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The rock & roll years
Bill Haley's no 1 hit 'Shake Rattle and Roll' and Elvis Presley's 'Heartbreak hotel' meant that Eddies best-selling days were coming to an end. However Eddie had his mind on more pressing matters and in early 1956 he and Josie moved to their new home at Sunbury on Thames. January was a particularly busy month with Radio Luxembourg Broadcasts, and TV appearances in 'Forces Requests' with Carole Carr, and the Daily Mirrors 'Charladies Ball' from the savoy Hotel.
Eddie was also invited to write for the Sports Express Magazine in a column called 'My Friends in Sport'. One of the stories concerned the time when racing driver Les Leston had fifteen minutes to get Eddie from the TV Centre at Shepherds Bush to the Finsbury Park Empire. Eddie recalled "What a journey, the car went round corners on two wheels.
We touched 80mph om more than one occasion as we sped by Regents Park." The journey was completed in 14 minutes and 37 seconds. The month ended with appearances at the Melody Makers 'Night out with the Stars'(27th) and the New Musical Express 'Great Poll Winners' concert on the 29th, both at the Royal Albert Hall
The Daily Mirror reported on the 4th of February that eddie's latest release 'The Man with the Golden Arm' had been banned by the BBC because of the films theme of drug addiction. The film was a critical success and was nominated for three Academy Awards including one for Elmer Bernsteins music. Eddies disappointment was probably soon forgotten when his next single 'Zambesi' entered the charts in March and reached the no 13 spot. Touring continued with the Daily Express 'Rhythm with the Stars' tour. Appearing with him in Manchester, Leeds, Middlesbrough, and Sheffield were George Melly, Ronnie Scott, Chris Barber, the Hedley ward Trio, and vocalist Gerry Brereton.
Eddie was always keen to help newcomers into the business and Gerry was one of the first artistes to join the newly formed Eddie Calvert Productions Ltd. Moving to new offices at 24 Bryanston Street near the West Ends Marble Arch, the agency division was handled by Jack Green, scriptwriting was left to Bryan Blackburn, whilst Basil Foster looked after publicity.
Their first production was the summer show 'In the Groove' which opened at the Windmill Theatre in Great Yarmouth on June 20th. Alongside Eddie was Gerry, Don Lang, Sylvia Drew, Margo Harris, The Londonairs, The Three Botandos, The Four Graham Brothers and Hans Bela and Mary. Eddies Musical Director was Ken wheeley with his drummer Bobby adrian.
In the June issue of the 'Calvert Cavalcade' fan magazine, members were urged to write to Radio Luxembourg and the BBC to try and get air time for Eddie and Gerrys 'The Bells of St. Marys'. It did little good and the record soon disappeared from view. On July 1st, two and half million viewers tuned in to the Daily Mirrors's 'Disc Festival' from Blackpool to see Eddie, the Beverley Sisters, Eve Boswell, Frankie Vaughan and Dickie valentine. Readers had been asked to write to the paper and tell them which recording star they would like to meet on holiday. One reader, Joe wrote "I would like to take Eddie on holiday with me, to have him with me all the time because he is my son and Iam very proud of him.
October saw the release of the film 'Beyond Mombasa' in which Eddie had a small cameo role, appearing with trumpet in one hand a pint in the other. The film starred Cornell Wilde and Donna Reed, and was about an American who searches for his Brothers killers. Eddies recording of 'Beyond Mombasa' with its B-side 'Jungle Moon' were the last release of the year but both failed to deliver. December 3rd was billed as the Daily Mirrors biggest 'Disc Festival' with a TV audience of four million. It was hosted by Tommy Trinder and featured Alma Gogan, Ruby Murray, and Dickie Valentine.
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