Robin Richmond Choo Choo Samba Video

Famous BBC Hammond Organist
b. 21 April 1912, London, England, d. 27 July 1998, England. Part of Richmond's education came at Westminster School, and while learning to play the organ he took some lessons on the instrument in Westminster Abbey. The son of a doctor, he was directed towards a career in law but music became his passion. Richmond played at the Mission Hall in Lambeth, south London, but his delight in currently popular swing music found a better outlet when he was hired to play the organ at the Astoria Cinema in nearby Streatham. During the 30s, Richmond played at cinemas throughout the UK and also appeared at variety theatres, notably on the bill with the Two Leslies (Leslie Sarony and Leslie Holmes). In London, he played often in cabaret at swish venues such as the Café de Paris and the Café Anglais. In 1937 he appeared at the London Palladium in a show entitled Swing Is In The Air, which featured Jack Hylton and his band, as well as singer Gloria Day, accordionist Joe Rossi, and guitarist Roy Smeck. One of the first organists to introduce the Hammond organ to UK audiences, Richmond was important in popularizing the instrument through live performances, radio broadcasts and on record.
During World War II, Richmond, who had volunteered for the Royal Navy but was classed as medically unfit, performed regularly at the Paramount Cinema in London. From there, he made broadcasts and was also heard on the air from the BBC's own theatre, the Criterion. On radio, he hosted his own Organ Grinder's Show as well as appearing on variety and quiz shows on radio and early television. Sparked by what was intended as a one-off radio show, from 1969 Richmond became the host of BBC Radio 2's very popular series, The Organist Entertains. He bowed out of the show in 1979 although it remained a popular item in the schedules.
Richmond continued to make occasional live appearances, maintaining his popularity through the years and he was still working in the 90s. He made numerous records, and examples of his work can be found on many compilations of organ music. Richmond's compositions include "Madeira Cake-Walk".