Only the very old will be able to throw any light on this question . Does anyone remember Sparky? He was on the radio, or should I say wireless, when I was a kid. I'm not sure if it was a program or just a song and he spoke with tinny sort of mechanical voice. My mate and myself remember him but we are at a loss to know who,or what,he was.
Sparky And The Talking Train (1947) Sparky's Magic Piano (recorded in Hollywood, October 1947; released 1948 Sparky's Music Mix-up (1949) Sparky's Magic Echo (1952) Sparky's Magic Baton (1954) There was also a song, "Do you believe in Santa Claus?" / "I don't want a lot for Christmas" (1950)
It was a record called Sparky and his magic piano on which a small boy who found it difficult to play talked to his piano and the piano replied in a tinny semi musical voice and when the boy put his fingers to the keys marvelous music flowed. PS, Who are you calling old I'm only 84.
Very old? The cheek of that! <snert> I had piano lessons inflicted on me from age 5 to 9. I reached Grade 3 then my mother fell ill - not as a result of my playing I hasten to add - and I had to stop. I have the sheet music for Sparky's Magic Piano somewhere...
Sparky and the Magic Piano used to be played virtually every week on the Uncle Mac children's show on BBC radio on Saturday mornings in the 1950s. I'd like to say what an innocent, enjoyable experience that programme was. However, with the benefit of 60 years of hindsight, I'm happy to say I haven't changed my opinion - it was rubbish.
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