Phil Kelsall
Encyclopedia
Phil Kelsall MBE ALCM is an English theatre organ
ist who has been principal organist at the Blackpool Tower
Ballroom since 1977. Born in Warrington he was inspired to learn the instrument by Reginald Dixon
and was initially appointed as organist for the Tower Circus band aged 18 in 1975;he also deputised for Ernest Broadbent in the Ballroom itself. This followed his attending Rossall School in Fleetwood, an independent day and boarding school where he was taught by Robin Proctor who subsequently became Director of Music at Cheltenham College. After Ernest Broadbent's retirement in 1977, he was appointed Tower organist in 1977.
Noted for his distinctive Dixon-inspired "Blackpool style" of playing, he has made numerous appearances on television and radio playing the Tower's 1935 Wurlitzer
organ, especially on the long-running BBC Radio 2 programme The Organist Entertains
, which he has occasionally guest presented. He has also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing
, Sam on Sunday, Friday Night is Music Night
and Play It Again
. During the Tower's closed season, Kelsall plays the Thursford Collection
's Wurlitzer for their annual Christmas Spectacular shows. He was awarded an MBE in the June 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Theatre organ
A theatre organ is a pipe organ originally designed specifically for imitation of an orchestra. New designs have tended to be around some of the sounds and blends unique to the instrument itself....
ist who has been principal organist at the Blackpool Tower
Blackpool Tower
Blackpool Tower Eye is a tourist attraction in Blackpool, Lancashire in England which was opened to the public on 14 May 1894. . Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it rises to 518 feet & 9 inches . The tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers...
Ballroom since 1977. Born in Warrington he was inspired to learn the instrument by Reginald Dixon
Reginald Dixon
Reginald Dixon MBE, ARCM, was an English theatre organist. He was best known as resident organist at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool, where he played the Wurlitzer organ from 1930 until his retirement in 1970.-Biography:...
and was initially appointed as organist for the Tower Circus band aged 18 in 1975;he also deputised for Ernest Broadbent in the Ballroom itself. This followed his attending Rossall School in Fleetwood, an independent day and boarding school where he was taught by Robin Proctor who subsequently became Director of Music at Cheltenham College. After Ernest Broadbent's retirement in 1977, he was appointed Tower organist in 1977.
Noted for his distinctive Dixon-inspired "Blackpool style" of playing, he has made numerous appearances on television and radio playing the Tower's 1935 Wurlitzer
Wurlitzer
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to simply as Wurlitzer, was an American company that produced stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass instruments, theatre organs, band organs, orchestrions, electronic organs, electric pianos and jukeboxes....
organ, especially on the long-running BBC Radio 2 programme The Organist Entertains
The Organist Entertains
The Organist Entertains is a long-running music programme broadcast on BBC Radio 2 presented by Nigel Ogden. The 30 minute programme focusses on the organ in its many guises, and plays recordings and live broadcasts of theatre organs, pipe organs and Hammond organs around the United Kingdom and the...
, which he has occasionally guest presented. He has also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
, Sam on Sunday, Friday Night is Music Night
Friday Night is Music Night
Friday Night is Music Night is a long running live BBC radio concert programme featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra, broadcast most Fridays on BBC Radio 2 at 8.00pm. It is the world's longest-running live music radio programme....
and Play It Again
Play It Again
Play It Again is a documentary series on BBC One, featuring celebrities trying to learn to play musical instruments. The series is produced Diverse Production and started on 25 March 2007 and is narrated by Tamsin Greig.-1: Jo Brand, playing the organ.:...
. During the Tower's closed season, Kelsall plays the Thursford Collection
Thursford Collection
The Thursford Collection is a charity trust endowed museum, located in Thursford, Norfolk. Founded by local man, the late George Cushing, its is now known for the scale of collection of steam engines, organs and fairground attractions; and its annual Christmas spectacular show, which draws over...
's Wurlitzer for their annual Christmas Spectacular shows. He was awarded an MBE in the June 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours list.