Are you ready for another walk, or if you are like me, at least a limp down Memory Lane once again? I recently attended a wonderful musical show at the St Albans Arena called That'll Be The Day, which has been around for about 34 years and still sells out. The very talented performers recreate magical music from the 1950s until the 1980s spliced with some very funny comedy skits, all aimed at a certain generation. Indeed if you banned anybody older than 60 years old from attending it would not happen. However, we charge of the stick brigade are not finished yet and know how to enjoy ourselves.

Personally I grew up on the music of the 1950s and 1960s and I think that was the best era ever. I think the test of time proves that. You can imagine I am no great fan of punk rock or today of wrapping, garage or shed music. I remember Cliff Richard telling me you can get a number one in the charts selling in one week what his records used to need to sell each day.

Over the decades I have enjoyed meeting many music stars of yesteryear. Do you remember Heinz, who was not sponsored by a baked beans company? Jack Jones and Billy Fury when they were appearing at our old theatre in Borehamwood? Matt Monro, Petula Clark, Peter Noone and so many others, including my old mate Jess Conrad, who always insists I mention him.

Growing up listening to the radio with such shows as Family Favourites and watching Juke Box Jury on television I never thought I would meet any such people. I picked those two titles to appeal to my older readers. In those days we were hip to the beat, groovy man and could twist again with ease. In 50 years' time will people go to concerts featuring rap artistes and grunge music? Who knows as my parents, brought up on the big band sound of the 1930s, thought The Beatles were just a fad.

I cannot let you go without commenting on the death of Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, who made it to 103. He was certainly a survivor, and made his way from awful poverty as a child to becoming a millionaire. I spoke to him once when he was filming a scene for a long forgotten film several decades ago at the Edgwarebury Hotel in Barnet Lane, Elstree, now called The Laura Ashley Hotel. I now remember little of our chat between takes other than he mentioned a film he shot at Elstree Studios in 1959 called The Devil's Disciple with Burt Lancaster. The guest star was Laurence Olivier to appeal to the UK market and to give it status. Kirk recalled: "On occasions Olivier would call Burt or myself by each of our surnames as if to say you are movie stars, not actors."

Kirk could be - shall we say - determined, which alienated people and may explain why he never won an Oscar, regardless of such a great number of good performances. They eventually gave him an honorary Oscar, as is the way of the system.

Finally, all this fuss about Philip Scofield announcing he is gay. Really, this is the 21st Century and who should care? Life is short and providing something is not criminal what does it have to do with any of us? Know doubt we can await books about Kirk's private life and tabloid articles about Philip but why? Until next time, take care and thank you for being a reader.

  • Paul Welsh MBE is a Borehamwood writer and historian of Elstree Studios