Vocalist Keith (1936-2022) was born at the Birken Show and attended Water Roo Junior School and Padgy Grammar School. After graduating from school in 1951, he worked for Basto and Rider (posters and show cards) at Bradford. Later, he spent three years at Busby (ticket writing and show cards) until 1957, when he served nationally in the Duke of Wellington regiment. He then returned to Busby.
In the winter of 1961-1962, he now married two children and Frances, and found himself in a rock and roll vocal talent, he answered an ad on The Telegraph & Argus and invited the singer to apply for an audition to attend a dingo, advertised as “Rock Rythmn and Blues Group.” The audition took place at the Tudor Ballroom in Dudley Hill, and by chance Keith's former colleague was Irvin (Smudge) Smith, already established as a drummer.
Many hopeful young people applied, and when his turn came, Keith got a job by singing Elvis' surrender and Jean Vincent's rainbow arrangements.
His first appearance was Croft's annual staff dance at Kings Hall and Queen's Hall.
His slow inclusion in such a short notice led to four vocal directions played by Sammy – up-tempo Mona Lisa, you were my mother's eyes, a beautiful baby and another uptempo lonely road and slow rock version. These were the numbers the band was comfortable with, and he knew the words. This worked.
As the weeks went by, Keith was still limited to performing four standard performances. However, after the Saturday night gig played at Kings Hall, Garth Cowd took him to one side and his dream ended as he said, “I have to let him go.”
Keith never considered himself a rock and roll singer in his mind, but at the time he married two small children and needed money. Needs are necessary! Garth revised his audition to sing alongside the Billy Highs dance band in the Majestic Ballroom to compensate. The singing group Clive Carnazzo Trio appeared between the band sets and heard him sing autumn leaves and blue moons (played without rehearsals) and asked if he was interested in participating in the summer season at Bournemouth. However, the current situation at homefront is unacceptable, so he had to reject what could have been a promising offer.
Again, it was thanks to Garth Cowd, who ultimately gave him the greatest benefit of pointing him out on another path. why? Keith continued to perform as Bobby Kimble, one of the top comedy entertainers of the North, until he finally retired in 2001.
Keith was also a well-known and brilliant cartoonist, especially for his beloved gentleman at Fan Gene the City in Bradford City.
Keith lives in the Allerton area of Bradford with his wife, Francis and his family, and always looked back over the months with a dingos with great affection.
* Profile of Derek and musician Reuben Davison Singer, band and musician's 1950s and 60s music scene website: www.whenbradfordrocked.co.uk
