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1954: The Golden Years.
On March 2nd Eddie left for America to collect his gold disc and to thank the disc jockeys who had helped him get it. After some sightseeing in New York he flew on to Pittsburgh and then on to Chicago. He appeared several times on the Linn Burton radio show, even loosing his shoes in an improptu auction, and having to return to his hotel in his socks. He finally recieved his disc on the Howard Miller TV show before an estimated audience of 44 million viewers. At the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago he finally got the opportunity to play and perform a duet with Eddie Fisher. He also dedicated his solo version of 'you made me love you' to the trumpet player Harry James. After a gruelling ten days Eddie returned exhausted and had to cancel a weeks engagement in Rotherham.
Having fully recovered, Eddie got the chance to recieve the gold disc in front of a British audience of 7000, on March 21st at the Royal Albert Hall. The occassion was the 'New Musical Express' newspaper's second anniversary concert, with Vic Lewis, Ronnie Scott, Norman Burns, Don Rendall and Tony Kinsey top of the bill. As the paper went on to describe; 'yet another wave of near hysteria swept the assembly when the man with the Golden Trumpet stepped on stage to interpret 'Tenderly,' 'Summertime,' and the inevitable 'Oh Mein Papa' in the style that has endeared him to listeners the world over.'
Records continued with 'Midnight,' 'Donna,' and 'Careless' and theatres across the country were sold out. While Eddie toured, Josie set up home at the fashionable Lancaster Gate in londons West End.
The Blackpool summer show of 1954 at the Queen's Theatre was called "Off the Record" and starred Eddie Calvert and the comedian Nat Jackley. Also on the bill was Jimmy Clitheroe, Marianne Lincoln, Peter Colville, The Ken-Tones, Joan Edwards, Jeffrey Lenner, The Falcons and Ronald Rogers. One of the novelties of the show was the 'Waltzing Waters,' which would sway in ever changing fountains and colourings. The effect was achieved by over a thousand jets weighing more than a ton and costing £12000. According to Eddie's brother Joseph, when in Blackpool Eddie would some times get permission to go to the very top of the tower so that he would not be overheard rehearsing his new musical numbers in case they were stolen. Its possible that his next record was written there.
In September 'My Son My Son' was released which was composed by Eddie and Melville Farley with words by his brother in law Bob Howard. It sold over 100,000 copies but it was Vera Lynn who took it to the Number 1 spot. With the royalties rolling in Eddie probably did not mind to much.
November was a busy month with 'Off the Record' transfering to London's Victoria Palace, and Eddie appearing at the London Palladium before Her Majesty the Queen at the Royal Performance. Other artistes included; Bob Hope, Norman Wisdom, Jack Parnell, Ted Heath, The Crazy Gang, Dickie Valentine, and Noel Coward.
On the 7th Eddie appeared at the Emprees Hall in London as part of the Daily Mirror Disc Festival. Over 100,000 readers had voted for their favourites and Eddie and the pianist Winifred Atwell were far ahead of there instrumentalist rivals.
This incredible year ended by Eddie appearing in the Pantomime 'Robin Hood' with the actress Diana Coupland at Southport.