CILLA Black was a well-established star, renowned for such pop hits as Anyone Who Had a Heart, You’re My World, and You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling, by the time she arrived at Glasgow’s Alhambra Theatre in April of 1968.
She was there for two weeks for the venue’s Startime season, supported by the magician David Nixon, the Hallmarks instrumental trio, comedians Earle and Vaughan, and others. Graeme Smith’s book on the theatre notes that other artists who featured in that Starlight season included Nina & Frederick, Max Bygraves, Frankie Vaughan and pianist Winifred Atwell.
Read more: 'Absolutely perfect' for family as Cilla Black tops album charts for first time
The Herald’s critic wrote after the first night: “Cilla Black, undoubtedly blessed with considerable charm and personality, had little difficulty in winning the hearts of the audience ...
“From the moment she appeared on the stage until the final curtain, there was nothing the singer from Liverpool could do wrong as far as the audience was concerned. She proved she has graduated from the realms of pop singer to stage personality in her own right.”
Read more: Cilla Black's son Robert leads TV tributes to the much-loved entertainer
The upbeat style of the Evening Times was reflected in its review, which began: “Cilla Black, the long-legged Liverpool lass, looked like a slightly out-of-season rhododendron when she appeared at the Alhambra ... - but what a triumphant night it was for the likeable, personality-packed singer.
“She bubbles with personality and her candour makes her so engaging that the packed audience is on her side right from the start.
“...In her Liverpool accent, which is as deep and thick as the Mersey, she invites her audience - ‘Come on, looves, sing’.
“They do - and my goodness how they loove her.”
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