Eric Lord Talks to Ernest Broadbent Blackpool Tower Organist

Eric Lord Interviews Ernest Broadbent. Who took over from Reginald Dixon as principal resident organist at the world famous Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer organ Blackpool in 1970. Here he talks about his long musical career and playing at the Tower with Eric Lord. I think this interview shows just what a fine and much respected musician Ernest Broadbent was.

[@allanskirrow7601]

A really insightful interview. It’s easy to forget how popular the home organ was in those days. Many who played at home would make their annual trip to Blackpool and hear and speak to Ernest who made them most welcome. That fuelled their enthusiasm and so it went on. Good to hear both Ernest and Eric speak. Eric had a music shop in Blackburn at this time besides broadcasting on the local radio for which this interview was made. Whilst known for his Crawford-like arrangements Eric was keen on jazz oriented players like Dick Hyman who he often featured on the show. Thanks for uploading this.

[@BramleyProductions]

Thanks, Allan yes this does really looking back seems the golden period of the home electronic organ which therefore created a rejuvenation in the Cinema and Theatre organ. Looking back I remember even here in Northampton in the 1970's we had a shop in the main town centre newly built Grosvenor centre selling home organs and music and such like but that had long gone by the 1980s! Listing to this interview again after many years I was also surprised how both Eric Lord and Earnest Broadbent said about how little interest there seemed when they were playing the organs in cinemas in the 1930s. That surprised me as I was not around then, but I always just assumed there had been great interest then. I read a few weeks ago that Yamaha doesn't even import there home keyboards to the UK anymore now. How sad will have to keep my old Kawai SR6 going? Thanks again Kev.

[@stevepennell8008]

Its a shame lots of these lovely organs were scrapped

[@tonbezemer6655]

Ernest was the organist who got me reall into the theatreorgan. His great musical skills made me going to so many of his concerts. How right he is in this interview when the Empress was removed to be playhouse theatre it just sounded shit, he just said very polite he did NOT like it. The use of the so called tower couplers had a good reason in that building...….the aucoustics of a building is the most important stop. Putting organs in small buildings is often not a success. The Tower organ with the chambers high up and the Empress are nearly the same organs but the Empress not so good for the player as it was difficult to play for dancing this had nothing to do with the organ but the acoustics, but great sounds it made! Unfortunally too many organist these days use the tower couplers in the wrong way on other organs, they don't play in venues with 2000 people in were the organ is just not loud enough!!! Many theatreorgan people are amazed that the audiences are almost gone………….well just listen to these recordings and the use of the instruments and it is clear most organists just are not capable to play this way these days. Yes Ernest took me down under the stage and I rise the console by playing For You well that's with the help of Ernest. When I was back in Holland I made the modell which was later on the Blackpool Favourites record. Great organist and always so very kind.