TV Pop Diaries
Pop Music on British Television 1955 -
Despite the history books having Les Dawson 'discovered' on Opportunity Knocks in May 1967 he had already made appearances on ABC's Comedy Bandbox four years before his talent show wins. His sheer comic invention, the hangdog expression, the mother in law jokes, the bad piano playing and the verbose approach to joke telling made him probably the most noticeable comedian of his generation.
Despite being from the Manchester side of the Pennines it was Yorkshire TV in Leeds
that gave him his first series. The series was directed by David Mallet, now back
from America where he had worked on Jack Good's Shindig for several years. The first
series beginning in spring 1969 welcomed Roy Orbison as the first guest, followed
by Georgie Fame, Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth, The Morgan-
The first two series were wiped but Network DVD have the remaining shows on DVD.
SEZ LES
Yorkshire
30th April 1969 – 30th November 1976