'A genuine, joyous celebration that still brings people together'

Clear Sky Publishing reporter Elizabeth Kings went with her grandmother to see the sell-out show Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn at the Princess Theatre. Here’s what she had to say...

My 85-year-old grandmother, Marina Hackett, is what you might call a lifelong Tony Blackburn loyalist. Whether he’s on radio or television, she’s tuned in — without fail. From his pirate radio days to his current ‘Golden Hour’ slot on BBC Radio 2, Tony has been the Sunday night soundtrack in our house for as long as I can remember.

So when Sounds of the 60s Live came to the Princess Theatre in Torquay, it felt only right that we finally saw him in person. For her, it was a long-overdue moment. For me, I’ll admit, I had my premonitions.

We began our evening at Pier Point, which quickly revealed itself as the unofficial hub for pre-show excitement. A couple from Exeter sat beside us — also on their way to the show — and were intrigued to hear how a twenty-something ended up at a Tony Blackburn gig. I told them it was a Christmas gift for my nan. What I didn’t mention was that my mum made a swift escape on holiday, leaving me to step in. So here I am.

I wasn’t sure what kind of show we were walking into. Would Tony just introduce songs like he does on the radio? Would he be a small part of the night? Oh, how wrong I was.

This was a full-scale celebration, brought to life by a sensational live band, complete with trumpets, keys, drums and even a Torquay-born guitarist. Two outstanding vocalists (one of whom performs at The Ritz in London every Friday) delivered hit after hit from 60s icons like The Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, Dusty Springfield and The Drifters. Even I — an iPhone-loving Gen-Zer — found myself singing along to more than I expected.

And Tony? He was absolutely central to it all. Warm, sharp and brimming with charm, he guided the audience through the soundtrack of a generation, weaving in stories from his decades-spanning career, from Radio Caroline to his Radio 1 and  Top of the Pops glory days. He even showed off his own musical chops, joining in with the band and contributing far more than just chat.

At one point, he was stunned to meet an audience member who owned every album he’d ever released. And yes — there were albums. 

I too was surprised to learn that Tony was almost the next Cliff Richard. In return, he awarded her a golden medal — a small, funny moment that somehow summed up the night: nostalgic, carefree and full of heart.

By the interval, the mood was electric. And when the band closed with a rousing, full-theatre rendition of Hey Jude, the entire place was on its feet, singing, clapping and waving arms in the air.

Sounds of the 60s Live wasn’t just a trip down memory lane, it was a genuine, joyous celebration of music that still brings people together. For my Nan, it was probably the closest thing to seeing Elvis live. For me, it was an unexpectedly brilliant night out.

And yes — Tony’s still got it.