Phil Kelsall at the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ of the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool - Volume Two.

[@OrganMusicYT]

This VHS from 1985 has been uploaded with the kind permission of Phil Kelsall. So sit back, relax and enjoy a little trip down memory lane with the World's only platinum-selling theatre organist. 01:34 - I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside 02:13 - Chinatown, My Chinatown. 06:50 - Blackpool Opera House - Thank You For the Music 07:55 - Blackpool Opera House - Medley of Foxtrots - Once in a While / Sundown / The Touch of Your Lips. 12:10 - We'll Gather Lilacs in Spring 15:46 - Sabre Dance. 18:01 - Toot Toot Tootsie / Lullaby of Broadway / The Charleston 21:02 - The Holy City 23:47 - The Old Pianna Rag Phil Kelsall has been playing at Blackpool Tower since 1975, specifically in the Ballroom since 1977. Throughout his career, he has achieved remarkable milestones in the theatre organ scene. Notably, he was the first theatre organist to release a concert on VHS and has since produced an impressive discography of over 70 albums, approximately 20 VHS tapes, and several DVDs. In recognition of his invaluable contributions to the music industry, he was honoured with the prestigious Gold Badge Award by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors in 1993. It is worth mentioning that this award has also been bestowed upon esteemed individuals such as Dame Shirley Bassey, Bonnie Tyler, and Jools Holland. Furthermore, Phil Kelsall holds the distinction of being the sole theatre organist in to have received a platinum award for recording sales. To this day, he remains the only theatre organist to have secured a place in an album chart. In July 2001, he was positioned at No.4 on the classical albums charts, surpassing renowned artists such as John Williams and Andrea Bocelli. His album, “The Organist Entertains” remained in the top 20 for an impressive 12 weeks and in the top 100 for 14 weeks. In recognition of his contributions, Phil Kelsall was honoured with an MBE in the Queens Honours list in 2010. His music has also appeared on various television shows, including "Strictly Come Dancing," "Songs of Praise," and "Coronation Street". Additionally, he has been featured in television adverts and radio shows such as "The Organist Entertains", "Friday Night is Music Night", and the long-standing BBC radio series "The Archers". Beside all his achievements at the Tower Ballroom, its worth noting that Phil Kelsall has also been an integral part of the famous Thursford Collections annual Christmas Show for over four decades.

[@hiltonleistra3698]

Truly the best organist that I have ever heard. Well done and keep up the brilliant playing

[@Foxybiker72]

I have met Phil a few times years ago and he really is a nice guy very genuine. He is still the very best in the world and a pure master of the Mighty Wurlitzer. I have always looked up to him and always will.

[@holly123140]

Amazing talent

[@senianns9522]

Wow! That man is literally 'part of the machine'! Brilliant!

[@FraserGartshore]

Yay! Playing catchup on my KZbin favourites and here it is - one of the best made theatre organ films out there. Great to see it again. Thanks for this and all you do for the theatre organ world👍

[@rosemarysilvester1048]

Met him in tywyn

[@DavidArdittiComposer]

I like it when he says he’s going to play a ‘serious pice of music’ - and we get The Holy City 😅

[@OrganMusicYT]

You have to remember that these VHS tapes were aimed at the average person on the street and not the organ scene. To a regular joe bloggs, "The Holy City" will sound like a more serious piece of music. It wouldn't be something like Widor etc as it wouldn't really fit in.

[@danielmurphy4415]

When was this particular VHS tape recorded? Wonderful playing! Thanks!

[@OrganMusicYT]

Volume two was released in 1985, so it's 39 years old now!

[@praestant8]

The audio quality is horrific.

[@OrganMusicYT]

@@praestant8 thank you for telling me something I already know. Now, you go and spend your time, money and effort in trying to preserve a 40 year old VHS tape and get better audio quality.

[@jobstludwig6197]

Furchtbarer Sound 😢😢

[@OrganMusicYT]

Thats VHS for you, the sound quality was never all that great. I did spend a some time doing my best to improve it, but you can only do so much with a 35 year old VHS tape.