Do you remember the Modernaires Dance Band?

scuda · 04-08-2008, 19:49

I'm trying to find out anything I can about this band - I think they played in Sheffield (City Hall ballroom and elsewhere, perhaps) in the 30s & 40s. Can you remember them? Any names? When did they finish? Please, please, post if you have any info at all, or can suggest where I might find out about them.

Thanks, scuda

hutch · 04-08-2008, 21:57

Hi there is a photo of the band on Picture Sheffieldhttp://www.picturesheffield.co.uk/

scuda · 06-08-2008, 19:16

Thanks for the photo link, hutch - a good photo of the band, and lots of other interesting photos on the same site.

I'm still hoping someone has some info to add!

scuda

pdewsnap · 10-08-2008, 04:09

I believe the Modernaires were formed from th RAF Skyrockets band after the war.
Peter D South Carolina

Buccaneer · 31-01-2009, 22:13

My Dad used to play Tenor Sax with the Modernaires after the war.

pdewsnap · 01-02-2009, 00:02

As I said before, I do rmember them and seem to think they originated from the RAF Skyrockets band but I can't offer any more.

Bandsman · 01-02-2009, 19:18

Originally formed in the Worksop Area where they played at the Palais for a while.They were regular Melody Maker contestants ie.Winners
1945- Nottinghamshire
1946- Central Yorkshire
1947- Peak District
1947- Mid-Britain (Eastern Region)
Dance Band Championships Finalists at 1947 All Britain Final.
Were residents for quite a time at the Rawmarsh Baths Ballroom.
Also contestants for the renewal of the City Hall Ballroom Dances.

pdewsnap · 02-02-2009, 03:53

Hello Bandsman and thanks for your posting. But, as I said before, I think they came from the RAF Skyrockets. If I am wrong, I would appreciate your setting me right.
Peter D

Bandsman · 02-02-2009, 09:10

The Band was in no way associated with the RAF Skyrockets

scuda · 19-05-2009, 10:29

Hi Buccaneer and Bandsman,

I haven't been on the forum for a while and I've only just seen your
replies. Maybe you can help me with some more information. Do you know
when the band was founded? The person I think may have been in the band
(as pianist and/or director) died in 1941, and was not a Sheffield man,
but lived there from the mid-1930s.” If the band did exist in the 1930s
I would love to see some photos if anyone has any. Thanks for your help.

scuda

ralfmouf · 22-09-2012, 22:18

Hi there,
Yes my father Lloyd Ridgway was the trumpeter & a artist also my uncle played with them, I have memorabelia associated with the band photos of full lineup names etc & the dance band of the year original pamphlet hand writen on. Ayone who needs any info I did a website of my fathers paintings & a little writeup on the site visit the site that this forum will not yet allow meto (as 5 posts are required for that privalidge ) or contact me.
Alan Ridgway

scuda · 23-09-2012, 07:26

Hello Alan, Thanks for replying. What I'm really looking for is the name of the director/leader. If it's the person I'm hoping for he was also the pianist, and the date would have been up to 1941. Can you help?

scuda

ralfmouf · 23-09-2012, 14:30

Hi Scuda,
The band were formed in March 1945 & as Bandsman quotes they won many Melody Maker awards the leader of was Clarence Shimwell.
ALF

scuda · 23-09-2012, 14:49

Oh dear, definitely not my man, then. I think I must definitely discount the Modernaires (they were just a hunch based on a few very slight clues), so I'm now looking for another band or orchestra which existed in Sheffield in 1941. I've tried asking around via the name of the person I'm looking for but I've drawn a blank. Not to worry, thanks anyway,

scuda

IRITALIA · 24-01-2013, 22:56

Deleted. Wrong message.

fleetwood · 25-01-2013, 06:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuda

Oh dear, definitely not my man, then. I think I must definitely discount the Modernaires (they were just a hunch based on a few very slight clues), so I'm now looking for another band or orchestra which existed in Sheffield in 1941. I've tried asking around via the name of the person I'm looking for but I've drawn a blank. Not to worry, thanks anyway,

scuda

I hate to state the obvious but Bernard Taylors Broadcasting Band (don't ever remember them doing any broadcasting though) were playing in the ballroom in the 40's and 50's, I don't recall any other large band playing before them. All the other well known bands of the day played in the upstairs auditorium for concerts on different occasions.

flyer · 26-01-2013, 10:24

there music was on public T.V few months back,pretty sure you can also get them on Y-tube

---------- Post added 26-01-2013 at 11:31 ----------

opps my first mistake ths year The Modernairs was a very well known American band that played with Glen Miller 1941 ish tons of info on Google

locket · 28-01-2013, 22:31

my husband grandfather was in the temperance dance band