Rupert gets his Ivor Novello award

There’s no getting away from that little bear with his sweater and scarf. As well as its excellent chart performance, on 13th March ‘We All Stand Together’ won the Ivor Novello Award for Best film Theme or Song in 1984. Unfortunately, Linda was suffering from tonsilitis so that she and Paul were unable to attend. George Martin was an able deputy and really entered into the spirit of the occasion, as you can see.

The annual Awards are organized by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors in honour of Ivor Noveno, the Welsh actor-playwright, composer and producer. His first hit was ‘Keep The Home Fires Burning’ in 1914 (when he was 21 , at the beginning of the First World War, while ‘We’ll Gather Lilacs’ succeeded in 1945 as the Second was ending, giving some idea of his lengthy spell at the top. Novello was best known as composer of shows such as Glamorous Night,The Dancing Years and King’s Rhapsody, all of which were filmed; he died in London in 1951.

Since his Beatles days, Paul has been no stranger to the Novello Awards. In fact, the first award he received in his own right was earlier than you might think. in 1967 for his ‘Love In The Open Air’ theme to the film The Family Way, starring Hywel Bennett and Hayley Mills —the category was Best Instrumental Theme. Ten years later, ‘Mull Of Kintyre’ scooped the Award for Best Selling A-Side of 1977, followed in 1979 by a Special Award for Outstanding Services to Music, possibly the one Paul treasures most. ‘Ebony And Ivory’ was his first Novello of the ’80’s, receiving the Award as International Hit of 1982.

From Club Sandwich N°36, 1985

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