BUDDY WALKER

Some years ago , under my real name , I ran the "Nicky Walker Entertainment Agency" in Norwich . I ran my office , as so many do , from home . I'd started the business years previously from nothing . Like most things in my life , I fell into it almost by accident . I was already booking acts , and people I knew , to enhance various evenings I was presenting , they were the best years . I got swept along with it and the business flourished . In those days , of course , an agent had to be licenced . As well as booking very good unknown acts , I was also very fortunate to book a lot of the well known top names from the world of show business . Here below are a selection of photographs of me with some of them - good years !

The New Ivy League . In my opinion , the best 3 piece in the UK . Musically and vocally superb , and hilariously funny as well . Michael , David and John became the best of good mates . It was always a pleasure meeting up with them , which I often did . I have a superb CD of theirs which also includes one of the best versions of "That'll Be The Day" ever !

With Anne and Maureen Nolan .

Berni Flint , an incredibly talented singer and guitarist , and a nice line in patter .

The late , great Alvin Stardust , who told a great story about how he met up with Buddy Holly and The Crickets in the dressing room of a UK theatre .

Bobby Gee from Bucks Fizz , who perform a very professional show .

Billy Pierce , one of the funniest young comedians at that time , and a real grafter .

The Bootleg Beatles , the UK's top Beatles tribute band .

Cannon and Ball , two extremely professional gentlemen . Their routines had our audiences in hysterics .

With my very good friend , Brian Poole . Such a nice guy who does a lovely show . Brian loves to talk about the time he met Buddy Holly in London . Buddy gave him a song called "Someone" , which Brian and The Tremeloes took to the top of the UK charts .

Dave Lee Travis , "The Hairy Monster" . We reminisced about years previously when we would meet up in the early hours in a Manchester eaterrie in Albert Square , when I was with some of my group members and Dave came in with some other DJ friends of his .

The late Frank Carson , he's a cracker ! I suppose it's just the way he told them ! Met up with Frank again on the Costa del Sol when we worked together at the Elefante for my local agent Chris King .

Katrina from Katrina and the Waves , winners of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997 .

My meeting with Des O'Connor , April 2005 at Peterborough Showground . I didn't actually book Des , but I was booked to compere the show and do a 30 minute "Buddy" tribute spot . Talking with Des in the afternoon , we went back to March 1958 , when he compered the UK tour of Buddy Holly and The Crickets . A lovely man to talk to !

With Hale and Pace , on a show where I was the compere in York . Funny and also a real joy to work with .

Fogwell Flax , quite easily , without any props except a microphone , the most talented impressionist I have ever seen . Hailing from Liverpool , his "Doddy" is second to none , but you should hear his impressions of jet aircraft , heavy goods trucks etc .

Jimmy Cricket , as lovely a man as he is funny . Some of the younger comedians of today would do well to watch Jimmy as he is a master of timing and of his craft .

Hazell Dean , great act from the '80s .

Little and Large , who I worked with in Birmingham . On talking to Sid , I discovered he was a big Buddy Holly fan . Of course Eddie is no longer with us .

The one on the right is the late Keith Harris !

The Barron Knights , a great act with classic comedy and song , with performances all over the world , including Buckingham Palace .

Showaddywaddy , with all their great hits , always a fantastic show .

The Grumbleweeds , Robin , Tony and the late Graham Walker , always so hilariously funny . I remember them in the early days as a 5 piece , and in the last few years I was booking The Weeds with just Robin and Graham . Met up again with them on the Costa del Sol during their numerous visits to work for Chris King .

The Crickets in London , 2001 . Left to right - Joe B Mauldin , Sonny Curtis , Jerry Allison and sometimes piano player , Glen D Hardin , who was in the Elvis Presley band for the Vegas years .

The Manfreds , left to right - Tom McGuinness , Paul Jones and Mike D'Abo . Paul Jones wanted my Buddy Guy's "Legends Blues Club , Chicago" T shirt from me . Met up again with Mike D'Abo on the Costa del Sol when he performed at the Elefante .

The Krankies , what a unique and fabulous act . Also incredibly hard working .

I had booked Frank Bruno , on behalf of clients , to open a brand new Bingo Hall . As you would expect , he was as charming as ever , and the last thing on his mind was rushing home . I took my youngest daughter , Olivia , and my son Richard along with me . My fondest memory is seeing Frank and Olivia in fits of laughter when he discovered they both had a favourite rap star by the name of Slim Shady .

Marty Wilde and me . This was taken at a big concert on LincolnShowground . Marty was on the bill and so too were The Manfreds . We chatted before the show about the time when I had worked on an outside broadcast for Anglia Television , at the Britannia Pier Theatre , Great Yarmouth , when I was 14 , and Marty was the guest star that night , but unfortunately he had a slight problem remembering that far back !!

Tina Charles . It was great for me on the night to catch up with Tina , as back in '72 / '73 , we were in a band together called "Northern Lights" . It was a 5 - piece , in London , one of the best bands I've ever been involved with .

The Searchers , with original member , John McNally . I checked with him personally about the band's name originating from John Wayne's movie of the same name , and he confirmed it to be true . Top quality band with some great chat from bass player Frank Allen .

Chris Farlowe , who I first saw performing when I was 19 years old . I've been a lifetime fan of his since "The Thunderbird" days , along with my favourite guitarist , Albert Lee . In my opinion , Chris is the finest white Blues singer to ever come out of the UK , I'm sure an opinion shared by many . A musician's singer !

With Albert Lee . Along with Chris Farlowe , Albert has been a favourite of mine since time began , back in the days of The Thunderbirds . Over the years , I've seen Albert many times , including a private guitar clinic for about 60 people . The picture shows him performing with "Hogan's Heroes" , bringing back fond memories of "The Twisted Wheel" in Manchester . Albert was also the MD for The Everly Brothers .

The late Clem Curtis , lead singer of "The Foundations" . Such a pleasure to hear him performing those classic hits , "Build Me Up Buttercup" and "Baby , Now That I Found You"

Xmas Day lunch at top restaurant , Miraflores , on the Costa del Sol , with my agent and good friend , Chris King , and his girlfriend , Paula . We were working together , with Chris compering our show .

With Jimmy Jemain , another dear friend . Jimmy starred as Cliff Richard in the highly acclaimed West End stage production "Cliff - The Musical" . Here we are together at The Riviera Hotel , Benalmadena , on the Costa del Sol , where one night I performed and the next night , Jimmy performed there too , both for Chris King , so we turned up to support each other on the night .

The Miraflores 25th Anniversay celebration , on the Costa del Sol , where I was booked to perform on a double bill with top Elvis Presley tribute Neil J Duncan , who was flown in from the UK for the show . Shown here with Neil and my agent Chris King .

Some years ago I was asked to understudy Marc Robinson in the theatre production of "Rockin On Heaven's Door" . Lucky old Marc having that show to himself ! Nice guy and great Buddy performer . There were however some evenings he couldn't make and for that I shall be eternally grateful. Great show, great performers and nice guys in the band . In this picture we were at The Embassy Theatre in Skegness , lovely venue and an unforgettable night .

Having done just about everything in this business by being a singer/musician/entertainer , I had done a fair amount of recording with various groups both in terms of records etc , and also recorded music for BBC radio . Acting had deluded me until I was offered some bitparts and walk-ons in small TV dramas and films . A lot ofthese were for - due to my naturally dark curly hair, beard and swarthy looks - Arab type parts ! I have been a rich oil sheik placing my bets at the casino table and also a dirty old fakir penniless and thrown in jail.

For acting purposes, and to keep other business interests separate , I was using my middle name , hence Garth Walker . Sounds the part anyway . My biggest thrill was to play a grumpy Turkish cafe owner in Anglia TV's production "The Verger" opposite Richard Briers . What an experience for me, a speaking part, playing scenes with such a consumate professional . I was also one of two security guards " heavies " in a production starring Christopher Lee . How nice if that had been the start of something, unfortunately it led to Anglia TV winding down on their dramas and becoming more or less a news station .

The New Ivy League . In my opinion , the best 3 piece in the UK . Musically and vocally superb , and hilariously funny as well . Michael , David and John became my good mates . It was always a pleasure meeting up with them , which I often did .I have a superb CD of theirs which also includes one of the best versions of "That'll Be The Day" ever !