Comments on: The Prince of Wales Theatre, Dickie Henderson and the Ross Sisters

By: Ben McDonnell

Ben McDonnell — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 10:49:44 +0000

I have been very interested in the Henderson twins ever since the actor and later BBC DJ Desmond Carrington played a recording of Al Bowlly backed by the twins, with Ken “Snakehips” Johnson. The tune is “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind”

They say they sang in the style of the Andrews sisters but in this recording they are nothing like it. Their combined voices are quite unique and have an appropriate ghostly style. Ken must have been a clever man and managed a pefectly modulatedt but very witty performance from them with just a few words and “Ahhh ha haaa’s”

Recordings of the track are still available from various sources. But be careful, Al and Ken were killed prematurely in WW2 bombings. As Desmond said “Don’t mess with the bard.”

By: nickelinthemachine

nickelinthemachine — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 03:57:36 +0000

Do you know I wondered that about the Henderson in that poster. I think I checked but can’t remember what I found. Which probably doesn’t bode well for any connection.

By: Days of Broken Arrows

Days of Broken Arrows — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 08:12:34 +0000

Nice write-up and I appreciate you including that old Dick Henderson footage, which I’d never have found otherwise.

Wonder if Dick and Dickie were any relation to 19th Century circus performer John Henderson and his wife Agnes, who are mentioned in the Beatles’ “Mr. Kite?” If so, that would sort of close the circle here, considering your opening paragraph.

By: Guy Lawrence

Guy Lawrence — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 21:37:46 +0000

So good to see you back, Rob.

By: Uwe Meusel

Uwe Meusel — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 00:43:12 +0000

Dear Rob Baker,
Thank you for this incredible article! This helps much to understand the background of the Henderson Twins of whom I search for more information. Please contact me.
Kind regards
Uwe Meusel

By: Rob Baker

Rob Baker — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 12:46:59 +0000

Thank you. No I’ll try and post much more in the coming months.

By: LordSnooty

LordSnooty — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 06:18:41 +0000

That should be vignettes, not cameos.

By: LordSnooty

LordSnooty — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 06:08:00 +0000

Seconded; too many months pass anxiously by between these fascinating cameos.

By: dak

dak — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 15:02:53 +0000

Delighted to see you back, I have missed your fascinating tales. I hope we’re not going to have to wait for a book to come out now for every new update here.

Cheers,
dak