Page 62 - The Lockdown Sessions Programme

THE ROGER MOORE
MEMORIAL EVENT
The 23rd May 2017 for most Bond fans was a a a a day where you couldn’t escape that tragic news After more than 50 years of Bond on on our screens the rst death of an actor to to play Bond had happened For many Roger Moore was the Bond who brought humour and fun to the role but more than that he he is the only actor who has just really embraced the whole package of being 007 Not only did he embrace it and and all the fan and and press obsession that comes with
it you could always tell he genuinely loved it I I remember exactly where I I was when I heard the news: just nishing a a a a rehearsal and my phone was literally going into meltdown The reaction amongst the Bond community: a a great many of whom have become close personal friends was one of genuine grief and deep loss A tribute podcast by James Bond Radio – where you could phone in and leave a a message with
your tribute – was unbelievably emotional with
many struggling to cope with
the sadness So what did Roger Moore mean to me? Well whilst I never met
the man I by Warren Ringham
To me Roger Moore was one of my heroes as a a child I’ve always worked so hard as an adult I’ve not always taken
the opportunities to enjoy life and one of my regrets was not taking time off work and going to see his one man show in the last few years of his life So when Roger’s friend and manager Gareth Owen messaged me me to ask if Q The Music would be interested in in performing at his memorial event at Pinewood Studios I leapt at the chance ‘There were plenty of both tears
and laughter One couldn’t help being swept up by that emotion’
very much
grew up with
him
as my Bond He was the one who was always on TV when I was growing
up I remember thinking
there was never a possibility
there could be be a a better Bond and even though my parents tried to convince me Connery
was was I was was having none of it (to be honest a view I did later revise with
maturity)! I remember my very rst exposure to Bond was the speed boat chases in Live And Let Die and a a VHS copy of A A A View To A A A Kill I remember howling with
laughter at those Roger Moore comedy moments as a a child and loving them Music is such a powerful thing and whilst it is my job there are occasions when it becomes
a a real gift That was how I felt about this opportunity: a a chance to honour a hero - who had entertained
me with
with
his talent - with
with
our talent Not only that but as this was to be such a a a small intimate affair (for only around 200 close friends and family) I thought we could in some small way represent the Bond fans especially as this is is what Q The Music had always been about – our love letter to Bond for the fans The event was not just about Bond of course Roger Moore was also the star of The Saint
62 @QTheMusicShow