition, to complement Dorothy’s self-financed London Palladium show LP, is the re-issued concert that she performed at the Regal Cinema in Llanelli back in October 1966.  After playing it, the recording really stirred my inner feelings and emotions.  I thought, how is it possible this lady with so much success and heartbreak, this Lady Dorothy Squires, whose heart was as big as a bucket, how can it be that there is no book or film?  Dorothy dwarfed her peers who shared the spotlight.  Surely all the ingredients are there in great mass for the right producer and director?  There is no doubt it would be great box office.  Dorothy discovered Al Jolson when she was so young.  I did decades later and have idolised him all my life.  Entertainers today just don’t match up to the real superstars of yesteryear.  Al Jolson, Judy Garland, Dorothy Squires and others.  It’s ridiculous when, today, talent is not considered the first commodity, when thrusting a new face in front of the public.  How I regret that I never saw Dorothy Squires onstage.  Dorothy Squires was a treasure, she was wonderful.

Thanks Mark – and I am sure many other people share your sentiments.

 ~

From Doug Bellows

Just heard about the Dot Squires website on Isles FM’s Monday oldies programme, so I checked it out … a few memories there.  I remember hearing about all her troubles back in the 60’s but still bought the President singles and, I think, two vinyl albums as well.  Isles FM’s guy (Rod Collins) said he was doing a Dot Squires feature at the end of March – great!

 Keep up the good work with the website.  I don’t think we will see artists like Dorothy Squires and Shirley Bassey in years to come, because no one treads the boards these days.  Half the people in the charts would be well b*****ed if they had to perform live in a theatre, without their precious pre-recorded backing tracks.   Guess it’s a labour of love for you, but it’s good that someone bothered.

  ~

From Rod Collins

People have all but forgotten the President Records label these days and maybe do not realise the contribution it, and its founder, Ed Kassner, made from the mid-60’s until the mid-70’s especially … Ed did deals with loads of small US labels that paid off, and scored with the hits as well.

  Regarding Dot Squires, it was something of a gamble to sign her – a gamble that well paid off, I grant you.  Companies did take gambles in the late 60s, despite the move to heavier music.  EMI re-signed Frankie Vaughan and one of his hits, There Must Be A Way, ended up being one of the biggest selling singles of 1967.  Vince Hill similarly did well, and Shirley Bassey of course.  The independent labels Major Minor (Phil and Dorothy Solomons) and Ember (Jeff Kruger) scored with easy listening stuff as well.  But Dorothy Squires’ hits really did go against the flow at the end of the 60’s, and she and President proved the fact that demand was clearly there for her kind of performance.

Rod is the radio broadcaster, and former journalist, mentioned in Doug Bellows’ e-mail above.  Rod has written a short piece about Dorothy, which can be found under the Memories section

 ~

From Carl Holden

If anyone wants a copy of the BBC Wales documentary Rain Rain Go Away, which went out on television in early 1998, or the My Way extracts (from the BBC Arena special, about the song My Way), please e-mail me.  For the price of a DVD blank and postage, I will copy them for anyone interested.  This is a fantastic website.  Please can we se more pictures?

I am sure that many people will want to take you up on your kind and generous officer, Carl.  To contact Carl direct, please e-mail him at nettyboy@ntlworld.com

 ~

From Mick Davies

I live in Scotland and was posted by a friend Rod Collins to your website.  I am a Dorothy Squires fan, simply because my Granddad and Grandmother were always playing her stuff.  The two things I remember them talking about were Dorothy Squires and Dennis Lotis!  Oh, and a guy called Ronnie Carroll.  Anyway, although I am only in my 20’s, I looked out two Dorothy Squires albums and hey, what a powerful voice.  It’s good that we have the tapes, records, etc, to remember these artists by, because they don’t seem to make them like her anymore, do they?  Keep the site going.

Great to know that even young people are interested in the music and career of Dorothy

 ~

From Pascal Liger

I am a French fan and, until recently, I had never seen Dorothy Squires singing on television.  Since then I have managed to get hold of some video footage.

 How did I become a fan of Dorothy Squires?  I lived in London for about three years from 1984.  One day I read a book about Roger Moore where, of course, there was a chapter concerning Dorothy.  I then later went to a shop called 58 Dean Street Records in Soho and bought the 1970 London Palladium recording, just to give me an idea of what she was like.

 I haven’t mentioned that, prior to London, I was a local radio DJ near Paris.  While in London I bought other vintage recordings, before moving to south Brittany where I live now.  When I arrived back in France in 1987 I worked as a DJ for the local station in St Gilles Croix de Vie.  I had a radio programme playing vintage records (mainly American) but I did play Dorothy Squires’ records, which in France nobody knew, of course.

 I heard about Dorothy’s death several months after the event, when I was looking on the Internet.  Unfortunately I never saw her live, but it must have been something to see her onstage.  The songs, the orchestra, the audience … really great performances!

 We never in France had an artist like her, and I think it is shame that Dorothy didn’t cross the English Channel.  Best regards to you, and keep maintaining this website which brings so much for fans like myself.

Thanks Pascal – and that is quite a compliment you paid Dorothy considering France is the country that gave us the legendary Edith Piaf.

 ~  

From Wendy and Phil White

Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the Radio Essex tribute to Dororthy.  What a good show that was.  Well done to Eric and Chris for keeping her memory alive.

 ~

From Steven Richardson

In response to Grant Williams’ enquiry about Dorothy’s former home in Bexley, as a former resident of Bexley myself I can confirm that the house was in Wansnut Road.  However the house and its land was developed into a housing estate in the early 1980’s.  I have driven down the road many times myself over the years.

~  

From Kim

I am trying to locate the song that these lyrics belong to, for my Dad.  He thinks it was a Dorothy Squires song – but on the other hand, it could be Rosemary Squires!  Any help would be great – many thanks.

“There’s a book that my mother gave me that I read when the long day is through and the story of old is leaved edged with gold for I know in its worn old pages I will find peace of mind”

If anyone can help Kim, please e-mail her at mikes.v8@btinternet.com

~  

From Jeffrey John

Radio Wales are asking people to contact them to play their favourite Dorothy Squires song for a birthday item in March on their programme String Of Pearls.  Her song I’ll Close My Eyes is the first on the latest programme, and they will announce the birthday bit on the end.  March 25 is of course Dorothy’s birthday and the station will play the most requested song on the edition of their programme nearest the date.  There is so much to choose from but, for your information,. I have requested Till from the 1970 Palladium concert – she was doing the autograph book sequence and the audience were all calling out for Say It With Flowers – I thought that it would serve to show how much she was loved and appreciated.

~  

From H. Price

Hello, I am looking for a piece of music called Precious Love by Ernie Dunstall and Dorothy Squires.  Please help, as it is very important.

Not quite sure if you mean the sheet-music, or Dorothy’s actual recording!  However the recording did feature on the Joy album Dorothy Sings Squires back in the 70s and is currently available on the President Records CD Say it With Flowers (cat. No PCOM 1154).  

~

From Julie White

I saw Dorothy Squires in concert in the 1970s.  I thought it was at the Odeon, Edmonton, or around that area.  My husband thinks it was at Wimbledon Theatre.  Can you confirm who is right?

~

From H. Howell

Please could you tell me how many songs Dorothy Squires wrote herself, and what they are please?  Thank you.

Hopefully a feature about Dorothy’s song-writing activities will appear on the website sometime in early 2006.

~  

From Paul Wynter

Firstly, to whom it may concern … thanks for all the great Squires recordings that have been put out on CD, especially Rain Rain Go Away and the Llanelli Live disc, which I bought years ago on vinyl (on Decca Records’ Ace Of Clubs label).  Are there any other CDs in the pipeline?  And is the single Have I Waited Too Long available in CD format.

I have heard on the grapevine that Dorothy’s 1972 London Palladium concert – originally released as Dorothy Again! by EMI Records in 1973 – is being released on CD.  Further details to follow. This concert included Dorothy’s renditions of Rod McKuen’s Solitude’s My Home as Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s If I Could Go Back (from the film Lost Horizon).  The concert also featured a memorable “flower” medley. Unfortunately there are no plans for Have I Waited Too Long to be released on CD, as this was a one-off single that Dorothy did for Decca Records in 1965.  Interestingly the musical arranger was Mike Leander who was responsible for Marianne Faithfull’s 60s hits and who later went on to work with Gary Glitter.

~  

From Kenny Martin

I think the website dedicated to Dorothy Squires is very impressive, and it is a lovely tribute to a great singer and entertainer.

My mother took me to see Dot on my 21^st birthday at Tiffany’s, Edinburgh, during the Edinburgh Festival in 1973.  Dorothy sang with her niece Emily that evening.  It was fantastic evening and Dorothy sang her heart out.  I remember that she and Emily sang a duet, Ebb Tide.  I wish that Dorothy had recorded it.

I shall be moving home soon, and wondered if anyone might be interested in buying my vinyl collection of Dorothy's recordings, as I have no space to store them.  I am asking a fair price.  I have the entire CD collection of Dorothy up to date, and yet am still waiting to find if the 1972 London Palladium will be released in CD format.  Thank you

Anyone interested in buying Kenny’s vinyl collection should contact him direct at Kenneth.martin@blueyonder.co.uk  

~  

From Jeremy Goodchild

Thanks for this wonderful site.  I knew Dot and have a few stories.  Also photos of us after the Dome concert, at a private dinner party.  Would these be of any use to you?

I’m sure that other Dorothy fans would love to share your reminiscences and see the photos. Jeremy   

~

From Andy Bullivant

I worked with David Raven (Maisie Trollette) in a show in Jersey, the Channel Isles, where I lived in 1992.  I was ‘doing’ Dorothy and we got into conversation about her.

Johnny Tudor, who is in your Tributes section, was appearing in cabaret in 1981 at The Hawaiian club which now sadly is holiday flats.  I was working at Jersey Opera House on the Max Bygraves show and I got very friendly with the front of house manager who was a good mate of Johnny.  At the time there was a Chinese restaurant at the venue, and the management agreed to keep it open for a late meal for the cast.

During the meal somehow the conversation got around to Dot, and apparently she kept scrapbooks from day one!  Johnny said that she would ring him in the middle of the night and slur things like, ‘Do you know what the News Of The World said about me in 1955?  I’ll sue the bastards!’  This was 1981 when the vexatious litigant came in.

~  

From Jonathan Barrett

I really enjoyed listening to the radio show (although I wished that Eric had played a bit more Dorothy! And it was interesting to hear Danny La Rue’s version of Mother’s Day (with a Dot-esque ending!).  I also enjoyed the tracks from Dorothy Again!  I do have this LP but do not have a record player, so I’ve never actually heard it.  I loved Stardust.

The discography certainly is comprehensive.  I am going to collect the 7inch singles that have not yet made it to CD (eg. The Impossible Dream) and convert them to CD – it simply must be done.

I have e-mailed Castle Pulse to see if they have plans for further Dot releases – anything you can do in this area, please do!

Here’s to Dot, and my current fave – Something Greater.

~  

From Grant Williams

I am visiting some friends that have recently moved to Bexley.  Do you know anything about Dorothy’s mansion there – at St. Mary’s Mount – where she lived until the fire in 1974?  All I know is the name, but don’t know if the house is still there, or the road it is/was on.  Just thought it would be nice to take a look as I am going to be there.

~  

From Theo Morgan

I was wondering if you were aware of the Pulse CD ‘100 Fifties Favourites’ which I think includes several otherwise unavailable tracks by Dot from her time at Polygon and, later, Pye Nixa? The tracks included are: From Your Lips To The Ears Of God, Sorrento And You, Blue Blue Blue, Romany Violin, Changing Partners, White Wings, When I Grow Too Old To Dream, Lost And Found, Someone To Love and Dear To Me.

An idea I had – what about a 2CD anthology of Dot’s recordings for Polygon and Pye Nixa?  It could be similar to the ones Sanctuary has already done for Lita Roza and Gary Miller.

Thanks for the information about 100 Fifties Favourites, Theo.  Regarding a Sanctuary 2CD release, it’s a great idea and I know others have asked whether the company has plans for any further Dorothy releases (following the issue of the Drury Lane concert).  The best thing is to contact the company direct – the more who make contact with them, the more likely it is that there will another release.  Contact Lee Simmons at Sanctuary Records Group, A29 Barwell Business Park, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey KT9 2NY.  

~

From Steve Ali

Can one still buy Stars In Your Eyes?  Has it ever been on ‘the box’?

Stars In Your Eyes has never been released on video, let alone DVD, and to my knowledge has never even been shown on television.  However there have been several private screenings over the years, the most recent in south Wales prior to a Mike Terry concert.  The National Film Theatre has the original print, it is believed.

Stars In Your Eyes was made by Grand Alliance in 1956 and it is the story of a group of showbusiness performers who fight to keep a theatre open.  Dorothy plays the former wife of an alcoholic ex-songwriter, played by matinee idol Bonar Colleano (who sadly was killed in a car crash just two years later near Birkenhead). Also starring in the film are Pat Kirkwood, her husband Hubert Gregg, Nat Jackley and pioneering BBC radio presenter Jack Jackson.  There are also cameos by Freddie Frinton (naturally enough, playing a publican) and Jimmy Clitheroe.  Joan Sims also makes one of her earliest film appearances, prior to her later success in the Carry On…. Series.

Dorothy performs three songs, I Saw The Look In Your Eyes, Without You and With All My Heart, which were originally released on an EP (Pye Nixa NEP 24036).

Incidentally, Bonar Colleano’s son Mark – also an actor – turned up at Dorothy’s last ever concert at Brighton Dome, and was at the party afterwards.  He introduced himself to Dorothy who was delighted to meet him.  

~

From Christine Phillips

I have enjoyed reading about Dorothy Squires.  Could you please tell me if there are videos or DVDs of Dorothy that I can get hold of?  My dad saw Dorothy at the Sunderland Empire.  He is a big fan of her’s and one thing I would love to have is some footage, because dad is in ill health and I would love just to cheer him up.

Is there anyone who can help Christine?  If so, please e-mail her at Christine.Phillips@sunderlandhousing.co.uk  

~

From Peter Anderson

I love the website and have been a fan of Dot’s since the 60s.  I was lucky enough to meet her on several occasions and phoned her from time to time when she was living at The Fisheries in Bray.  I have wonderful memories of her concert at Wimbledon Theatre but I am disappointed no one ever recorded any of her shows.  If anyone can help with any video I will willingly pay whatever the price.

As with Christine above, anyone who can help Peter should contact him on pjxand61@blueyonder.co.uk

~

From Matt Yuill

Further to my earlier e-mail and the photos of Dorothy that you have put on the website, the picture at the pool in Bexley was taken on a new Polaroid camera that Roger had brought back from America. The night before they had a big party and Roger had been taking photos of everyone there.  Dot told him to ‘put the f***in’” thing away or she would put him and the ‘f***in’ thing in the pool!  It was a great night though.  If you look at the clock in the last picture you will see the time is 25 to four – that was in the morning!  So the old girl was still a night bird right to the very end.

~  

From Andy Bullivant

At last a proper and decent web site for Dorothy.  I was at the Dome Theatre (in Brighton) in March 1990 and saw what was sadly her last performance.  I’m glad this site has been set up in the memory of a great performer and survivor.

I thought the Dome was – to say the least – a bit hit and miss, the first half with David Raven (Maisie Trollette) seemed interminable.  However Dorothy’s reception was greater than any Bassey show I’ve been to!  However her thunder was almost stolen (from my seat) by Dora Bryan’s late arrival in the auditorium!  I assume she had been backstage to see Dorothy and just made it!  Opening with I’ve Got To Be Me, Dorothy forgot the words but and told the audience: “I told you I’d balls it up’!

The Dome Theatre show was Dorothy’s first in several years (the previous one had been at the Astoria in Roundhay, Leeds) and I’m told that she didn’t even have the opportunity to rehearse that day, which would explain the rather chaotic onstage proceedings.  However a capacity audience, which indeed included Doran Bryan, as well as Peggy Mount, Danny La Rue and Bobby Crush, cheered Dorothy to the rafters.  Afterwards Dorothy held court in a large room backstage, mingling with her friends and admirers.  I recall that she was thrilled to meet the late actor Bonar Colleano’s young son, Mark – also an actor -who had turned up unannounced and introduced himself to her.  Dorothy, of course, starred with Bonar Colleano in the Fifties film, Stars In Your Eyes.  Sadly Colleano died in a car crash in Birkenhead, near Liverpool, in 1958, when Mark was only three years old.

Further to my reply to Andy’s e-mail, re. Dorothy’s Brighton concert, Andy e-mailed back to say:

In response to your explanation of my description of Dorothy’s opening number at the Dome Theatre, you say that ‘Dorothy had little time to rehearse’.  In fact the situation was very much the reverse – I have it on good authority that Dot hogged the entire proceedings and would not let anyone else rehearse with ‘her orchestra’ as she put it!  She sang full belt all afternoon so by the time of the actual show her voice was strained … hence the constant remarks, ‘the big voice has gone’.

Not long after the Dome concert, the guy promoting it (I forget his name) had a big piece in one of the tabloids, saying that he was presenting Dorothy at the London Palladium and – quote – “This time HE is paying the bill”.  I was in London not long afterwards and the girls in the box office looked at me like I was mad when I tried to book!

Incidentally I noticed in the corridor leading to the Palladium booking office, there are photographs of all the stars who have appeared at the theatre and, where Dot’s picture had been, all that was left was just a mess of glue and the remnants from the back of a photograph!  Maybe at her request – who knows?

I was originally under the impression that this was a fan worship site, where nothing bad about the artist is ever said.  Anyway I’m glad this isn’t a ‘she was wonderful and did no wrong’ site because Dorothy was no saint (who is?).  Most big stars are nightmares and that’s why they are stars, but I have the feeling Dorothy invented it!

Yes, Dorothy’s photograph was mysteriously taken down from the Palladium ‘hall of fame’ several years ago.  All the signs were that it had been ripped off.  I seem to remember that the photograph had been the same one used on the back cover of the 1970 Palladium album.  The London Evening Standard did in fact pick upon this story, and used it on its diary page on the day of Dorothy’s death.

~  

From Andrew J. Haslam

Do you think that they will ever release Cheese N’ Wine on CD?  I just love this album. and would love to have a good copy of it.  Thanks to the site, I noticed that Live At Drury Lane has become available on CD and I am now enjoying it very much.

~

From P. S. Wilkin

I loved the web site.  Just wondered if Kenny Brown was still around?

Kenny was Dorothy’s pianist for many years and also took on the duties of musical conductor following the death of Nicky Welsh.  As far as I am aware, Kenny is alive and well – but can anybody out there help with more information?  It would be good to feature an interview with Kenny about his work with Dorothy, and also with Ernie Dunstall who was Dorothy’s musical arranger in the early 60s.

~

From Andrew Haslam

Bravo! What a great site.  I am a relatively new fan (since 1992).  For me there has been very little information about Ms Squires for me to understand her as a performer, and so your site is a fountain of knowledge to me.  I love the site and I shall be back on a very regular basis.

Much love, Andrew

~

From Peter Howley

It’s great to see Dorothy’s live album at Drury Lane out on CD and at an amazing budget price.  Sadly, though, it has been released without Nobody Does It Like Me.  Fortunately I have the original album but it would have been good to see it restored for the CD release.  It is a shame about the absence of the song – they were good lyrics (and I once pinched them and used them in a pantomime!) so I don’t see the problem, but I guess Dorothy Fields and Cy Coleman had their reasons!  However, it’s a thrill to see the show finally out on CD but how sad that Dorothy herself isn’t here to see it.

The website is just great!  I think Dorothy herself would have been thrilled with it.  You are to be congratulated for producing a site worthy of the great Dorothy Squires.  I saw Dot several times in concert back in the 70’s and I’ve never forgotten them.  Great nights.  And after one show she came to the stage door in her dressing gown and signed autographs, including one for me.  I still have my signed programme and signed copy of Cheese & Wine, and the memory of having met her, albeit briefly.  She was so sweet!

~

From Anne Edgar

I’ve just seen the notice on the website about the three hour programme on Radio Essex, and just wanted to let you know that I’ll be listening, via my computer here, in sunny Spain!  I am so pleased that a whole three-hour show is being devoted to Dot – as we all keep saying, not before time!  It’s also great that the Drury Lane show has been reissued on CD.  I recently transferred all my Dorothy albums onto CD, and she sounds just as good in foreign clime!

~

From Jonathan Barrett

I have a few questions  - please could you answer as many as you can.  It’s so difficult when you come to Dorothy late in terms of her career and there are so many things that I don’t know.

I’m aware of the Llanelli LP, the two Palladium concerts, the EMI Dorothy Again album, Drury Lane and Dominion Theatre concert recordings.  Were any of her other concerts recorded (particularly the later ones), even if only by fans.

I have been listening to the Dominion album (1979) a lot recently and, before she sings Feelings, she says that she has just recorded in the studio for an album to be released the following year.  Did she record any other tracks for this, and was it ever released?  Do the tracks survive today?

I sent you the President singles listing and I notice a lot of them are tracks that were on the live albums (like Maman/If He Walked Into My Life, etc).  Were the single releases lifted from the live albums or were they studio recordings?

What TV appearances did Dorothy make in the 70’s and 80’s.  I am really desperate to see footage of her performing.  Any pointers that you can give would be great.

There is amateur tape in existence of Dorothy’s final concert in Brighton which has been circulating among fans for several years.  I don’t know of any other live shows that were recorded.  Dorothy’s last studio album was Rain Rain Go Away in the late 70’s but it’s possible that she did record some tracks for a projected album, which obviously never saw the light of day.  Can anybody help with information about this?

Although Dorothy included songs like Maman, If You Love Me, If He Walked Into My Life, If I Could Go Back and Solitude’s My Home on her live albums, she also re-recorded them in the studios for release as singles.  Other singles like We Clowns were from the actual show recordings.

To my knowledge Dorothy only did one TV show in the 80’s and that was a Breakfast TV appearance, miming to her latest single I Am What I Am.  She also took part in the BBC documentary, The Big Time, dispensing advice (along with Dusty Springfield and Lulu) to a then-unknown Sheena Easton.  During the 70s I recall Dorothy appearing on The Golden Shot, Russell Harty (twice), Reg Varney’s Saturday night show, and of course her big TV comeback in ITV’s Saturday Variety show in 1971 (which was the launch pad to fame for Larry Grayson). She also featured in a documentary about the song My Way (an extract of which was used on BBC2’s 40^th anniversary programme last year) and there is her infamous appearance on a chat show in which she and Adrienne Corri nearly came to blows! (which again was shown on a TV documentary about chat show hosts’ worst nightmares in 2004)  Finally, there was a documentary about Dorothy, which only ever went out on BBC Wales (this was filmed at the time of the album and projected book Rain Rain Go Away, and preceded the Slate programme, also made by BBC Wales, by almost 20 years).  I recalled she also filmed a performance of Solitude’s My Home for a BBC variety show starring Welsh comics Ryan and Ronnie, but this was shelved after Dorothy was charged with offences in the notorious BBC Payola scandal.  And there was an appearance on a daytime Bob Monkhouse nostalgia programme (the title of which I have forgotten) in which Jessie Matthews also made a guest appearance. Can anybody out there help with a definitive list of Dorothy’s TV (and radio) appearances?

~

From Pat Dailey

Perhaps you can help with this enquiry.  Hilda Brown, who is mentioned in Dot’s biog – is that the same Hilda who was one of the dancing team Kay & Katrina?  Also, if you should contact Emily please send our regards to Joyce Golding, her mother.  She will remember that we did panto together and also variety.

Pat will be remembered by many as being one half of the comedy duo Dailey & Wayne who were extremely popular during the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies, working many of the top clubs and theatres around the country, as well as frequently appearing on television.  Hilda Brown will be known to many Dorothy fans as the “fan” in the autograph book musical sequences at Dorothy’s 1970 and 1971 London Palladium concerts and she can, of course, be heard on the live recordings.  Emily Squires e-mailed back to say: ‘Yes, Hilda was Kay & Katrina.  She now lives in the Grimsby area.  Mum does remember Dailey & Wayne but she can’t remember which panto.  Maybe Pat can help?’

Pat replied:

Tell Emily we did the very last panto 1955 at the Hackney Empire and Eastham Palace and the cast was, as I remember, Joyce, Dennis Spicer (the ventriloquist), Dailey & Wayne, The Jumping Jacks, and Marion Davies.  Joe Collins (Joan and Jackie’s father) produced the panto.  We worked in variety many times with Kay & Katrina, and I’m sure Hilda will remember King’s Lynn when all the cast went to see Roger Moore in his first film, The Last Time I Saw Paris.  I personally was so struck by the strikingly handsome guy that I was ragged by everyone and teased about my sexual preference!

Some short time later, when we at the Metropolitan Theatre, Edgware Road, I was summoned onto the side of the stage by the company manager and he introduced me to Dorothy and Roger.  He proceeded to put me on the spot by asking me to tell Roger what I thought about him.  It was most embarrassing and I was reluctant.  However, Roger insisted and I said, ‘I think you are going to be a great star in the mould of Cary Grant and all the other Hollywood Greats. 

Roger shook my hand and said, ‘I hope you’re right’.  That should have been the end of the story but we now jump to 1971.  I am coming out of the stage door at the London Palladium (after appearing in the Royal Variety Show) and I almost crash into Roger Moore, accompanied by Robert Wagner.  I tried to excuse myself and pass, but Roger held out his arms and stopped me.  He greeted me by name, ‘Hello Pat’, and I replied, ‘You don’t remember me?’.  Roger replied: ‘How could I forget my number one fan?’ and, turning to Robert Wagner, he told him how I had said he would be a star.  Wagner replied, ‘He wasn’t wrong, was he?’!

Pat has promised to come up with some reminiscences about Dorothy, which will appear, on the Tributes page.

~

From Matt Yuill:

Thanks so much for the wonderful site.  I had the great privilege of being a fan and friend of Dorothy’s for over forty years.  I stayed with her in Wales during January 1998 when the BBC were filming at her home, and she even insisted that I took part

Dot was in great form, having just got the all clear from the battle against bladder cancer, and she was delighted with the recent release of the London Palladium CDs.  Despite her objections and threats to burn it, I had bought her a CD player and after she finished filming one night the TV crew asked her to listen to the Palladium recordings.  Dorothy had not heard them on CD before and was thrilled at the sound quality.  She got up from her chair and, in black casual top, trousers and slippers, belted out the full Squires medley.  It was brilliant and little did I know it would be her last ever performance, right there in Esme’s kitchen in Wales.  I took some photos that night and sent copies to Esme and they appeared in the Rhonda Leader and Echo after Dorothy passed away.

How could I have known, when I left for Glasgow at 5am that Friday with the cheese and chicken sandwiches made by Dorothy – as she had always done since my first visits to Bexley – that a phone call from Esme that Sunday would tell me that Dorothy had been taken into hospital.  It was the start of a battle that she could not win.  I made my way back to Wales and to the hospital bedside.  As I was leaving her room I though she was asleep when her voice boomed out, ‘Matt, come back’.  I got to the bed, she said thanks for my CD machine, and gave me a cake of Aero chocolate.  I never saw my wee special pal again but oh, what wonderful memories she left me.

Thanks Dot, and thank you Chris for this great site.

 
Click on photos to enlarge

~

From Barrett Lafamille:

I don’t really know how I got into Dorothy’s music but I guess it was when I bought the CD re-issue of Rain Rain Go Away, mainly because I saw that both Born To Lose and If I Never Sing Another Song were both featured – both Bassey favourites of mine.  But when I heard Dorothy’s version’s I was immediately converted.  She makes Bassey sound totally fake.  The emotion is breathtaking and Norman Newell’s fabulous production on this LP is second-to-none.  It still remains my favourite of Dorothy’s albums to this day.

After hearing this CD I immediately started collecting everything I could get my hands on.  I was utterly unprepared for the Palladium recordings.  Every time I hear the Irony Of War medley I am unable to control my emotions.  It is awesome.  I just wish I had been able to see her live, as I have no idea how she performs on stage.  I only have the voice.  If you can help with any video material, or if anyone else on the site can, that’s just fantastic

~

From Barry Foster:

I have been a lifelong fan of Dorothy’s and saw most of her concerts from the Palladium in 1977, as well as at Blackpool, Halifax, Bradford, Batley Variety Club and Leeds.  Dorothy was the ultimate entertainer who could tear your heart out.  I loved her to bits, as did my late mother.  If there is ever a get together, do please let me know.

~

From John Jeffrey:

Just to say I love Dorothy Squires too.

~

From Colin Pickett:

I am delighted to find a website dedicated to the late great Dorothy Squires.  I came to discover Dorothy late in her career – 1972 to be precise, when I was fortunate enough to see her perform at the London Palladium.  I was hooked from that moment she walked onstage.  Dorothy had to be Britain’s original diva.  What an amazing entertainer, and what a voice.

I subsequently got to meet Dorothy on several occasions and it is thanks to her that I can say that I have been on the stage of the London Palladium and in the star’s dressing room.  Not only that but, due to Dot’s bountiful generosity, I even had her home number and was made to feel like a real friend.  I am sure the champagne is flowing in heaven and Dorothy is entertaining with all her heart.  What a pity in this digital age we don’t have a visual recording of those heady days.  Thank you to the record companies who have seen fit to release some of her live recordings on DVD for us to enjoy again.  I love the website but would love to see more pictures of Dot in all her feathered glory.

Keep up the good work Webmaster and take note everyone – Dot may be gone, but she is far from forgotten.

~

From Chris Rogers:

What a wonderful site, I’m very glad that Dot has been remembered.  I have so many wonderful memories of her as a friend and she was always personally encouraging me to follow my dreams as a freelance designer.  I sent my first photographs of my work to Dot for her comments and she later phoned me.  I wrote to her quite a lot between 1992 and 1998, probably about 30 times, and she telephoned me several times during this period.  Dorothy was a very wonderful person and I miss her so much.

Dorothy gave me much encouragement as a freelance ceramic designer and, thankfully, I am about to design for the nostalgia retail chain Past Times in their Art Deco section.  Thanks to her positive support, my dreams are finally coming true.

I’ve also been involved with the release of a Gracie Fields CD called Ramona, which is available through Past Times and has been well received.  Currently I am researching Dorothy’s radio broadcasts and appearances on programmes like BBC radio’s popular Variety Bandbox.  A friend has these precious recordings, which I hope to release one day so that all of Dorothy’s fans may enjoy them.

I regret never meeting Dot but, even though I knew where she was living, I respected this and did not invade her privacy.  I had too much respect for her.  I can honestly say that Dorothy was like my aunt, and I miss her so much now.

Thank you for a great website.  God bless you for keeping her memory alive, she was a truly remarkable person.

Its wonderful news about the radio shows and I am sure that many of us will hope that you are able to release Dorothy’s performances on CD.  Good luck with the venture, Chris!

~

From Steve:

I have enjoyed your site so much.  It’s a shame though that no videos or DVDs of Dorothy’s performances are commercially available.  I would love to see another of her performances.  As I live near Bexley, I was wondering whereabouts her house was.  Does anyone know?  Thanks again for the site.  I have placed it in my favourites and will return.

Dorothy lives at St. Mary’s Mount near Bexley old village.  Yes, it’s a big pity that there is nothing commercially available of Dorothy in concert.  Back in the 70s the facilities for filming any of her shows were very restricted, and doubtlessly very expensive.  Some fans do have an amateur video of Dorothy performing at the Astoria, near Roundhay in Leeds, in the late 80s.  The late Peter McCree, who ran Dorothy’s fan club for many years, filmed the event but sadly the visual quality (it was a hand-held camera) is nowhere near good enough to warrant a commercial release.

~

From Paul Goodhead:

Thanks for including my e-mail – I am thrilled to be a little piece of the great Squires site!  My stage act (mentioned previously) is very much old-style “talk of the town” and I use Dot’s Autograph Book sketch as the basis of my act.  This allows me to share my memories of the various stars that I have either worked with or met, or some of whom I even got to be friends with.  They included my late friend Anthony Newley (who appreciated Dorothy’s version of Who Can I Turn To?) and, of course, dear Dot herself.

When I was younger (and much prettier to look at!) I used to impersonate Dot in full drag, but these days I do it via my act which I perform in tuxedo.  The song that I shall be doing in the April gig at Bridges in Worcester will be Say It With Flowers and a further smattering of My Way.  In the past I have performed When There’s Love In Your Heart and other self-penned Squires numbers from her album Dorothy Sings Squires.

I have attached the first telegram from Dot to me on the occasion of my first-ever one-man show in 1980.  She was unable to make that one but her telegram proved to me she was every bit as genuine as the person I saw on stage, backstage, or spoke to on the telephone (although the language was a little more colourful at times!).

I still miss Dot and can never really accept the fact that I can never pick up the phone and hear her voice.  Love her forever!

Paul’s show, An Evening With Paul Goodhead, takes place on Saturday 9^th April 2005 at Bridges, Worcester.  For further details, Paul can be contacted by email at p.goodhead@virgin.net

~

From Peter Gadsby:

This is a fabulous site.  I knew Dorothy quite well and was in the studios with her at Marble Arch when she recorded I Am What I Am, Legend In My Time, The Wine Is There and the incredibly dramatic I The Chosen One.  At the end of I Am What I Am, which she performed in one take, the entire orchestra stood up and applauded her.  How fab was that?  Dorothy also gave me accreditation on her Dominion Theatre LP We Clowns, for suggesting its title.  She has left me with so many fond and loving memories of her.  It was great to find this website – many thanks for your time and effort.

Thanks for those memories Peter, and what a wonderful and unique experience it must have been to see Dorothy actually singing in the recording studio.  The songs that Peter mentions, recorded in 1983, are available on the President Records album I Am What I Am and were the last that Dorothy made in a recording career that had started back in 1936.  The studios to which Peter refers are the former Pye recording studios (sadly no longer there), just off Great Cumberland Place at Marble Arch.  Petula Clark, Sandie Shaw, The Kinks and The Searchers are just some of the names who recorded their many hits there.  The Pye studios were also the venue for many of Dorothy’s recording sessions, including those for her own Top 30 hits For Once In My Life, Till and My Way.

~

From Nick Haseltine:

After seeing Dorothy portrayed (very unfairly I believe) on BBC TV’s drama series The Long Firm, I just had to write and congratulate you on your excellent website which presents a far more accurate portrayal of this remarkable performer and person.  I visited Dorothy’s grave at Streatham Vale Cemetery, to pay my humble respects, very soon after her funeral, while the tribute flowers were still there.  One floral arrangement, in particular, really struck me because it was decorated with ostrich feathers like Dorothy used to wear on her gowns.  There was no accompanying card however, and I wondered if you knew whom the flowers were from?  Also, when I went back a week later, the feathers had gone, although the flowers (now dead) were still there. Can you enlighten me, please?  

The flowers and ostrich feathers arrangement was from top couturier Dougie Darnell and Shirley Bassey.  Dougie – was responsible for designing Dorothy’s stage gowns (which were always adorned with ostrich feathers), as well as those of Shirley, and Dusty Springfield.  In the early 70s Dusty used to joke in her stage act: “Do you like the gown?  I’ve borrowed it from Dorothy Squires … only I’ve got to let her have it back by midnight because she’s hired the Vatican for a one-night stand!”  I believe a Dorothy admirer eventually took the feathers into “safe custody” before the cemetery workers cleared the flowers from the grave.

~

From Ian Harries:

Thank you for this truly wonderful website for the late, great Dorothy Squires.  Positive articles about her are so long overdue.  Keep up the good work.  The photographs and tributes brought back so many memories of a truly unique person and performer.  I thank my HP that I was privileged to know Dot and to see her work in clubs, theatres and in the recording studio.  Her 1971 Palladium concert is etched on my memory – the war medley remains the greatest tour de force I have witnessed in any theatre anywhere.

 ~

From Sarah Lee:

Upon going through my late granddad’s things I came across some old Dorothy Squires test/sample records.  My granddad was given these by the late Cecil Madden, who was the first directorate of the BBC.  Would you happen to know of anyone who may be interested in these?  The test records are The Gypsy (only one-sided) and Under The Willow Tree (also one-sided), both on Parlophone.  They are both in plain record sleeves.  Non-test records are Dreams Of Yesterday/Coming Home; Danger Ahead/My First, My Last Love; For Always, Under The Willow Tree/Goodnight Till Tomorrow; and I’d Like To Get You Alone/It’s A Pity To Say Goodnight.  We would like to sell to someone who is interested in them.

If you’re interested in buying these rare recordings, please contact Sarah on SARAHLEE3690@AOL.COM.

~  

From Paul Roy Goodhead:

Firstly, thanks for the superb site.  At last there is a quality site in remembrance to the great Dorothy Squires.  Secondly, is there any news yet about the so-called biography that has been in the pipeline now for some time?  Dot was very kind to me when I first started in the business (I include a tribute to her in my act and my next big concert is in April) and I still treasure her telegrams that she sent me, and have fond memories of chatting to her on the phone when she lived in Bray.

No news about a biography I’m afraid, although there have been rumours circulating for some time that one is being written.  Dot’s story would certainly make for riveting reading, and a book is long overdue.

~

From Adrian Sedgwick:

What a wonderful site this is … thank you for taking the time out to research and develop the criteria for her fans like myself to read and remember her by.  The likes of Dorothy will never be heard again, she was a one-off artist that is given to us only once in a while.

I only had the pleasure of meeting Dorothy once, when she appeared at the Ace of Clubs in Leeds back in 1968.  My mum’s sister and brother-in-law were friends of the owner, Teddy Joyce and his wife, so I got in and sat in their private box to watch the cabaret.  When the main artist was on in the club, the main floor should have lifted up so that you could see the artist.  However this did not happen and, to make matters worse, Dot’s mike failed … she took a deep breath, threw it to the floor, and sang … every word was heard with no amplification whatsoever!  I was mesmerised.

Afterwards Dorothy came up to the box and we were introduced.  What a lovely warm person she was.  I was hooked on her singing then.  I do drag in Blackpool and I have made her part of my act, and it always goes down very well … even when I appeared in Benidorm, one guy said he had never heard of her, but was going to find her CDs.  He was disappointed this year when I did not take my clothes and make-up!

I hope this site is well recognised and many other people contribute to it.

~

From Carl Holden:

Are there any plans to re-release the recording of Miss Squires’ Live At Drury Lane?  My own LP is rather worn now!  The site is great …

There are no plans at the moment for the reissue of the 1973 Drury Lane Concert, which is a pity as it is one of Dorothy’s great live recordings.  I believe that the rights are held by Sanctuary Records who own the original Pye Records catalogue.  Incidentally if your original vinyl double-album features Dorothy’s version of Nobody Does It Like Me, then you have a rarity.  Only a few copies were released before Pye withdrew the album, and then reissued it minus that particular track.  The problem was that Dorothy had re-written some of the lyrics, referring to her own life including an appearance at the Old Bailey, without the permission of the original songwriters, (Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields!  They objected and the album had to be withdrawn.

~

From Ronald John Saunders:

I would be interested to know whether the Hedley Ward Trio ever appeared in concert with Dorothy as I am researching into the life and times of Jack Mckechnie, who was their guitarist.  Incidentally was Dorothy’s autobiography Rain Rain Go Away ever published?

Can anyone help Ron with his enquiry about the Hedley Ward Trio?  Rain Rain Go Away was never published (although a serialisation of it was run in the Sunday People) because of copyright problems.  It is believe that the bailiffs took Dorothy’s original manuscript when she was evicted from Bray and no one is sure what happened to it.

~

From Peter Howley:

Thank you for this beautiful site.  It has been a constant disappointment that Dot didn’t have a suitable tribute on the web and now here is one.  And it could hardly be better, a great tribute to a truly great star.

I saw Dorothy onstage several times in the 70’s and have never forgotten her brilliance on stage.  She gave me her autograph after one concert.  She was so sweet to an awkward gawky youngster.  I was amazed how tiny she was because, on stage, she seemed ten feet tall.  She really was unique and a great talent.  Again, thanks for this great site to a great star.

~

From Rachel Jones:

I have finally had the chance to read the whole website and I think you have done a really superb job.  It was about time that Dorothy had a tribute site all of her own!

~

From Rob T:

I am in need of your assistance.  I have a vinyl of Dorothy Squires Live At The London Palladium and am enquiring on its value.  I was wondering if you could help me.

I have seen copies of Dorothy’s 1970 and 1971 London Palladium double-albums selling for as much as £30.  A quick look at E-bay (the internet auction site) should give you an idea of their current worth.

~

From Grant Williams:

I was so pleased to find this website while looking at President Records’ site for Dorothy’s recordings.  I have been a fan of hers practically all my life.  I am 41 now but grew up, from as young as I can remember, listening to my father playing her records every Sunday morning.  For years I have been searching for any material about Dorothy, but with little luck, so it was a lovely surprise to find your site.

The crazy thing is that since Dorothy died, the amount of CDs that I have seen about in record shops is incredible, and yet there was a period – particularly during the 90’s – when you could hardly find anything.  I have bought all the recent ones available.  The original Say It With Flowers has always been my favourite, as is the album The Seasons Of Dorothy Squires.  I also bought Live At The London Palladium when it was released on CD in 1998.  I have always preferred Dorothy’s voice from the 60’s onwards, rather than her earlier records.  Her voice became so much stronger and emotive.

My father knew Dorothy and that is why I grew up listening to her music  Strangely enough a friend of mine in his mid-thirties heard me playing the album Say It With Flowers not so long ago, and asked me who the singer was.  I told him and he said that he had heard of Dorothy Squires, but had never heard her singing.  Now he is hooked and has been buying her CDs!

Unfortunately Dad isn’t with us anymore and I do miss the stories he used to tell about Dorothy.  I also knew some people who had a pub in Wales, I think in the Rhonda Valley.  They also knew her quite well and have told me some funny stories about when Dorothy got a bee in her bonnet about something or other.  I also knew a man who used to do her window cleaning when she lived at St. Mary’s Mount.  I think it was back in the 60’s and 70’s before she had that terrible fire there

There certainly was a period during the 90’s when very few of Dorothy’s recordings were available.  This was partly due to the fact that Dorothy owned the masters of her later material, and had a deep mistrust of record companies.  Eventually she agreed a deal with Sterndale Records for the re-issue of her 1970 and 1971 Palladium concerts.  The reason why there are now so many CDs of Dorothy’s earlier material available is because those songs have gone out of copyright and are now in the public domain.  Generally a recording is in copyright for 50 years after its original release so record companies are free to re-issue any of her recordings which pre-date 1955.

~

From Theo Morgan:

Great website, and I agree {with Radio Two presenter Russell Davies} that a web tribute for Dorothy is long overdue.  How about including a discography of Dorothy’s 78s and 45s?

We’re working on that one, Theo!

© 2004 - 2005 www.dorothysquires.co.uk