You take one look at this and think, “Hey, I didn’t know that Terry Jones had a twin separated at birth — how ironic that they share a name and enjoy sitting at a piano in fascinating modes of dress.”
But alas, the tale is much more interesting than that. Mike Terry, is, according to this Independent article, a “cabaret artiste”. It also mentions his weight (20 stone, which is, I believe 280 pounds or 127.3 kg.), and the fact that he does a Dorothy Squires tribute act. It also mentions a reviewer who called the act “grotesque.” (And it doesn’t mention any relationship with Monty Python’s Terry Jones.)
I don’t know, Mike has kind of a sweet face, and in this picture, he’s clearly loving whatever it is he’s singing. Those sequins are pretty slimming too — I would never have guessed he’s 20 stone. Not that we should be talking about his weight at all! He’s probably thinking of all the great times he had with Dorothy (he was her rehearsal pianist) thinking: “I bet I could wear that sequined thing she’s wearing and make it look good.”
Actually, to be fair, he wasn’t thinking that, because he does not describe his act as a drag act. According to the article Mike says: “I suppose it could be described as semi-drag. It’s a unisex suit in sequins, and I’ve trimmed the edge with feathers, just to give them a hint of Dorothy. I’m portraying her, not impersonating her.”
Considering the article is 10 years old, it’s still quite impressive.
And who was Dorothy Squires?
She was a Welsh singer who seemed to be good at three things:
- singing songs that other people turned into hits
- drinking
- commencing libel actions.
She was also married to Roger Moore (the worst 007) for a few years. Apparently they argued so violently that a frightened Moore took to sleeping in the shed to avoid her. (Can you imagine Sean Connery doing that, I don’t think so.)
But according to Mike Terry, she will never be forgotten: “She’s one of the evergreen performers,” he enthuses (in the Independent article). “She’s never going to die. Well, she’s dead, obviously, but her name is never going to die.”
Brilliant. Python couldn’t have written that line better.
The Most Alarming thing about this cover? It’s volume two.
Start the year off right with some satirical fiction …
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I would like to make an enqiry?
My Aunt has a cassette tape of Mike Terry called (Hurt) but it has been shredded by the cassette player, is there any possiblity that we could get a replacement from anywhere. It is important as she used to listen to it with her Husband who has passed away and it holds fond memories for her. Can you help me. Thank you
It looks like you can get some music here: http://www.mtraks.com/artist/mike_terry/release/73177-the_plush_piano
Awww, I just typed in Mikes name to google to what came up. He used to be one of my Grandmothers good friends before she passed away. I think he used to take her on day trips out and about.
HI, I USED TO DO MIKE TERRYS MUSIC AND PLAY 2ND KEYBOARDS BACKING FOR HIM. HE IS A VERY DEAR SPECIAL FRIEND AND I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW IF HE IS WELL AND WHERE HE IS LIVING NOW.
THANKS A MILLION,
WENDY
Hi, i knew Mike Terry when i was working in a restaurant from 1999 to 2009. He came about 6 months every year (normally autumn-winter) to a pub cabaret in front of the restaurant i worked in Benidorm, Spain.
I served him burgers and vanilla milk shakes or soda water.
He was so mannered and always doing jokes, but in a good way, he was so sweety and nice.
I know the last years, he had no good health, one day he faint in his apartment, but it seemed he recovered well. The last year i worked there, he didn’t come to work to Spain, but i don’t know what happened (don’t think it’s because of health).
Hope he is good wherever he is.