12 March 2010

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I don't know how long "Weekend Wogan" can rely on the good nature of our musical maestro, Elio Pace. The poor soul is coming in for the kind of abuse the listeners usually reserve for me.



"Hale and Pace? Didn't know they played piano" ... " If that's Telly Savalas, where's his lollipop?" ... "Elio Pace? That's Omad Djalili !" ... "I'm Elio's neighbour. Would you ask him to get me a pound of butter and a pint of milk on his way home?" ... Look, he doesn't get paid enough for this stuff, although I know it's meant kindly. I found him in the band room sobbing gently, long after they'd doused the lights last Sunday. I don't want him turning into a "Phantom of the Opera" figure and luring one of our featured stars into an underground basement. I've put a couple of extra security guards on June Whitfield next Sunday just in case....

What with the major musical acts we feature (next Sunday, Beverley Knight, Paul Carrack both of whom will undoubtedly tear the place apart) it's easy to forget the huge role Elio Pace, Singers and Band play in making "Weekend Wogan" such a live-music treat. They're not just there for the Sig.tune (which Elio wrote), the solo numbers such as "Elio's Aperitif" nor even the matchless "Janet and John" sting. Elio does the arrangements, backs the stars with vocal and musical brilliance and makes a very decent 3- course roast Sunday dinner on his little primus.

"Weekend Wogan" wouldn't be the same without added Pace.....
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Posted in  •  13 comment(s) »

Comments

Norman Macintosh says:

He’s a good man right enough, and did us a great track on last year’s Bandaged CD.

We have noticed that himself and the band and singers are equally to be credited with increasing the profits of the adjacent “Pizza Express” restautrant post Weekend Wogan, although our booking for 30 TOGs after the first show might take some beating!

Long may they rattle the walls of the Radio theatre!

Big Normski

Helen Pace says:

Never mind him being called ‘Hale & Pace’…I married Elio and my name is Helen.
Hale & Pace…Helen Pace!!!

A lovely blog Terry and Weekend Wogan is great. x

Malc Tyrie says:

Elio and his band just get better and better every week. Fantastic show all round.,
Great to watch on video highlights too.

Elizabeth says:

So good to hear brilliant singers and live musicians from the Elio Pace Band. Love Weekend Wogan.

Rosie Turner says:

Elio Pace and the band are consistently fantastic, they are so talented. It is amazing how they go from ballads to jazz, swing, rock ‘n’ roll and sound great at all of it. I’d never heard of Elio Pace before Weekend Wogan, but I’ve become a huge fan and downloaded his new album off itunes, it’s brilliant! Thanks Terry for discovering such a great talent.

Phil Monty says:

I know these are financially sensitive times at the BBC, but is there a course that Elio could attend to help him cope with the barbed wit and caustic comments? It might be worth contacting the personnel department to see if there are any places left on the week long “How to avoid sobbing in the band room” training session. I’m told it’s very popular.

Stuart ( Bing ) McNee says:

Can not wait till Monday to watch this great show. Perhaps should show it live as well.
Well done everyone.
Regards
Bing
xx

wendylois says:

Elio has always been a brilliant musician, but is also the nicest, most genuine person you could ever wish to meet, and a true friend. So glad he’s at last getting the recognition he’s always deserved.

Togmeister says:

Look ! Just because I say a kindly word,don’t go mad! Elio’s doing it for the free food,although I can’t believe he and his starving players turned down Richard Corrigan’s oysters last Sunday. I had to force them to eat the haddock balls! These people are spoiled. Bread and water next week. Unless of course a kindly soul turns up with some fancies… Heston ? Gordon ? Marco ? Ah,Delia ! I knew you wouldn’t let us down…..

Edina Cloud says:

I hoped that once I started the ball rolling with provender you would get some contributions every week.Richard Corrigan’s goodies were rather more exotic than my little cakes.Smoked salmon was lovely,thank you.

Rockdad says:

Has the second half of the show started yet? Or is there a week’s silence following “Your Country Needs You”.
I shall say no more.

Millicent Grumble says:

My younger daughter informed me this morning in her usual timely fashion, that I had to provide something Irish for her to take into school for St Partick’s day. All I could find at first were books by Sir Terry and one by Diarmuid Gavin. I didn’t think these were enough, so I packed a bottle of Bailey’s into her satchel. At least it would have kept the teachers happy. As I dropped her off they were playing ‘Irish Rover’ in the classroom and I’m a bit concerned that they may have mixed the cream and the milk as she came home in a foul temper.

Sheila Tarleton says:

Elio is a lovely man and he speaks very highly of you in spite of the paltry diet. No such thing as a free lunch, he earned those haddock balls! Sadly his fame is spreading and we’ll only be able to afford the cheap seats now!!! Still, got to love him and I’ll be sending him a knotted hankie now the sun’s coming out……

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