Putting on the Donegan – Nostalgia Central

1 9 5 9 – 1 9 6 4 (UK)
39 x 30 minute episodes

Skiffle king Lonnie Donegan began a weekly ATV series of half-hour variety shows on Friday 26 June 1959

For six weeks, Lonnie introduced two guests a week, including Sheila Buxton, The Dallas Boys, Jack Jackson, Glen Mason, Anne Shelton, comedian Stan Stennett, the Chris Barber Band, Ottilie Patterson, Hughie Green, Jo Shelton, Alma Cogan and Ray Ellington.

Donegan returned in December with three more shows, hosting guests including The Peters Sisters, The Mudlarks, the Clyde Valley Stompers, Lorrae Desmond, and Des O’Connor.

A third series aired between 30 June and 4 August 1960. Guests this time included Don Lang and the Frantic Five, Red Price, Alfred Marks, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Dickie Bishop, Billy Baxter, The Vernons Girls, and Roy Castle.

Residents on all the shows were comedy singers Miki and Griff, and Jack Parnell and his orchestra.

Lonnie then returned annually with six shows a year in 1961, 62, 63 and 64.

Lonnie Donegan died from a heart attack on 4 November 2002, midway through a UK tour. He was 71.

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