R.I.P Val Doonican.

[Eric Mc]

Probably the most awful records he ever made. Being Irish, those songs always made me cringe. For an Irishman, songs like that have the same effect an episode of the above mentioned "Black and White Minstrel Show" might have on someone of African-Carribbean descent.

I much prefer his ballads rather than the "novelty" songs. He had a lovely voice which was well suited to songs like "What Would I be", Elusive Butterfly" and "Ring of Bright Water".

[Mojocvh]

Cheib said:

The more you think back to 70's TV the weirder it was....when you think there were only three channels and he was prime time on a Saturday night along with The Genration Game, Black and White Minstrels etc etc

For those of you that haven't seen or heard of the latter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoYOraDt1_k

Excuse me, 70's tv was ACE! proper family entertainment:


http://www.teletronic.co.uk/anglia_television.htm



The B&W minsterals show was weird even for a 10yr old, but waning and even then was looked down upon IIRC...

[Eric Mc]

Even though it soldiered on into the 1970s it was really a creature of the 1950s and 60s.

[p1esk]

CooperD said:

I can remember watching his TV show's in the 80's when he sang in a rocking chair whilst wearing various items of knitwear. He did have some good guests on the show like Glen Campbell. It was very easy listening but very popular.

Very sad news. He had a lovely style. RIP Val.

I think he gave Dave Allen's career a great boost by having him as a regular guest on the Val Doonican Show.

[MarshPhantom]

Funkycoldribena said:

el stovey said:

I saw this pop up on the BBC news feed but felt a bit ashamed I had never heard of him. I just looked him up and played some of his classics but hadn't heard of them either. Is that a bit uncultured?

Was he popular outside Ireland?

Had a program on sat nights for years in the 70's.

TV entertainment in the Seventies, it either Val or Mike Yarwood.

[DrDeAtH]

Fishtigua said:

My Nana loved a bit of VD on a Sunday.

I hope she got down the clinic afterwards......

[PlayersNo6]

Bodie390 said:

Christmas was the time I remember about Val Doonican in his rocking chair rip.

+1

[Ayahuasca]

RegMolehusband said:

One of my late Mum's favourites. Thank you for making her happy Val.

Do you think he has a working internet connection where he is?

[Catweazle]

My mother is a big fan of Val Doonican and he played a large part in my musical upbringing. He was also a very talented artist.

http://www.valdoonican.com/painting.htm

[Kaj91]

stevejh said:

He had his own prime TV show every Saturday night on BBC1 for many years in the seventies. All very laid back, easy listening type stuff.

Val was like a permanent fixture on Saturday night TV during my youth, his shows ran from 1965 to 1986. The show launched numerous artists' careers including that of comedian Dave Allen.

He was probably as famous for his jumpers as any of his songs. RIP Michael Valentine 'Val' Doonican.