3’s Company variety show 1963

‘”I always love reading about Albert Bonici.” [John MacDonald] http://resurrectedvinyl.blogspot.com/2009/03/john-macdonald-plays-fireside-scottish.html

“I worked for him way back in 1963. He decided to venture away from pop groups for a while and put together a variety show called  “Three’s Company”.  It starred Anita Harris , Steve Cameron, and Allan Bruce ( who was sacked by Albert shortly after the show started after various disagreements, and replaced by a Canadian Singer from England Ronnie Hall). I was a young instrumental supporting act at the ripe age of 15 on the show . “‘  The 3’s Company variety show featuring Anita Harris, Steve Cameron, John MacDonald, and Ronnie Hall, are featured below. Anita Harris [ Bonici archives circa 1963] https://scotbeat.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/anita-harris/

Steve Cameron [circa 1963]

Scottish singer Allan Bruce, who recently toured Australia for radio and TV, plans to return later this year.  [Billboard magazine 15May61]

John MacDonald – Three’s Company, Grampian television [Aberdeen] 1963 “We did work Elgin Town Hall with the Three’s Company show… I think it would have been the first show of the tour and Albert may have tested the ground starting off the show in his home town. 
Allan Bruce was on that night plus Steve Cameron and of Course Anita Harris and yours truly. I remember quite clearly John Worth manager of the Empire Theatre,  Inverness was present on the night. I have a memory of him even playing piano for us on the show as Alex Sutherland band only backed us on the TV series. I also remember Albert had Jean Birse Dancers added to the Elgin Town Hall show to kick it off. Albert contracted a husband and wife duo from Aberdeen – keyboard and drums – and brought a guitar player up from England called Laurie to add to the combo!
Elgin town hall was not what you would call a big crowd…but as stated before, it was a way of I suppose a dress rehearsal for Albert’s Variety Show… sad that Grampian did not take up the option of another series. I think they only made a series of six. Eddie Joffe directed the first few shows then Mike Bevan took over for the rest…both directors were both contracted from English TV channels.”

John MacDonald – Three’s Company/Grampian Television [circa 1963]: John was part of the summer tour for “3’s COMPANY” at age 15

Bonici advert 19 Jun 1963. This marked the tours beginning

Three’s Company press release

John MacDonald – letter of recommendation

John MacDonald

We also did a TV series from Grampian in Aberdeen. Sadly no footage of the show was kept in there libraries – it was only a short weekly series. Alex Sutherland was the Musical Director for the TV show and the rest of the time we toured around the north east part of Scotland. Sadly it wasn’t the success Albert expected it to be and the show was spilt up. He later used Anita Harris for guest spots at the Two Red Shoes ballroom. https://scotbeat.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/anita-harris/ Meanwhile, myself and Steve Cameron were sent to the Webster hall in Arbroath by Albert to finish our contract in a Chalmers Wood Show called “Holiday time” – one of the acts on that summer season we replaced was a virtually unkown comedian who was struggling with the local scottish audience because of his Liverpool accent. His name was Jimmy Tarbuck ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAV1xTGT54I Great memories of Albert and his wife Betty.. He certainly was a legend in the North East of Scotland. Shortly after i finished the tour he had signed the Beatles and the rest is History as they say.” John MacDonald  http://ozmac52.wix.com/johnmacdonald ‘One critic recently wrote regarding John’s performance: “Ace accordionist John Macdonald demonstrated his ability brilliantly. His skilful playing and infectious good humour were a winning combination.His expertise on the Piano Accordion is simply magical, coupled to his rapport with the patrons”. Another critic wrote: “Accordion player and Musical genius John Macdonald – displayed both technical and musical mastery of his chosen instrument. His ebullient personality endeared him to the audience.” John Macdonald started his Showbiz career in his native Scotland at an early age, firstly playing the drums, piano, then his chosen instrument the piano accordion.In those formative years John toured throughout Scotland as featured accordionist working many Summer Seasons on the Theatre circuit, and also appeared regulary on Grampian Television in Aberdeen.  In 1963 John settled in New Zealand, and quickly established himself as one the country’s leading cabaret,radio, and television performers.In 1970 he recorded his first album “The Dark Island” which was to be the first of many albums to be released . John has returned to New Zealand several times for appearances including a three month national tour.’ http://www.musicforaccordion.com/inform/jmacdonald/ http://ozmac52.wix.com/johnmacdonald https://bonici.wordpress.com/ https://scotbeat.wordpress.com/2014/05/21/aa-bonici-bio-notes-jim-wilkie/  https://scotbeat.wordpress.com/2014/02/14/17/ [photos] https://scotbeat.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/albert-bonici/ https://scotbeat.wordpress.com/2014/04/15/mr-albert-bonici/

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SCOTBEAT and http://bonici.wordpress.com includes photos and documents from the Bonici Archives with permission from the Bonici family [PC Holding Co]. You may contact me at dillsdavid@yahoo.co.uk for consent in using images for media projects. Am currently updating http://djdills.wordpress.com with original new collages. #collageart #beatmusic #popmusic #1960smusic

‹ Eat your BEAT roots [1965]

Bert Weedon – guitarist ›

Tagged with: Aberdeen, Albert Bonici, Alex Sutherland, Anita Harris, Anita Harris singer, Elgin, Grampian television, Jimmy Tarbuck, John MacDonald, John MacDonald Australian, Ronnie Hall, Scotland, Scotland 1963, Steve Cameron, Three's Company, Two Red Shoes
Posted in 1960's pop music