Steve

Please help me with my failing memory. Some friends and I met a real nice group in a country pub in Mountnessing many years ago and we played a few games of darts. They had a big hit with 'Last train to Sanfanando' at the time (I don't know if I've got the right spelling there) but I can't remember the boys' names. Any chance? A few nights ago we were all talking about the time and none of us could remember the name of the group or the guys we threw arrows with. Any chance?

Danny

DANNY


1957-Columbia Label. Last TRain To San Fernando.

Johnny Duncan & the Blue Grass Boys-one of the few skiffle biggies not down to Lonnie Donegan, the others being Nancy Whiskry & Chas McDevitt's Freight Train and the Vipers(including Pussy Cat Willum's pal Wally Whyton) Don't You Rock Me Daddio.

Johnny Duncan was a US conscript stationed in the UK, who stayed on after his National Service & founded the group. They had another small hit, which was the next year-All of the Monkeys Ain't in the Zoo.

My Uncle Ron, who emigrated to South Africa that year was a dab hand with the washboard, you see!!


Steve M

Cheers, Paul! I'll be having a beer on that later tonight!

DANNY

I forgot to add that the pronunctiation on the song, especially chorus, was not appreciated by Miss Dutton at Infants school:

Last train to San Fernando;

Last trayeeen to San Fernando!

If yew miss-a this one, yew'll neva git another one!


Unfortunately, 8 years later, I was proved right when the Everley Brothers gave us:

The Wine is sweet n' gin is bitta

Drink all ya can, but you won't forgit ha

on The Price of Love.

Johnny, plus Don & Phil were all from Kentucky. Maybe Miss Dutton thought Sarf London was not an appropriate place to mimic the Southern states, or didn't realise Git has a different meaning in the Bluegrass state!


Steve M

all of a sudden I feel ancient

You's aint felt nothing yet, Mimi!