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Prior History
1984 - After spending his teenage years playing trombone
and singing with the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra then working as a professional
trombonist, Andy forms his first big band. This band probably still holds
the record for most letters on a music stand: THE ANDY PRIOR AND JOHNNY SAWYER
ORCHESTRA OF LEIGH, GREATER MANCHESTER !!! The band contained some names well-known
to Prior fans; Ashley Frohlick, Malcolm Melling, Nigel Hailwood and current
saxophonist Dean Masser.
1985 - His band begins a tour of such prestigious venues
as Higher Fold Labour Club (well, you have to start somewhere!) meanwhile
Andy joins the Eric Delaney Band as vocalist at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
1986 - First “big gig” for Andy Prior Big Band;
Blackpool Tower Ballroom Boxing Night Dance. Two of the band missed the soundcheck…one
queued for an hour to get in the lift to the top of the Tower where he thought
the ballroom was(?!) and another couldn’t find the venue at all…yes,
BLACKPOOL TOWER !!
1987 - Andy wins the Don Lusher Trophy for Best Soloist in
the BBC Big Band Competition.
1988 - Band is re-formed as the Night Owls.
1989 - Records first album: “Shot In The Dark”;
Andy wins a heat of Opportunity Knocks singing a Sinatra cover, “River
Stay Away From My Door”.
1990 - First major tour of “The Magic of Sinatra and
the Big Bands”.
1991 - Puts a big band back into the Blackpool Tower Ballroom
after a 25 year absence.
1992 - Records one hour special for Granada TV; records a
new album: “At Last”. Many network television appearances; Andy
featured with BBC Radio Big Band on numerous broadcasts.
1993 - Third season with the Night Owls at the Tower; headlines
at Edinburgh Festival; regular appearances on radio and television. Records
third album: “Alright, Okay, You Win”.
1994 - Nationwide tour to promote album.
1995 - Record-breaking summer season at Blackpool Grand Theatre
with Joe Pasquale.
1996 - Teams up with new management and embarks upon a UK
tour with a fully revamped Magic of Sinatra show. Records fourth album: “Magic
of Sinatra”.
1997 - Tour continues, culminating in a sellout show at the
London Palladium.
1998 - Following Sinatra’s passing, Prior terminates
Magic of Sinatra show and begins tour with his ‘dream band’ featuring
special vocal arrangements by Bryan Pendleton. Four CD box set is released.
1999 - Andy takes a break from his hectic schedule in order
to plan his Big Band Crazy show.
2000 - Andy teams up with the late concert promoter and friend
Bob England to tour extensively with Big Band Crazy.
2001 - Continues sell-out nationwide tour of Big Band Crazy.
The band record a new album: “4:18” - recorded in four hours and
eighteen minutes!
2002 - Andy joins forces with ‘World Famous Nephew’
John Miller and the band embark on yet another nationwide tour; “Big
Band Crazy 2”, also featuring the vocal talents of Donna Canale. Prior
becomes the first British artist to front an American big band when he is
appointed Musical Director of The Billy May Orchestra in Las Vegas. Andy is
also invited to appear as band vocalist with Ray Anthony and His Orchestra,
based in Hollywood.
2003 - Andy continues touring until June, after which he
decides it is time to give the band a rest!
2004 - Andy Prior becomes the first bandleader to front his
own television series in over thirty years. Featuring such high-profile guests
as Peter Kay, Jacqui Dankworth, Clare Teal, Bill Tarmey and Lauren Waterwoth,
“Andy Prior’s Big Band Show” is broadcast in July by I.T.V.
