He was a man who spent his life putting a smile on our faces. We danced to his music and laughed at his stories. His name was Johnny Cleveland.
We had, and still have, some wonderful home-grown entertainers in Norfolk and Suffolk and dear Johnny, who has died at the age of 79, was one of the best.
He worked solidly for more than 60 years doing what he loved most – playing the piano, singing and telling cheeky tales.
A true man of the people.
From performing in a public house to a dozen customers to entertaining at half-time on the pitch at Carrow Road in front of a full house, how he loved the Canaries – and wrote songs for them.
"Johnny was always encouraging young talent," said his close friend Olly Day, who often shared a stage with him.
"It was a joy to spend time in his company."
Johnny also supported and raised money for many different charities over the years.
Born during the Second World War, his parents Evelyn and Herbert lived at Pakefield. His father worked at the Co-op and his mother had played the piano and organ in the cinema during the screening of silent films.
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Described as a “comedy pianist” he started his career in the late 1950s with the Pete Brandish Trio, a popular act on the coast where they played at many of the summer camps, often supporting the stars.
In the 1960s, he joined forces with legendary bandleader Chic Applin, at the old Norwood Rooms in Norwich, one of the leading venues in the city and county.
That was where Johnny met the love of his life Margaret, who worked at the Norwood. They got married and spent the rest of their lives together.
He went on to form the Johnny Cleveland Trio and then went solo.
In the 1970s he appeared on our televisions screens in the show New Faces, watched and loved by millions of viewers – remember Tony Hatch?
His fame spread far and wide and in 1977 he started his travels abroad. Over the years he took his piano comedy act to many different countries – from The Gambia to Florida.
Our forces in Germany loved Johnny and so did the holidaymakers across mainland Spain, Majorca, the Canary Islands, Malta and the former Yugoslavia.
Johnny and Chic were among the founder members of the Anglia Charities Theatrical Society (ACTS) which put on shows and dances to help local charities. The first show featured another New Faces star from Norwich, singer Peter Collins, comedian Alan Mills and the headline act in the second show was pop star Alvin Stardust.
As time moved on Johnny appeared regularly with another much-loved local singer Eve Bridger on the coast and he had his own show at Rosie O’Grady’s in Great Yarmouth for more than six years.
He also worked at Potters for three generations of the family and was part of the entertainment at the bowls championships.
Olly added: "I first met him at Earlham Park, Norwich, in 1976 when I entertained a talent competition with my friend Robbie. Johnny was the compere. We won and we have been the best of friends ever since."
Johnny was a man who always had time for others, a great entertainer – and a gentleman. He will be missed.
He leaves his wife Margaret, son Chris, daughter-in-law Michelle and granddaughter Beth.
A funeral will take place at St Faith Crematorium on Wednesday March 29 at 2.30pm. Donations for the British Heart Foundation can be made via the Ivan Fisher Independent Funeral Home.
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