The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band - "The Floral Dance", "high quality"

The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band was formed in 1881. It is based in Brighouse, in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
In November 1977, the band reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart with their recording of "The Floral Dance", where they stayed for nine weeks, only surpassed at the time by "Mull of Kintyre" (the first UK single to sell more than two million copies, and third best selling UK single of all time). It was arranged for the band by Derek Broadbent. The b-side was a version of "Girl With The Flaxen Hair", although some copies had a composition by Broadbent entitled "Bachelor Girls" as its B-side. The corresponding album, The Floral Dance, reached to Number 10 in the UK Albums Chart - www.brighousean... - Courtesy Wikepedia.

[@Torahboy1]

There was very nearly a riot backstage before the recording when the lads found out that they were expected to mime the performance. The sound department had to hurriedly Mike up for a whole brass band when they refused to mime. Good on them!

[@normanedwards7220]

There is something very special about brass band music ❤

[@johncoles-pw4qx]

Not heard this in yonks, bloody brilliant.

[@rebirthaudio2023]

Despite the song being about the Cornish Floral Dance, this rendition is 100% West Yorkshire

[@catherinerosewell5067]

I never tire of listening to this tune

[@robertburke4724]

Brian Evans belting out that counterpoint melody - the greatest soprano cornet player ever!

[@jessmcgovan2105]

Just sat in a cafe with my partner and the man on the tambourine has made me have a look at this 😂❤

[@imperatorrm]

imagine going to a Top of the Pops recording to see pop and rock bands and one of the acts is a brass band.

[@joshez1]

And from brighouse

[@ldbonq]

I'd be pretty bloody stoked about that to be honest

[@SuperNellymay]

Check out the babes at the back

[@DianeChristopher-co2xd]

MAY DAY BANK HOLIDAY .. don't know why I thought of this tune 😏,. (old sentiment ) Where's the maypole ?

[@robt2778]

Could have been worse, you might have got the choir of St Winifred's singing 'Grandad i love you '

[@sarahjackson1860]

My grandad’s favourite tune. He loved this type of stuff and was always playing it. He passed away in 2000 but I always think of him when i hear this particular tune.

[@mcfcguvnors]

Thats why top of the pops was so cool ,ANY ONE could become a star

[@mrducky7161]

My Grandad was the Secretary of the band at the exact time he played the cornet , and Terry Wogan sent a 2 page letter to him.I never knew my grandad.But I still have his cornet badges and letter.

[@NagasakiTeapot]

I nearly bought a house in Brighouse but it was too much brass...

[@rumeunner3245]

Good one 😅

[@Angie-k7q]

Went to watch them on a practice night with the school brass band

[@juliejoannebevan6617]

Having been born in Huddersfield, I remember wishing and hoping that this would dethrone Wings at Christmas and wipe the smile off Sir Paul's face - but the BRBB had to settle for 9 weeks at No.2 without reaching the top. Proper brass playing by a great bunch of guys who doubtless learned their craft largely in Scouts or, if they were of a certain age, the forces during national service. Today's whole-class brass schemes in primary schools make a mockery of the art.

[@ttqualle]

Awesome😍

[@russellwilliamson8381]

Brilliant real musicians actually plying instruments 😮

[@mrducky7161]

My grandad is one of those

[@2100Rose]

How many of those remain now . One thing worthy of note now is that they ought to be called "The Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Hotties" when you see the women they have got now .

[@BJH4691]

One of what ? A really talented percussionist ? 🙏

[@mrducky7161]

@@BJH4691 he played the cornet and was the Secretary, Terry Wogan sent a 2 page letter to him I still have it

[@lex0005]

I can’t tell you how much I love watching a listening to this. What did he play?

[@lex0005]

Oh, a cornet.

[@craigroberts8907]

Great version.

[@Mike8981]

I’ve just discovered the Dad’s Army version. Hilarious

[@Moosina]

My Grandad adored this. Makes me think of him

[@bolshevikproductions]

Remember seeing these play live at harewood house in summer steam fair 1982

[@buick6817]

Brilliant tune

[@hermanninator]

Loved it at the time - always listening to BFBS. Love it still.

[@Must_not_say_that]

At least they didn't rush it like an express train which is what so many bands do!

[@VictoriaHarrison-qe3qw]

I was 10 when this originally charted & absolutely ADORED it. Odd thing was I grew up to be a Techno raver in the 90's! LOL! Now a techno version of this could be interesting LOL!

[@kennymackenzie2123]

I was 11 and my brother bought me it for Xmas '77. I told him it was what i wanted as i loved it. I had grew up listening to the The Sweet, and Queen, and glam rock, and not long before this i bought my first single, Black Betty by Ram Jam, so i don't really know why i love this tune either. It's on all my playlists and i never seem to get tired of it!

[@MH-nz4mv]

Must watch Brassed Off again...

[@robgweston965]

I keep playing this over and over. Neighbours must hate me! But, tha can’t beat a good old Yorkshire brass band, by Yorkshire people! Tune, arrangement, and the feeling you get at that last chorus! Stunning!

[@pipster1891]

Cornet player, Brian Evans, was from Oldham, Lancashire.

[@timhague882]

Playing a tune from Cornwall…

[@peterarmistead4617]

And arranged by a lad from Thornton-Cleveleys in Lancs. MD Derek Broadbent!!

[@carolinewhitaker967]

@@timhague882 nah, brighouse 1984 John and Simon and Terry Wogan ....

[@timhague882]

@@carolinewhitaker967 I suggest you look up Helston Flora Dance, goes back a lot further than poor old Terry!, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furry_Dance

[@nevilleattkins586]

"none more outrageous," said the man wearing that shirt! This is really pretty!

[@trallfraz]

good dynamics!!!

[@TomthatiscalledTom]

Eating my Ready Brek and waiting for the school bus with this on the radio.

[@chrisr5499]

Brass is always Bad Ass

[@keef71]

remember this in the charts at the time, loved it then and still love it now. can't stand terry wogan's piss take though

[@2100Rose]

Have to admit I like them both myself though this is the one I listen to more

[@paulcooper3410]

He wasn't taking the piss he just really liked this song

[@train4905]

Brilliant

[@2100Rose]

Never a fan of brass band music but have always loved this .

[@nancyanderson5310]

I never forget the day when I first heard her sing. I was in a small shop and the owner was playing this CD. Seeing my joy, he let me buy the CD! It was not a record shop. The CD was not new. But oh! My joy!

[@barbaraannecortina7899]

I remember this hit with fondness...especially when it was played on the Royal Iris that year. A Christmas party for those who lived on the Falkner Estate was held on board the ship and I was one of those kids who was invited. I remember I got an Action Man Jeep (which some kids ripped the fucking bonnet off...bastards!) and I remember getting a belt off my mum after I got home...still don't know why! Nevertheless, 1977 was a Christmas to remember.

[@daveenglish2]

Does the belt still fit you ?

[@TheManic44]

Did they compete all over the world and kick arse?

[@suejelliott]

They still do

[@ImAtLevel53]

Derek Broadbent throwing some reyt shapes wagging away! The audience must have thought WTF we want Paul McCartney & we have got B&R….. still a drop jaw moment in popular music, all thanks to Terry Wogan

[@bertdegroot9427]

Elke dag weer Somertijd..met moppen,limericks en narigheid 😅😅😅

[@davidb4192]

E lad, they don't mek 'em like they used to.

[@frankprice3069]

Thast reet me ode

[@richardcummins5465]

Absolutely brilliant. ❤

[@belkin59]

Total Views by City. 417,442 12,098.6 1:44 London, GB-ENG 4,580 1.1% 136.5 1.1% 1:47 Leeds, GB-ENG 103 0.0% 2.3 0.0% 1:19 Birmingham, GB-ENG 25 0.0% 1.0 0.0% 2:27 Sydney, Australia 24 0.0% 0.8 0.0% 1:56 Chorley, GB-ENG 23 0.0% 2.1 0.0% 5:34 Antwerp, Belgium 18 0.0% 1.2 0.0% 3:57 Bebington, GB-ENG 16 0.0% 0.0 0.0% 0:01 Roodepoort, South Africa 11 0.0% 0.3 0.0% 1:26 Bonn, DE-NW 11 0.0% 0.1 0.0% 0:24 Rotterdam, Netherlands 11 0.0% 0.3 0.0% 1:22 Joure, Netherlands 11 0.0% 0.1 0.0% 0:40 Leeuwarden, Netherlands 11 0.0% 0.3 0.0% 1:48 Dublin, Ireland 11 0.0% 0.4 0.0% 2:13 Helston, GB-ENG 11 0.0% 0.3 0.0% 1:48 Pontypool, GB-WLS 11 0.0% 0.2 0.0% 1:02 Halifax, GB-ENG 11 0.0% 0.3 0.0% 1:54 Melbourne, Australia 11 0.0% 0.3 0.0% 1:41 Zwolle, Netherlands 10 0.0% 0.1 0.0% 0:40 Bristol, GB-ENG 10 0.0% 0.2 0.0% 1:01 Bolsover, GB-ENG 10 0.0% 0.1 0.0% 0:18 Manchester, GB-ENG 10 0.0% 0.5 0.0% 2:55 Bacup, GB-ENG 10 0.0% 0.5 0.0% 2:53 Edinburgh, GB-SCT 10 0.0% 0.3 0.0% 2:01 Adelaide, Australia

[@themanfromvolantis]

Not entirely accurate. Not all the places are cities. Also, I live in an actual city which isn't listed and I have played the video before. I'm currently in a small town and I've just played it again.

[@fordsierrars500cosworth]

Helston isn't a city, it's the town in which Flora Day takes place

[@jamesadm2557]

Love the film Brassed off, when Danny says a load of bloody crap lol

[@cliffcook3993]

In Brassed Off the tune is played by the Grimethope Colliery band as this was the pit used in the film who played all the brass band music for this movie.

[@turnitback]

Contrary to popular belief, B&R did not record this with Terry Wogan. It was the now-defunct Hanwell Band.

[@Fcutdlady]

I think it started when Terry Wogan played this song and sang along with it in his morning radio show back in the day. It may very well have been recorded with the Hanwell brass band but this is the track that started it.

[@turnitback]

@@Fcutdlady Yes, that is my understanding too, and my intention was not to take anything away from Brighouse & Rastrick. Far from it. I simply prefer fact to myth, especially when an MD is introducing his or her own band's performance of the piece. I have heard several of them incorrectly name B&R as having performed on the Terry Wogan version.

[@Mark64W]

@@turnitback Hi . It's a little bit like the Peter Skellern ' You're A Lady ' hit that a lot of people thought was Grimethorpe Colliery playing . That was Hanwell Band as well . It's a shame they are not going anymore .

[@guidovanhaalen4432]

great ♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪great sound! ♫♪♫♪ ☺ ♥ ♫♪☺♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪☺ BRAVISSIMO @bisbis 🎶🎵🎼 great music! a well tuned ensemble that sounds like an organ ! Fabulous banding

[@mozdickson]

Pete Paphides 'Broken Greek' brought me here.

[@catherinerosewell5067]

do they tour anymore? They used to come to Hull every January

[@catherinerosewell5067]

my late partner loved this music and he would play it loudly and celebrate with the band

[@marijenie]

Me and brother danced like crazy to this song when we were kids! Still love it, it's such a funny and sunny tune.. :-)

[@eddiehackett5718]

I remember this band well coming from a brass band family as in the 50"s my father and one of my elder brothers played in that band always remember going to band practice on a Sunday morning with them and I guess been bored shit less but now hearing this some 40 years after it was a hit in the UK more than here in OZ still at times makes me well up thinking back of them times

[@peterdewberry3082]

The waving of flags and pompous is silly and distracting

[@Mike8981]

Ha ha ha! (Waves little flag)

[@Mike8981]

Poo

[@hendrabudiman5060]

#2 UK singles chart, 11 December 1977

[@BrendaHyde]

Can't hear it

[@paulmccuytney]

The only brass band in the world that rocked on through the charts in the late 70's (nr. 2 UK and top 10 in several other European countries). It should not get any crazier!! Nevertheless they deserve a lot of respect.

[@jazzblitz9129]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKu5mZKce9ucZ7c brighouse and Rastric New song for Armistic day 2018

[@TheSproutarian]

Brian Evans = sop, John Gillham = b flat bass, Stephen Lord = eupho (the old greats)

[@Mark64W]

Sadly many players are no longer with us in February 2022 . But I never get tired of watching this .

[@frankprice3069]

@@Mark64W Is Tony Whittaker still with us?

[@Mark64W]

@@frankprice3069 Sadly no . I believe he passed away a few years ago .

[@nickberardo9243]

Memories great band reaching No2 in the charts of November 1977. I was 11 then

[@kevindicks0n996]

I ran around the garden in my vest and pants insteadoff all put together in the floral dance

[@richardbowness1595]

This is awesome!!

[@specialforces101]

Great arrangement and conducting. That guy knew what he was doing.

[@Santandbrighouse]

Take a look at Brighouse and Rastrick Christmas song Santa, they recorded our new song in Feb 2013 just releasing it, this is the instrumental There's a vocal version to follow. If you like it, please pass it on so we can spread the word. will be on iTunes and Amazon shortly. Hope you enjoy it

[@meagera333]

Remember as a kid on holiday following the band at Bude round the town to the floral dance and ending at the grounds of a big house or something, was in the 1980s and I was young. I think it was once a week in the summer for the tourists to the town. Happy memories ☺️

[@lisanesbitt1093]

Hated it when it first came out. Guess I was too young and immature to appreciate it. Really love it now

[@crazygrainger2006]

I really like how Derek Broadbent made this piece his own, but I had way too much bad luck (band-related politics) with this piece.

[@grahamsullivan6518]

So Did my Dad he was in the Lancashire Fusiliers Ken Sullivan ' he also had a big part in this peace of music ' Derek Broadbent was is best friend. Nick name Sulli

[@panDyletant]

0:01 - I want this haircut

[@alhine1963]

I wonder if The Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band had a bust up with The Top Of Pops Orchestra?

[@robertburke4724]

No - they'd have just drank them under the table. That's how we brass band musicians used to sort things out in those days.

[@davey16100]

Only the Brits

[@psimondk]

Compared to the record you can hear that this is played life - awesome REAL musicians playing LIVE in a TV show. Must'v been before the invention of the so-called 'music industry'.

[@erwindebaets6227]

Very good

[@grahamsullivan6518]

My Dad allways told me about this marvellous peace of music ' when he was in the Lancashire Fusiliers Ken Sullivan Nick name Sulli Derek Broadbent was is best friend. My Dad also had a big part this peace with Derek ' he played the French Horn

[@pipster1891]

I've never met a person called Sullivan who wasn't nicknamed Sully.

[@Horichdaslicht1858]

Not a big fan of Brass Bands, but the tune is a great platform for their virtuosity. Many will know this from Terry Wogan, but my favourite renditions are Norman Bailey, a great Wagnerian bass-baritone, and Ken Dodd, who needs no introduction.

[@jonkheere1]

Only denied the Christmas No1 by Mull Of Kintyre,in 1977.

[@mrblue193]

Fantastic.

[@paulgriffiths6060]

Wait till you hear Terry wogan singing the song lol

[@jerrycarroll9243]

Was Terry wogan late for the recording? Still sounds good though 😂

[@Hayden1969-ws4vy]

Yeah, by a year! 😄

[@michaelturner4457]

Terry was there the following month.

[@paulmccuytney]

Every time when I'm in a bad mood I go to Belkin59 on KZbin to play The floral dance. It makes me feel a lot better!

[@laurielovett8849]

Me too I love it, also the Australian bass baritone Peter Dawson sings a great rendition of it. A tune that lifts the heart.

[@Ian-p4r]

Where is Jp Berrie 😢

[@jeanglendinning1860]

its over 50 years since i heard this, brilliant

[@stephenpowell5912]

My Uncle George god bless him Got this tune on Record 40 years ago 😢💕

[@jgjmulders]

I have the original LP record and sometimes i still listen to It. Just wonderful

[@englishrose47]

Coming to Bradford soon!

[@jamesadm2557]

Never played this one, used to play trombone

[@kevindicks0n996]

My girlfriend plays the pink flute and I hum this to my self hahaha

[@Spookychris01]

Ah the old, 'titty wobble dance'.

[@nancyanderson5310]

Oops. I was talking about Nana Mouskorski. Didn’t push button fast enough!

[@davey16100]

Thank god it's not the Terry Wogan version lol. God rest his soul

[@farodealer]

Probably the first time they had musicians who could actually play their instruments and read music understanding what the music meant on Top of the Pops

[@Woollylinnet]

Well, the second time - after the Simon Park Orchestra played 'Eye Level' live four years previously.

[@stuartfinnigan9074]

Absolutely right Katherine this is superb fantastic tune played by true musicians

[@lemonfish4497]

Agreed. And to anyone thinking this is 'uncool', playing a brass instrument is extremely difficult and physically demanding. You can easily cover up your mistakes when thrashing about on a guitar but not so on a cornet!

[@tomdissonance]

probably not tbh

[@ingriddurden3929]

Big hit in Belgium, where I lived at the time. Never saw them we always got the pic on the sleeve of the single

[@kennymackenzie2123]

A strange thing about this song, after watching it on TOTP and getting the single for Xmas, was that it made me want to play the drums, it's not as if the drummer is like John Bonham or anything, but it sparked something in me as an 11 year old.

[@johncoles-pw4qx]

Terry wogan floral dance

[@johndebmax]

Its the dogs bollocks.

[@josephinemitchell9504]

Home meeeee

[@retlaw99malberg]

Fantastic !!

[@donaldduck3128]

from been a kid and going to a whit sunday march in the late 70s and shouting ready steady go then this song started to been 39 year old my love for this song has never wavered my grandad use to make his own words up many of good memory's to this song

[@waterman2611]

Great song for a saturday morning!!!!!!

[@lizjohnevers]

love it

[@MickeyMouse-ul2zs]

This sound is part of the English culture and heritage and hearing it brings a tear to the eye, a lump to the throat and a swelling of the heart and chest. This of course will disappear soon as the new, culture diverse and inclusive state of Britain takes over and old English customs and culture are oblterated and consigned as being rascist and out of date.....

[@batcow1]

What a little **racist** you are even though the spelling of it defeated you! Why bring race and culture into it?

[@Jcbc1406]

@@batcow1 "Why being" do sort yourself out.

[@batcow1]

@@Jcbc1406 yeah a spelling error is more important than racist rhetoric lol

[@Jcbc1406]

@@batcow1 Can't agree more.

[@edwardcoe7293]

Get a grip mate. People haven't stopped joining brass bands because they are racist - the reasons are complex but involve serial governments (mostly right wing 'conservatives') devaluing arts and music teaching in schools by, for example taking away state funded music lessons. Things change, sometimes for the best, sometimes for the worst. There was a time before brass bands and sadly there will be a time after brass bands. Thankfully we have recordings to remember and enjoy such traditions so they are not lost altogether. Nothing to do with any deliberate obliteration. Have you joined a brass band? Do you help to run one? Do you have children in a band? Are you doing your bit to stop the decline or just moaning?

[@leoluthge5097]

Radio 10 Somertijd met Dingetje

[@bertdegroot9427]

Ja gewedig...

[@colinmcmahon5829]

The Brig,then.

[@keyabrown390]

Kids on top of the pops 🤣 How the fuck do we dance to a tuba?

[@andylea2377]

Conductor busted a move better than all of them

[@farodealer]

@@andylea2377 he is also the arranger named Derek Broadbent

[@Jojoseahorse]

Is that Simon Parks conducting?

[@johnd8892]

No. The amateur band leader whose name I should know but can be researched. His vision for it was a big part of the success

[@johnd8892]

I now see it was Derek Broadbent.

[@Jojoseahorse]

Thanks for the info! @@johnd8892

[@pauloaa11]

Yes, this version has some "je ne sais quoi". No more comments are necesary.

[@daveenglish2]

Why not ?

[@interestedErvini]

Sure you'd never see this nowadays

[@trallfraz]

there are still plenty of "concert" bands around, it just takes some exploring as they're not in every city.

[@tenor1190]

Lots of brass bands around if you know where to look!

[@interestedErvini]

@@tenor1190 Oh aye indeed what I meant was you won't see a brass band reach second on the charts.

[@tenor1190]

@@interestedErvini true enough, quite the shame

[@ruthnaismith519]

no it'd be some grunting arsehole

[@farodealer]

have actually played this very arrangement under the arranger Derek Broadbent

[@grahamsullivan6518]

Yes my Dad also played this with Derek ' had a big part in this peace of music. When he was in the Lancashire Fusiliers. Derek was one of his best friends ' Ken Sullivan. Nick name Sulli

[@splatbubble]

Something about this version....and this version only....

[@myrnaritson7002]

Sammi fan Sami tan

[@butenator6668]

POMMERSCHE AUS DEM BUCHENRAUCH, NATURGEWÜRZT UND DAS SCHMECKT MAN AUCH

[@kurtgodel5236]

UND POMMERLAND IST ABGEBRANNT

[@butenator6668]

@@kurtgodel5236 Forever J.B.O.

[@badboyalan]

This is way much more better than Terry wogan who cannot even SING!!!!!!!!

[@trevorfeelgood]

you wouldn't know about the song if it wasn't for him

[@carolinewhitaker967]

How do you know? Maybe he was in amateur operatics and panto at 13

[@badboyalan]

@@carolinewhitaker967 i know more than you will ever know!!!.... Take care....