Reader Experiences - Jay

I left school at 16 determined to progress my singing career, I won a talent competition in Portsmouth and got a 12 week booking at the Pack cabaret venue. I continued to work the club circuit with various bands which led to a tour of the RAF bases in Germany, and then a big band residency on the Mecca circuit, working with stars such as Matt Monroe, Frankie Vaughan and the Three Degrees.

It was through this that I was signed by EMI in 1977 which led to a single “Far Flung Stars” and tours of Russia, Poland, Italy, Holland and Germany. I always knew as soon as I arrived at any venue what sort of a night I would have and would often do card readings for people after the gigs.

When I was touring in Russia I was in my hotel room one night when there was a knock on the door, it was a man of my colouring, very gentle and very calm and he just shook my hand and said “I am passing it on to you now”. I was convinced I had seen an angel.