Leapy Lee - chart topping singer of the 1960s and 70s

Every week I write and article for the Euro Weekly News, an English-speaking newspaper covering all the major resorts of Spain and the Balearics. You can pick up a copy on a Thursday ... or read it here every week.

Thursday 20 December 2007

Did you hear it? Did you catch that long drawn our sigh off relief that issued from the Lee household a short while ago? That, m'dears was the sound of breath being expelled in the aftermath of the annual Flying Curry Christmas party. Much as I love arranging it by the time its over I am more than ready to enter the asylum with more than a minimum of protestation and resistance. Once again it was - I'm delighted to say - a wonderful success. No little thanks to the likes of our great rock'n roll band, Tony and the Cadillac's, a truly ethnic sound from a talented bunch of lads some of you may remember from the sixties. Our star cabaret Jess Conrad regaled all with his own unique sense of humor and warbled nostalgia, and even yours truly got a warm reception from the attendees. All this coupled with the wonderful ambience and friendly professional staff of the glorious Meson Son Ferrer restaurant meant that once again a great night was enjoyed by all. Thanks a bunch m'doves. Let's do it all again next year- arghhhhh... Told you I was a glutton for punishment didn't!

People do often enquire as to where the idea of the curry circus came from. It actually goes all the way back to the early sixties when a great hoard of out of work actors and music were ensconced in the area of Bayswater and Paddington. With money a bit tight (to say the least) even getting a bit of food under yer belt could often take some doing. The only one of us actually in full time employment was a wonderful character named Eddie. Eddie drove one of the early mini cabs and could always be relied in for the odd lift or few bob to the local starving thespians and muso's. In true generous fashion Ed decided that every Saturday he would invite a whole load of us around to his council flat and cook up a great cauldron of chicken curry. As it was the only decent meal of the week for many of us we took to the idea with much gusto. Up we would show bearing, along with ravenous tummy's, a wide mixture of the instruments of our 'profession'. After being more than a mite satiated and not without the odd 10 bobs worth of 'grass' being produced, we would then sit around harmonizing and playing till the early hours. These were wonderful times indeed and I am still more than grateful to Eddie who now lives in Hull and still keeps in touch. Hi Eddie.

When I first came to Mallorca and the restaurant I had purchased entered its second year of Spanish recession. (A 'Leapy's law' situation we will most definitely not go into at this point!) Out of sheer desperation I realized I had to do something (ya see, I've been there as well!) So I came up with the idea of holding a curry night and encouraging local acts to attend and sing for a freebie. The idea simply took off and every Thursday the restaurant was packed. Unfortunately it was the only night it did do any business so consequently after finding myself 50,000 sterling out of pocket, I had to walk away. Oddly, or perhaps not so oddly a whole host of establishments subsequently took up the idea and began their own curry nights. None of course coming close to Leapys wonderful recipe.........! Never the less, still a somewhat flattering and thoroughly deserved legacy to a truly nice and extremely generous man. A glass of the amber to ya Ed. Long may you prosper.

And that's just about it, once again. Off now to spend some of my 'ill gottens' on 'you know what's'. Gawd, don't get any cheaper do they? Have a great week Keep yer powder dry. Keep them gumsprout grinning and whatever ya do
Always keep the faith.

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