The Entertainer
Last updated: 15/02/2008 - 12:50
We talk to Mr. Joe Longthorne - arguably one of Britain’s best-loved 'old school' musical entertainers - about his career, his voice and his long-running, unique stage show.
Joe Longthorne is arguably one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers. He is a man who has - for the last twenty years – mesmerized audiences, both on the stage and on his many television appearances.
With an impressive vocal range and an immense vocal talents and uncannily accurate impersonations – from Shirley Bassey and Barry White to his incredible 'Rat Pack': Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior.
Born into a travelling family ('Gypsies', Joe says) on 31st May 1955, the young Joe Longthorne was baptised at St Winifrid's church in Hull and spent the first part of his life in the family home in Wilford Terrace.
"I kept getting banned for fighting"
He attended the Villa Place Primary School, in Walker Street, off Hessle Road. From there he went on to attend no less than thirteen additional primary schools…"I kept getting banned for fighting" He says. Not really the academic type, young Joe didn't do very well at school. It was much later in his life before he found out that he was dyslexic. Surprisingly he also turned out to be deaf in one ear - but that doesn't appear to have held him back in his chosen career!
Joe began performing in talent shows at the age of four, and by his early teens was beginning to make a name for himself on programmes such as Yorkshire Television's Junior Showtime, which was produced by Jess Yates, a man whose memory Joe still holds in great regard. Jess gave a great deal of encouragement to all the youngsters who took part in the show, and helped to build up their confidence in their own abilities. In 1981, Joe appeared in the London Weekend television series Search for a Star, and this lead to wider national recognition. Joe's very own television series soon followed.
"Joe can do me better than I can do myself" - Shirley Bassey
Joe's repertoire of voices contains more than a hundred of the world's finest singers, and Shirley Bassey, one of the subjects Joe is most famous for impersonating, says: "Joe can do me better than I can do myself".
Joe has an army of dedicated fans who follow him wherever he appears, and he is on first-name terms with many of them. This relationship, together with Joe's dedication to his fans, ensures that records and videos are eagerly awaited and are always well received. He has several platinum disc winning albums to his name.
In his career so far he has shared the same stage with many of the world's greatest artists, appearing in Royal Variety Performances and also with Bob Hope at the London Palladium. He has won countless awards for his work over the years and has undertaken numerous national and international tours. Just back from a tour of Australia and performances in Las Vegas - where he wowed his audiences with his unique style - Joe Longthorne is now undertaking a tour of England.
All of Joe's tour dates will be announced first on his own website so point your browser at: www.joelongthorne.com
PSP Ltd is not responsible for the content of external websites.