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Scott's signature tune was "He's Only
Singing for One", and his songs, of which from more than 100 he composed, 30 were published, included "I've Got a Girlfriend", "You Go On With Your Show" and "What Is the Good of a Good Girl?" He liked light-hearted songs about topical activities and subjects
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On the radio Scott always finished his spot by picking up a Martin ukulele and saying, "And now, just to prove that melody can be played on the ukulele..." he would launch into a stunning solo arrangement of "Lady of Spain", "Keep the Home Fires
Burning" or similar with full orchestral backing.
334:. But the lure of performing proved too much, and in the early 1980s he discreetly put the word about that he wanted to work on stage again. To his surprise he was not forgotten. He played summer seasons, pantomimes, and one-night stands in vintage form.
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such as "A Nice
Prefabricated Home" and "BINGO". In the 1950s, many variety theatres were being converted to Granada bingo halls and Scott mourned their closure in "Pro's Lament", sung to the tune of "Granada",
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In the 1960s, with the death of
Variety, Scott became a theatrical agent and was astute at assessing budding talent in variety showcases. He discovered the schoolteacher
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A popular radio performer (he was one of the biggest variety stars in
Britain in the 1940s and 1950s), his ability received its own tribute on BBC radio when, in a
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in 1952. He became the president of the
Ukulele Society of Great Britain and he was performing in old-time music hall until the mid-1990s. He was a guest of the
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His preferred choice of instrument was the traditional wooden ukulele because of its sweet sound, rather than the more strident banjolele favoured by
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stated: "Thank you, thank you. Tonight I have included in my repertoire
Schubert's violin sonata, guest soloist Billy 'Uke' Scott".
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After the war, Scott was in demand with a busy schedule in variety and pantomime, especially on the
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Scott was married to Ann and had one son, and three daughters. His last years were spent in
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players, composing, singing and writing a "teach-yourself" ukulele manual.
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Billy 'Uke' Scott, Obituary, The
Independent, Wednesday 24 November 2004
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touring circuit, and making his mark on the BBC radio programme
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One of his final appearances was at the
Musical Hall at
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207:(12 March 1923 – 23 November 2004) was a British
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in
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245:(1943) with the organist Robin Richmond and
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211:star, who inspired three generations of
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18:William Scott (disambiguation)
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40:verification
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276:Max Miller
228:Sunderland
209:music hall
180:Instrument
151:1923-03-12
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369:Southport
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347:Blackpool
300:Goon Show
219:Biography
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