Alfred Vance
Encyclopedia
Alfred Peek Stevens best known by his stage name
Alfred Vance, was an English singer
in the 19th Century music halls.
in 1839. He worked initially as a solicitor's clerk, before appearing in Music Halls.
duo act with his brother in 1860. His act, initially as a cockney
singer, evolved into comedy. He was also known as both "The Great Vance" and Alfred Grenville.
Vance was a great rival of George Leybourne
, writer of Champagne Charlie
. Vance wrote and performed Cliquot
in response. Vance ended the feud with the song Beautiful Beer. Their style introduced a new genre to the music hall, known as Lion Comique.
Vance's popular song "Walking in the Zoo" has been cited by Desmond Morris
(in Gestures: Their Origin and Distribution) as the earliest known use of the term "O.K." in its current sense. It is also one of the first uses of the term 'zoo' in place of the full name of 'zoological garden'. (It was previously used in America as a political slogan for Martin Van Buren
, nicknamed Old Kinderhook or O.K.) The chorus of Vance's song begins with the line "Walking in the zoo is the O.K. thing to do." The song refers specifically to the Zoological Gardens at Regents Park, London. Another song of the 1860s was The King of Trumps. The cover depicts a playing card for the King of Trumps in colour with parts of other cards in each corner, around a picture of Alfred Vance in a top hat.
Vance died while performing on the stage of the Sun Music Hall, Knightsbridge
, on 26 December 1888. He is buried in Nunhead Cemetery
.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Alfred Vance, was an English singer
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in the 19th Century music halls.
Early life and family
Vance was born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1839. He worked initially as a solicitor's clerk, before appearing in Music Halls.
Career
His first solo appearance was at the South London Palace in 1864, but he had earlier performed in a blackfaceBlackface
Blackface is a form of theatrical makeup used in minstrel shows, and later vaudeville, in which performers create a stereotyped caricature of a black person. The practice gained popularity during the 19th century and contributed to the proliferation of stereotypes such as the "happy-go-lucky darky...
duo act with his brother in 1860. His act, initially as a cockney
Cockney
The term Cockney has both geographical and linguistic associations. Geographically and culturally, it often refers to working class Londoners, particularly those in the East End...
singer, evolved into comedy. He was also known as both "The Great Vance" and Alfred Grenville.
Vance was a great rival of George Leybourne
George Leybourne
Joe Sanders , better known as George Leybourne, was an English music hall performer. Often nicknamed "Champagne Charlie", Leybourne is best-remembered as the lyricist for The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze....
, writer of Champagne Charlie
Champagne Charlie (song)
Champagne Charlie is a music hall song from the 19th century composed by Alfred Lee with lyrics by George Leybourne. It was popularised by performer George Leybourne. The song was first performed at the Sun Music Hall, Knightsbridge in 1867...
. Vance wrote and performed Cliquot
Veuve Clicquot
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin is both a champagne house in Reims, France, and a brand of premium champagne. Founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot-Muiron, Veuve Clicquot played an important role in establishing champagne as a favored drink of haute bourgeoisie and nobility throughout Europe...
in response. Vance ended the feud with the song Beautiful Beer. Their style introduced a new genre to the music hall, known as Lion Comique.
Vance's popular song "Walking in the Zoo" has been cited by Desmond Morris
Desmond Morris
Desmond John Morris, born 24 January 1928 in Purton, north Wiltshire, is a British zoologist and ethologist, as well as a popular anthropologist. He is also known as a painter, television presenter and popular author.-Life:...
(in Gestures: Their Origin and Distribution) as the earliest known use of the term "O.K." in its current sense. It is also one of the first uses of the term 'zoo' in place of the full name of 'zoological garden'. (It was previously used in America as a political slogan for Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States . Before his presidency, he was the eighth Vice President and the tenth Secretary of State, under Andrew Jackson ....
, nicknamed Old Kinderhook or O.K.) The chorus of Vance's song begins with the line "Walking in the zoo is the O.K. thing to do." The song refers specifically to the Zoological Gardens at Regents Park, London. Another song of the 1860s was The King of Trumps. The cover depicts a playing card for the King of Trumps in colour with parts of other cards in each corner, around a picture of Alfred Vance in a top hat.
Vance died while performing on the stage of the Sun Music Hall, Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is a road which gives its name to an exclusive district lying to the west of central London. The road runs along the south side of Hyde Park, west from Hyde Park Corner, spanning the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
, on 26 December 1888. He is buried in Nunhead Cemetery
Nunhead Cemetery
Nunhead Cemetery is one of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries in London, England. It is perhaps the least famous and celebrated of them.. The cemetery is located in the Nunhead area of southern London and was originally known as All Saints' Cemetery. Nunhead Cemetery was consecrated in 1840 and...
.
Songs
- "The Chickaleery Cove"
- "Jolly Dogs"
- "Walking in the Zoo"
- "Cliquot, Cliquot"
- "Act in the Square, Boys"
- "The Young Man of the Day"
Trivia
- Alfred Vance makes a cameoCameo appearanceA cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
appearance in the novel Lestrade and the Brother of Death by M. J. Trow - He was played by Stanley HollowayStanley HollowayStanley Augustus Holloway, OBE was an English stage and film actor, comedian, singer, poet and monologist. He was famous for his comic and character roles on stage and screen, especially that of Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady...
in the 1944 Ealing Comedy, Champagne Charlie (film)Champagne Charlie (film)Champagne Charlie is a 1944 British musical film made by Ealing Studios. It is based on an 1860s play that depicted the real life rivalry between George Leybourne, who first performed the song of that name, and Alfred Vance....
opposite Tommy TrinderTommy TrinderThomas Edward Trinder CBE known as Tommy Trinder, was an English stage, screen and radio comedian of the pre and post war years whose catchphrase was 'You lucky people'.-Life:...
who played George LeybourneGeorge LeybourneJoe Sanders , better known as George Leybourne, was an English music hall performer. Often nicknamed "Champagne Charlie", Leybourne is best-remembered as the lyricist for The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze....
.