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1960's
Eddie spent the first five months of the new year overseas. His marriage was already crumbling, though listening to his interview with Roy Plumley on the 500th edition of 'Desert Island Discs' you might have thought otherwise. The Calverts were briefly reconciled but within a couple of months their house at Sunbury was on the market. Josie went on a world cruise and met an Italian, and to add to his woes the taxman was demanding large payments.
In July Eddie joined Tommy Steele and alma Cogan at the Blackpool Opera house. Playing alongside him were the 'Wise Guys'- Red Mitchell (piano), Johhny Bell (bass), Joe Moretti (guitar) and Eddie's regular drummer Bobby Adrian. Bobby had been with Eddie for about seven years and when on tour generally took charge as he spoke a number of languages. Recordings continued with the likes of 'Jealous', 'Wonderland by Night' and 'gabbie' named after his dog
In January 1961 Eddie's trumpet could be heard once again on Radio Luxemburg. Ted Scott an engineer on the show remembered Eddie sometimes turning up late, but even with a cold lip he could launch into his theme 'Apple Blossom White' note perfect. Travelling took him to Australia and India were his recording of 'Wonderland By Night' proved to be a hit. Back in the studio he teamed up with Martin Slavin', his piano player from his 'Selby' days, and together they produced 'Latin Carnival'.
On May 19th 'Let yourself go' starring Harry Secombe opened at the London Palladium. Roy Castle, The King Brothers and Marion ryan were also on the bill but it was a thirty three year old dancer called Celia Hart who caught Eddie's eye.
In November Eddie was granted a divorce, and even though both parties admitted adultery, the judge commented that Josie's behaviour was "distressing and disgusting". Eddie was given custody of their son Gilbert and Josie had little further contact with him.
On March 1st 1962 Eddie and Celia were married at Manchester's registry office. Amongst the guests were Bruce Forysth and Tommy Steele. The summer season was again spent at the Blackpool Opera House in 'The Big Show of 1962' starring Ken Dodd, the Kaye Sisters and Barbara Law. Eddie was backed by a new line up called the 'C-Men'.
During the summer Eddiestarted to visit Westair flying school for lessons. He had always loved fast cars and had recently been fined £5 for speeding in Birmingham, but flying had become his latest passion Celia was not so keen but said she trusted his judgment, and in October Eddie got his license.
The same month he appeared on the 'Black and White Minstrel' Show with George Chisholm and Stan Stennent, and the following month he appeared with Rudolph Nureyev and the Tiller Girls on 'Sunday Night at the Palladium'.
In early 1963 Eddie released 'As long as I have you' with the B-side 'Celia'. It is difficult to know whether their marriage was already in difficulties but on April 16th Mrs. Calvert was rushed to hospital suffering from a drugs overdose. She had telephoned her doctor before collapsing at their Kensington flat. Eddie was in Coventry at the time and was reported as saying " My wife has had a nervous breakdown and she is not getting over it. When ever she gets upset she takes tablets and phones the doctor". He put the cause of it down to her fear of flying and her insistence on accompaning him on a recent tour to Australia. He went on to say " I am terrified that one of these days the doctor is not going to arrive in time".
The summer was spent in the 'Ken Dodd Show' in Great Yarmouth at the newly named ABC theatre, formerly known as the Regal. Rosemary Squires, the Three Houcs and the Barry Sisters were also on the bill. The last release of this year was the aptly named the 'Crying Trumpet'.
In March 1964 Eddie was filmed with the Italian trumpeter Nino Rosso in Rome. They took it in turns to play down a telephone line to see if the person at the other end could tell them apart. Nino went on to have a big hit in Italy the following year with 'Il Silencio', a tune Eddie went on to cover but not with the same success.
In April he appeared on the Morcombe and Wise show and when he arrived in Blackpool for preparations for the 'Dick Emery' show two months later, he was two and half stone lighter and a non-smoker. Talking to a local reporter he revealed that the he would have to reapply for his pilots license as he had been out of the country so much.
Things had also been difficult as his father had been very ill. In another article he summed himself up as a perfectionist, a worrier and volatile. "I lose my temper over silly little things... I also talk to much and I am impetuous. I leap before I look". He also revealed that if he had not been a musician he would have liked to have been a politician.
In November after a three week tour of Germany Eddie and his band opened at Paul Raymonds club 'Celebrite'in Bond street and on he 29th they appeared with Norman Vaughan and Val Doonican on ITV's 'Sunday Night at the Palladium'.