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[14 SEP 04]
JACK OWENS AND THE STAR ORCHESTRA
My name is Clive Owens and I was born in Newey Road Coventry in 1950. My
family migrated to Australia in 1955.
I am looking for information on my father's musical life in Coventry. He
was known as Jack Owens and his band was the Star Orchestra. His regular
gigs were the Hippodrome and also Greens Ballroom.
He did own a music shop pre 1950 but it was burnt down. The date of this
event I cannot provide. Among his friends musically were Ted Heath and
also Glen Miller. During the war years he made regular broadcasts from
India on the BBC to entertain the troops.
Dad had a friend in Coventry named Harold Stanley, who was also his
agent . He lived across the road from us on Norman Place Road just down
from the Wallace Hotel.
It is a shame that these memories are not in our family to share with my
sons. It would be nice for them to know of their Grandad's
accomplishments.
As far as I am able to understand there were many paper articles written
over the years circa 1930 to 1950 and they would be precious to have.
Apparently recordings were made too, as a relative in the UK whilst
gardening became aware that they were listening to Dad's music on the
radio.
Unfortunately elders have left us and taken their knowledge with them,
thus, the need to look for other sources. I am looking for suggestions
as to where to begin to look for information.
I was a pupil at Keresley Newlands High School in Coventry from 1965 to
1970 and during that time was taught by a Mrs Huxtable who took me for
english and history. She made a great impression on me and I would love
to know where and how she is these days. I would be absolutely delighted
to hear from her!
I spent many happy days at Tile HIll Wood School, until I left in 1966.
On the leaving day of our year quite a few photographs were taken,
mainly outside Stanley Block - I think? Others were taken inside in one
of the classrooms and I still have them all.
I was in Mrs Lisicka's ? [never could remember how to spell her name]
House. She was an inspiration to me for future life. Firm but fair, and
definitely a friend.
Mr Arnott was our maths teacher, definitely a wee bit eccentric. Miss
Trew, our music teacher was a lovely lady. Years later, I met her again
with Miss Bufton [geography, and they were then a couple] when they
needed new glasses, as I ended up working in Ophthalmics.
Miss Bailey was the gym mistress - she would be classed as the bully she
was, in this day and age. Miss Stanley was the Head Mistress, and Mrs
Bailey was deputy head.
When we were studying for our exams, we were allowed 'free periods', and
a choice as to what we did with that. Boys from Woodlands were invited
to come to Tile Hill Wood to do cookery, and we could go to Woodlands
and study woodwork - needless to say at that age we didn't need
encouragement!
At Woodlands we were taught by a Mr English - who couldn't handle girls
at all. Nevertheless, I still managed to build a coffee table before he
had a nervous breakdown.
