Looking Back
Southampton In Song
The Songs
Looking Back
Southampton is an anomaly - new buildings rising up phoenix-like in the wake of Hitler's bombs, amidst the Norman towers and walls of the old town. Many well known and much-loved landmarks were lost in blitz; in all, 45,000 buildings in the town were destroyed or damaged to some extent.
It's easy to be nostalgic - it's the prerogative of every generation - and Southampton has seen it's fair share of change. Progress, in all its guises, has stalked the city throughout the years, and Roy Harrison's song looks back on just a few of the sights and sounds; jogging memories and causing more than a few eyes to mist over. The speedway at Bannister Court, the Gaiety Theatre; they're all here. As a matter of interest, the Regent cinema in Shirley and the Ritz in Bitterne both finally closed their doors within weeks of each other in 1961.
Roy Harrison was a cobbler by trade, and a son of Southampton through and through.
Brian Hooper
Jeff Henry