Haydn Bunton CD Launch

[MaroonBoy]

A mate has just forwarded the following message to me. I don't know any details about the artist or the story behind the song but my friend assures me the gig is real (he's the mc on the night):

To All Football Lovers!
CD Launch
Tribute to a Football Great - Launch of the CD
"The Ballad of Haydn Bunton" performed by Ken Mansell & Peter Bell.
Haskins Hotel, 296 Rae Street, North Fitzroy
Wednesday July 9th, 7.30pm.
Music and Guest Speakers.
MC - Dr. Dave Nadel, VUT.

 

[Mobbs]

Interesting, would like to learn more ... but I doubt I'd be let out for it, anyway.

 

[FitzRedsPres]

Hi MaroonBoy,

Might pay to get your friend to get in touch with me about the CD launch as we should be able to help out with publicity given that the three sporting clubs (Fitzroy Reds FC, Fitzroy Junior FC & Edinburgh CC) have recently requested to change the name of the historic ground on brunswick st from it's current label "Peterson Oval" to a more apt "Hadyn Bunton Oval", plus also requested the erection a bronzed statue commemorating the great at the site. This has been formally requested via the City of Yarra's Edinburgh Gardens Master Planning process which sets the 10 vision for works conducted in the precinct. A guy called Martin Tighe has already commissioned a few minaturette's and another guy called Chris Donald is in the middle of writing a book about Hadyn Bunton - could tie into a good story in the leader or melbourne times very nicely.

Cheers,

Benjy

Benjy.Lee@AustralianPaper.com.au
0421 557 699
8540 2246 (W)

 

[MaroonBoy]

Hi Benjy,
Yarra City Council should change the name of Brunnie Street. Why not get a petition going?
I believe both Chris Donald and Bill Atherton know of the CD launch - they were shown as cc's on the e-mail I received.
Cheers
Maroon Boy.

 

[Fat Pizza]

Don't forget this is on tonight, if you get a chance to get there.

 

[Slax]

SO what was it like?
You've got to give us all the goss FP.

 

[skilts]

Originally posted by Slax
SO what was it like?
You've got to give us all the goss FP.

Heard the song on the way to the Brisbane/Geelong game, at the end of last year. The song is magnificent. I sat in the car and blubbered like an idiot after hearing it. A must-buy for all Fizzroy fans.

 

[Fat Pizza]

A good night was had by all.

There were several guest speakers.

Chris Donald, who is launching a new book about Haydn Bunton at the same venue on 10 Sept 2003, told us a bit about Bunton's life & career. He also mentioned that Bunton had played cricket against Sir Donald Bradman & billiards with Walter Lindrum.

Richard McLean, brother of Michael Magic McLean & a current player in the Ballarat Footy League, told us about his friendship with Ken Mansell, who wrote the song & performs on the CD & about Sir Douglas Nicholls, who had a strong connection with the Bunton family. The example Bunton gave to ensure Nicholls was accepted by his Fitzroy teammates is a strong theme in the song.

Then we had an old bloke, who'd followed the Roys for about 80 years & who used to walk back to the train station with Bunton after footy matches. He confirmed that Bunton was indeed the best player ever.

Just in case we didn't believe him, Bill Stephen reaffimed what a great player Bunton was. Bill grew up in Fitzroy & used to wear Bunton's no. 7 on his jumper, as a kid. He also related what footy was like in those days before saturation media coverage. A lot of people, including young Bill, went along to the shop where Bunton used to work, just so they could see their hero.

I was a bit surprised Ken Mansell didn't actually sing the ballad on the night, but the CD was played over & over. Ken & his wife spoke about the origins & inspiration behind the song & about their friend, Peter Bell, who wrote the music for the ballad & shared the vocals with Ken on the CD. Unfortunately Peter died of cancer in May this year, soon after the song was recorded.

If you'd like to read the lyrics & find out more about the CD, check out http://www.buntonsong.com/

I'd also suggest you get down to Haskins pub & have a look at the fantastic Fitzroy memorabilia all over the walls. Chris' book launch on 10 Sept would be the perfect opportunity.

 

[MaroonBoy]

FitzroyPizza's right - it was a good night.

The old fella who carried Haydn's bags back in the 1930's goes by the name of Frank Dear. He's 89 and told us he first started barracking for the Royboys back in 1924. Loved listening to him - he had an amazing recall of Haydn and the Royboys.

I hadn't been to Haskins before. Quite a Royboy pub - even has a 'Fitzroy Room' full of old photos and the like. Bit too neat and tidy for my liking - I prefer the chaos of Royboy memoribilia at the Napier, opposite the Fitzroy Town Hall.