The Stage

George Formby tribute artist Alan Randall dies

Published Monday 11 April 2005 at 14:10

Variety artist Alan Randall, known to millions for his George Formby impressions, has died after a long illness, aged 71.

Renowned for his musical expertise, he was a formidable solo instrumentalist, playing the vibraphone, ukulele and piano but it was his recreation of George Formby’s music and singing for which he became world famous.

He first performed a George Formby song on stage at the Windmill Theatre in London in the fifties and went on to appear in countless summer seasons, cabaret shows and TV programmes all over the world. He appeared in seven productions for the royal family, including two Royal Variety Shows and devised and wrote the musical Turned Out Nice Again: The George Formby Story.

In Las Vegas he appeared with Perry Como and Liza Minelli and also played in concerts with Cliff Richard and The Rolling Stones. Randall also featured in the closing scene of the historic Beatles reunion video for their last hit single Free As a Bird.

He had been suffering from motor neurone disease and died at his home in Nuneaton on April 10. A full obituary will appear in a future issue of The Stage.