Post by rossi on Jun 20, 2007 10:07:13 GMT
Not every ones cup of tea, but if you knew the real Bernard you might have been surprised.
I worked as a duo at the Embassy club for years and the tales I could tell would make your hair curl. It's ironic that I just put together a new publicity poster of myself and I used one of the snap shots taken at the Embassy.
When he did the Royal command performanve a long time back, (I think it was The RCP,) the TV programme had been recorded and Bernard set up a television at the front of the stage ready for the punters to watch when his bit came on.There was a girl vocalist singing on his stage and the moment his spot was being shown he just stood up and told her to "F*** ***. you're going to watch a real star now" The poor girl had never worked for him before and was almost in tears.
When I was doing a solo act at the Embassy, (Guitar/Vocalist), he used to bring me off with the words,"Thanks once again to Ross Marshall...(audienced clapped)", and then he'd have a battered old acoustic guitar with him for a comedy routine and he would say to me as I trooped off stage..."Now stick around son...you're going to get a F****** guitar lesson now!"
I was even on his "This Is Your Life" show when they caught him at the Embassy. Aspell was in the dressing room with me whilst Bernard was on stage. The club was full of Extra lights and cameras, so how Bernard didn't know anything is beyond me. Before Bernard went on stage he told me that all the gear was being used for a documentary and that he was going to give me a really good plug as he brought me on stage for my spot. Needless to say I didn't get one. but I managed to slip onto the back of the stage and stand with Dave Green (his keybord player) as Aspell gave him the book. Still got the video!
About six years ago he actually came over to the Canaries to do a couple of spots and I was in a bar with a couple of technicians and a DJ who I knew, and they were going to interview him. They were all nervous and kept asking me what questions they should ask...seeing as I was from his part of the world. I said nothing and then they decided to take me with them to meet "The Great Guy."
We got to his apartment and there was Bernard in his customary massive underpants and socks and nothing else. "Come on lads, come in," he boomed as they meekly sauntered through the door. I was the last to enter and as he saw me he just said..."As I live and breath...F****** Ross Marshall."
The faces on the crew were an absolute picture.
He was also a big Man City fan as I am, and we always chatted about all the thingy ups that had been made by our beloved team, and I used to finish my act at the Embassy Club with singing the Blues. In the dressing room afterwards he would always say..."One day Ross, you'll get the words right to that song." He was a perfectionist. To this day I still sing 'em wrong!
As I say, not everyones cup of tea, but a larger than life character who would make you laugh, not like some of these so called comics today. He took the mickey out of every person on earth, himself included. Life was never too serious.
Sadly missed.
Rossi
I worked as a duo at the Embassy club for years and the tales I could tell would make your hair curl. It's ironic that I just put together a new publicity poster of myself and I used one of the snap shots taken at the Embassy.
When he did the Royal command performanve a long time back, (I think it was The RCP,) the TV programme had been recorded and Bernard set up a television at the front of the stage ready for the punters to watch when his bit came on.There was a girl vocalist singing on his stage and the moment his spot was being shown he just stood up and told her to "F*** ***. you're going to watch a real star now" The poor girl had never worked for him before and was almost in tears.
When I was doing a solo act at the Embassy, (Guitar/Vocalist), he used to bring me off with the words,"Thanks once again to Ross Marshall...(audienced clapped)", and then he'd have a battered old acoustic guitar with him for a comedy routine and he would say to me as I trooped off stage..."Now stick around son...you're going to get a F****** guitar lesson now!"
I was even on his "This Is Your Life" show when they caught him at the Embassy. Aspell was in the dressing room with me whilst Bernard was on stage. The club was full of Extra lights and cameras, so how Bernard didn't know anything is beyond me. Before Bernard went on stage he told me that all the gear was being used for a documentary and that he was going to give me a really good plug as he brought me on stage for my spot. Needless to say I didn't get one. but I managed to slip onto the back of the stage and stand with Dave Green (his keybord player) as Aspell gave him the book. Still got the video!
About six years ago he actually came over to the Canaries to do a couple of spots and I was in a bar with a couple of technicians and a DJ who I knew, and they were going to interview him. They were all nervous and kept asking me what questions they should ask...seeing as I was from his part of the world. I said nothing and then they decided to take me with them to meet "The Great Guy."
We got to his apartment and there was Bernard in his customary massive underpants and socks and nothing else. "Come on lads, come in," he boomed as they meekly sauntered through the door. I was the last to enter and as he saw me he just said..."As I live and breath...F****** Ross Marshall."
The faces on the crew were an absolute picture.
He was also a big Man City fan as I am, and we always chatted about all the thingy ups that had been made by our beloved team, and I used to finish my act at the Embassy Club with singing the Blues. In the dressing room afterwards he would always say..."One day Ross, you'll get the words right to that song." He was a perfectionist. To this day I still sing 'em wrong!
As I say, not everyones cup of tea, but a larger than life character who would make you laugh, not like some of these so called comics today. He took the mickey out of every person on earth, himself included. Life was never too serious.
Sadly missed.
Rossi
