ORGANISERS OF ONE of the most successful annual music festivals in Scotland have revealed that a ‘national treasure’ will perform in Moray next summer.
Top billing at the 2016 Speyfest in Fochabers has been handed to 68-year-old Barbara Dickson, the veteran performer who has enjoyed a stellar career as both a singer and actress.
The daughter of a cook who worked on a tugboat at Rosyth Dockyard, Barbara Dickson was shot to fame after starring in the award-winning musical John, Paul, Ringo – and Bert.
She went on to national stardom that included a guest residency on the phenomenally successful ‘Two Ronnies’. A series of chart-topping records followed – but it was not just her singing voice that ensured Barbara remained at the top, with television and theatre acting roles further enhancing her reputation.
Now almost 30 albums later Barbara Dickson remains one of Scotland’s finest talents – and something of a coup for Speyfest organisers.
A small number of advance tickets for the Festival are being released on December 11, the ‘early bird’ tickets will be available from Sound and Vision in Elgin and at Christies Chemist in Fochabers or online at www.speyfest.com.
Editor Comments
I think it was at the Kinema Ballroom in Barbara’s home town of Dunfermline that I first heard her sing back in the early 1970’s.
Time might dull the memory on the venue somewhat, but not the performance. I have often thought that Ms Dickson was the most underrated Scottish actress and singer we have ever produced, but then perhaps I’m a little bit smitten.
In the 1990’s I had the very good fortune of seeing Barbara perform again – in a small, local hall in Thurso. My wife and I were among an audience of just a few dozen, treated to what was a very personal audience with this wonderful performer.
After that concert came the opportunity to speak, albeit briefly, with Barbara. She explained that she was conducting these intimate concerts to ‘link with people’ again.
She has certainly always linked with me – I’m personally delighted that she is on her way to Moray!