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My name is Johnny Fox. I live in Grimsby Lincolnshire in England Uk. For those who don't know, Lincolnshire is peppered with airfields which were the bases for the many Bomber aircraft both English and American during WWII. Making Lincolnshire effectionately known as "Bomber County" and a few good public houses in the county hold great memories to the aircrew of England and the USA and their role in the war. It was in Lincolnshire that the nucleus of the famous 1000 bomber raids on Germany were assembled.
Today one remaining Lancaster Bomber and still flying, is based at R.A.F Conninsby, just a few miles away. Another Lancaster "Just Jane" is based at R.A.F. East Kirkby which is an air museum these days. "Just Jane" is in full working order but does not have an Air Certificate but we hope one day it will fly again ?
It is a great sight and sound when the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane from the 'Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight' come roaring over our rooftops from time to time during their numerous outings in the area.

I was born and grew up in Manchester in good old Lancashire. I have always been very fond of the music I grew up with. I latched on to music at a very early age with the abundance of musical output from the "wireless" and when we got a tv, a rare and luxury item in 1954, I could tap into even more music which appeared on this magic box in the corner. I recall seeing Johnny Ray, cavorting and sobbing through his hit song "Cry" at that time in 1955 on a variety show and when Rock N Roll got going it got a Saturday slot first on BBC with 6.5 special and then in 1958 on the new ITA service with Jack Good's Oh Boy Show. Throughout those years and into adulthood I have always loved Rock N Roll but not in isolation to another music I dearly love.

As far back as I can recall I have always had a feeling of deep connection with the second world war despite the fact that this traumatic deathly drama had ended before I was born. Suffice to say the aftermath was my childhood playground as I played with friends on the bombed buildings looking for shrapnel from German bombs. Shopping with my mother and grandmother was another reminder too as many items of food and sweets were still on ration and I became very familiar with the ration book and its value. It was not unusual to see soldiers on the streets and sometimes Air Force and Navy personnel, all in uniform, going into the many pubs in my home town.

We had at home a piano which my mother played and also a wind up gramophone. My parents had several 78's of which some were Glenn Miller songs. I played these over and over again and for some reason I became quite tearful whenever I heard them. That music seemed to mean more to me than I could explain and I felt I had heard it years ago but I was only 7 years old and these records were made before I was born ! So without analysing why or how this was, the years passed and my fondness for the music of that era has grown and grown. So my fondness for this music caused me to want to bring this to the people that were clearly into this era. Although WWII was violent and caused millions of people to lose their lives it did have an upbeat side where it spawned some great music, bands and entertainers. Since the celebrations of 1995 when we celebrated V.E. Day plus 50, there has been an ever growing interest in the 1940's. I have operated a mobile record show on and off between playing tenor sax in a jive band and so now I have focused my efforts on the war years and the memories of the music and sounds that people associate with WWII.

THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA

THE BEST DANCE BAND OF ALL TIME

I provide musical entertainment for Swing jive, Lindy Hop, Strollers, Boogie etc etc. I have not lost sight of my love of Rock N Roll and I know that the 50's scene is well served with some excellent D.J's. I find many 1950's jump jive tracks fit perfectly into a wartime show right alongside artists such as Glenn Miller Tommy Dorsey etc etc.. Lets not forget that early Rock N Roll was spawned by the American G.I's who lived in this country in preparation for D.Day in June 1944 and they brought the Jitterbug here which contributed greatly to the music and dance styles of the 50's. Which brings me to say that I am also able to provide an excellent 1950's Rock n Roll record show of which I have an extensive collection of records and 35 years experience playing live music in the swing and jive style. Now Playing: In The Mood