Stan Clarke

Stan was born at Dunham Hill on the 24th October,1926, where his father was the local bobby, and he moved to Runcorn when he was 3.yrs old.

Stan started to learn music at the age of five, and by the time he was fourteen the war was on and he was playing with three local bands on piano.

When Stan’s call up came, he was put in the Royal Artillery as a vehicle mechanic which was his job in civvy street, but it wasn’t long before he joined the 5th Ack Ack group band on piano and trombone.

Stan stayed with his regiment band until demob came, and when he came home he formed his own band playing in and around Runcorn, Mid Cheshire, North Wales and Lancashire.

In 1957 he was offered the residency at the new La Scala Ballroom in Runcorn which he accepted and had five very happy years there with a twelve piece band, and where he met his future wife Lynne.

Following this, Stan and his band joined the Mecca circuit, playing regularly at the Sale Locarno and the Ritz Ballroom, Manchester.
This continued until 1966 when he disbanded and joined the Club Scene.

It was during this period that he had the good fortune to play for Ken Dodd at the Navy Club in Widnes, and that formed a long association both as accompanist and friend, and later as Musical Director to Ken.

In the early days as Ken’s accompanist, Stan was introduced to Combined Services Entertainment, [ C.S.E ] which is the modern day ENSA, under the direction of Derek Agutter, who is film star Jenny Agutter’s father, and with whom Stan became great friends. Anywhere in the world where our troops were stationed, Stan and the party went to entertain them.

Stan also accompanied many other artists whilst entertaining the troops.

As Ken Dodd’s accompanist and musical director Stan has worked practically every theatre in the country doing Summer Seasons, pantomimes and One Night Stands, also Television and Broadcasts, working with some of the top musicians in the country. The highlights being on three Royal Command Performances with Ken Dodd at the London Palladium, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and the Liverpool Empire in front of Prince Charles.

In 1989 Stan returned to the Halton Royal British Legion as the organist, and came home to settle down after all the travelling.

Unfortunately, in December,1999, on Doctors’ orders, and due to ill health, Stan had no option but to retire.

Stan loved reading and crosswords, and of course playing his piano at home. He also loved to sit in the garden in his wheelchair, and he kept his wonderful sense of humour to the end.

Stan became a member of this church a few years ago, and although he couldn’t sing, he loved listening to others singing and thoroughly enjoyed the Sunday services.

He will be greatly missed by not only his family, but by everyone who knew him.