£5,000 for Ludlow roofer's rock n roll birthday
More than £5,000 has been raised at a Shropshire roofer's rock n roll birthday party – attended by none other than 60s icon Marty Wilde.
The day before he played Ludlow, original heart throb and Teenager in Love singer Marty was getting his MBE at Buckingham Palace.
And making his guest appearance at the do at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, he even brought it along to show to people, said organiser Mike Morris.
Marty was appearing as part of Mr Morris's annual charity party, an event which has raised a whopping £50,000 over the years, hosting 60s stars such as The Searchers, The Manfreds and The Swinging Blue Jeans.
But it was a return for Marty, 10 years after he appeared at Mike's first charity gig, which the south Shropshire roofer put on for his 65th birthday.
Now 75, Mike said: "I know Marty quite well, I've sponsored him at the Castle a couple of times, he's really down to earth.
"He's 78 and the Queen asked him if he was still working and he said, yes, he'd got this gig in Ludlow. And he said that she said 'Is that Mike's party?'," he joked.
"He's been 60 years in the business this year and he was there with his younger daughter Roxanne Rizzo. She's not as well known as his other daughter (80s pop icon) Kim Wilde, but she sings with Kylie Minogue – basically whenever you see Kylie on stage, she's there behind her – and she's sings with Marty when she's available."
Supporting Marty Wilde was Traveling Wilburys tribute the Trembling Wilburys, at short notice after fellow 60s star Mike Berry had to pull out due to ill health.
"They were just great," Mike said, "When you saw the guy playing George Harrison's part you'd think he'd come back to life."
Money from this year's event will be going towards charities that supported his brother, he said.
"My brother Tom sadly died last year, and he was a big part of these dos, so this one was in memory of him. He was looked after by Macmillan Cancer Support and the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Chester," he said.
Marty Wilde's Ludlow appearance comes as the singer has announced a 60th anniversary tour.
The Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll Show will start in October and also include original icons Mike Berry, Eden Kane and Mark Wynter.
