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AUDIO: Man behind the Manilow magic
IT'S lottery odds getting a call out of the blue from Barry Manilow if you only know the geezer by his awesome reputation ...
But Andy Rumble hit paydirt when the US singing sensation – who is estimated to have sold 76 million records – not only rang, but asked him to chill out with him at his Los Angeles pad.
Manilow paid for Chinley's newest resident to visit him and discuss becoming musical director of his London West End show Copacabana.
Andy, who is a keyboard player of some repute is now offering piano lessons in the area, using a new method of playing he has devised.
But back to Barry!
Andy says: "On the telephone, he just introduced himself as Barry and, as soon as I realised who I was speaking to, I was completely bowled over.
"It was totally unexpected. I hadn't even gone to audition for the role of MD, but he heard something in my playing and that was that."
At that time, Andy had accompanied a female singer to an audition for Copacabana in London. But someone chased after HIM afterwards to get his telephone number.
Manilow made contact and the rest, as they say, is history.
After the Manilow West End stint, Andy became musical director to Michael Barrymore and the hugely successful television hit My Kind of Music.
Barrymore's career has been under a cloud since a body was found in his home swimming pool.
Andy says: "It is really tragic what has happened to Michael because he is such a genuine guy and extremely talented. He just loves mixing with and performing for ordinary people. He is not into mixing with celebrities at all. I know that he is still working abroad and it is necessary for him to continue performing because that is his lifeblood."
Andy was also MD on TV's Frank Skinner Show and was responsible for licking The Skinnerettes into musical shape.
His latest project, working on Rat Pack in the West End and touring the USA, lasted four years. Now he's ready to take a break from touring.
He said: "Touring the States was ok because they look after you, the hotels are good etc. As far as musicians go, for some shows we had some of the best – even The Simpson's band was aboard. On another occasion there was Frank Sinatra's bass player."
Andy was a child piano prodigy – and the playing must have been in the genes because his grandmother tickled the ivories to silent movies in Sittingbourne, Kent.
He won talent competitions and appeared on TV's Junior Showtime. Now he's looking to make the High Peak his new base because he loves the area.
"After all the touring it will be nice to put down some roots and I've decided to do that in the High Peak. I love Buxton; there's quite a lot of culture going on so I'm sure I will enjoy it."
His immediate plan is to write the tutorial for his brand new method of playing the piano.
He explained: "My method is unique and will allow people to play the piano very quickly and those who have tried it so far think it's great. One guy said that he learnt more in one hour with me than in a dozen lessons with a traditional teacher."
He is not looking for young learners, but adults with the right attitude: "People will be able to play in weeks, rather than months or years," he added.
* For more information on Andy's lessons contact him on 0786 0923372.
* To listen to Andy's material go to www.andyrumble.com
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Weather for Buxton
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
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