by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)

SWEET MEMORIES OF DAL RICHARDS

My 21st birthday was coming up and I wanted something special to celebrate on that particular July 17.

My darling husband, Bill, had been with the Vancouver Fire Department for three years, we already had our first son, David, and we were expecting baby number two in 12 days. Money was tight — and so were my clothes.

Nevertheless, I kept hearing the ads on Vic Waters radio show on CJOR, all about dining and dancing at the Hotel Vancouver's Panorama Roof, "the scenic ballroom with the world at your feet,” headlined by the famous band leader, Dal Richards.

I begged and cajoled for days before Bill finally gave in and said "Okay. Make the reservation."

I was positively trembling as I called the reservation line at the Hotel Vancouver to make a date for the following Saturday night, praying that they weren't sold out. My prayers were answered. The big night arrived; I waddled into something suitable and we were off.

I was a bit concerned getting into the hotel elevator as I'd never gone up 15 floors before, but with Bill holding my hand, it was okay. We could hear the strains of the orchestra as we arrived and scurried to our window seats. As we passed Dal, I saw him smile and nod, probably thinking, "Let's hope it's not tonight!"

I don't recall the menu or what we ate but I do remember Bill ordering two cokes. As we sat there sipping, the orchestra struck up the jazzy “In The Mood”, and the dance floor was flooded instantly. I'd never seen so many couples turn into a jiving Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It was fantastic!

**Dal Richards and singer Lorraine McAllister, with Bing Crosby at Oscar’s Steak House in 1950.**

And it went on and on until the last note faded and the exhausted dancers returned to their seats. Dal then said that he was going to slow things down a bit and began playing a familiar ballad.

All of a sudden, he was beside us and asking Bill if he could dance with me for the start of one of his favourite melodies. Of course Bill said "Yes!" and I drifted into an airy fairy cloud of happiness as Dal's orchestra played "As Time Goes By”.

And that was the beginning of our very long-lasting friendship.

The King of Swing and his band played at The Roof for 25 years and broadcast the show on Radio CBC every Saturday night. But, as his quarter century of making music on the Roof came around, he realized that that Big Band era had passed and he needed a new gig. So he had to make a very big lifestyle turnaround.

Ever the optimist, he enrolled in the Hotel Management course at BCIT, going from his gigs at midnight, sleeping on a bench at the school and starting his courses promptly at 8 a.m.

His first job was at Roy Lisogar's Century Plaza on Burrard, followed by an assistant manager's job at the Devonshire Hotel, and finally the assistant manager's job again, but this time at the (then) tony Georgia Hotel .

While he was there, I helped him produce several fun shows, like the old melodramas, Wedded To a Villain and The Drunkard, by Vancouver playwrite Raymond Hull, in one of the hotel's ballrooms before he got back on the musical conducting ride.

**Dal Richards and his original orchestra, with lorraine mcallister at the mic.**

One particular thing that Dal truly loved was playing for New Year's Eve parties, no matter where the occasion was. In fact, he played 79 consecutive New Year's Eve's.

It is also a little weirdly amazing that, at 97, he passed away peacefully with his loving wife, Muriel, holding his hand, on New Year's Eve.

Over the course of his long life, the King of Swing married three times. His wives were singer Beryl Bodin, the young and glamorous Lorraine McAllister who began singing with the band when she was 15 years old and wowed the crowd with the wartime hit, "There'll Always be An England" and lastly, as I mentioned, Muriel Honey, the widow of CKNW's Rick Honey.

And no, Dal never married Our Pet, Juliette, but he loved her on stage, singing with his band.

**the dal richards memoir, co-authored with jim taylor. (Harbour Publishing / 2009)**

Dal and wife, Lorraine McAllister, had one child, a daughter named Dallas, whom her Dad adored. Dallas worked for Mary Kay Cosmetics for years over on Vancouver Island and finally earned her prize — a beautiful pink Cadillac. Dal absolutely adored Dallas, he was so proud of her and she of him.

After ailing with cancer for some time, Lorraine was taken to Vancouver General Hospital and passed away on April 27, 1984. She and Dal were wed for 33 years. I was at her funeral at a church in South Granville where it was packed with weeping women and the pianist played Lorraine's recording of "Here's That Rainy Day".

I couldn't have wept more. It was so sad.

Her death really upset him as he suddenly realized that he was on his own, in poor health, which he had managed to ignore for several years, and he wasn't feeling well at all...

But Dal's life happily turned around a couple of years later when he met sprightly Muriel Honey and her daughters and her grandchild. They brightened his life immensely and the two were wed soon after.

I had planned a little Hogmanay gathering at my house on Grand Boulevard in North Vancouver, a few days before New Year's Eve, 2015. While I knew that he was too ill to come, I told Dal that we'd miss him, sings songs to him and wished him a very happy New Years Eve.

The day of the party, my phone rang. It was Muriel. All she said was "Have some big guys at your back door ‘cause he's coming!"

I had my Bill, VPD Chief Constable Bob Stewart, hospitality's Ray Greenwood and writer, Jack Lee, all lined up . It was tough but they did the trick. It was a minor miracle but a very happy one!!

With lots of cozy warm blankets, Dal sat on my chesterfield between Joanie Lee and the Variety Club's Barbara Stewart and held my hand as we sang, "Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot".

Dal passed away at home a few days later in their condo on New Year's Eve, 2015.

What a story! What a life!

**we don’t often share photos of our dinners, but when we do, it has to be the surf & turf special at the panorama roof!**

The Hotel Vancouver PR department did a lovely tribute to the late, great bandsman last month in the Panorama Roof as part of the hotel's Summer Swing program.

It was also a tribute to the Golden Era of the Panorama Roof. The Roof was alive with a crowd who wanted to dance and frolic and just have a fun evening while listening to Dal's music by the new Vancouver Jazz Orchestra.

McKenzie McDonald was the evening's emcee, welcoming such guests as Leila Kwok and Denny Chow, the delightfully Irish Claire Leonard and Mike and Jill Killeen among others.

One of the evening's delights was their Dinner Through The Decades, featuring Lyonnaise Salad, Surf and Turf, which was a combo of Beef Tenderloin and Lobster Fricassee with the scrumptious Baked Alaska for dessert. White and red wine flowed all night.

I think even the wait staff was happy to be back on "The Roof"...

THE TOMAHAWK

Speaking of ages, everyone on or near the North Shore and beyond has heard of the oldest restaurant in Vancouver.

**the north shore’s legendary tomahawk restaurant.**

It's the iconic Tomahawk Restaurant which opened its doors for dining customers way back in 1926.

The Tomahawk was founded by Chick Chamberlain, back in 1926 and has been serving large platters of super big taste treats ever since.

Chick's son, Chuck, has carried on his father's wish to serve great food in large portions like their beloved smoked salmon eggs benedict on an English muffin topped with homemade Hollandaise sauce and served with grilled hashbrowns and fresh fruit salad.

It now appears that the land upon which the Tomahawk stands is up for sale for $6.5 million.

So, for a truly hearty repast, head their way soon.

You'll see their sacred and colourful Totem Poles, which were gifted to Chick Chamberlain by the late Squamish Nation Chief, Joe Mathias, welcoming you at the door.

Come hungry...

THE WILLIAM TELL

Speaking of renowned Vancouver restaurants, one of the most proper and elegant was that of The William Tell in the 700 block of Richards Street. You waited weeks to get a reservation but when you did, you were in a dining heaven.

The owner, Swiss-born Erwin Doebeli, was a very proper and distinguished gentleman who had swept Vancouverites off their feet with his dignified European charm and vast knowledge of the ways of the kitchen.

The revered and much honoured William Tell Restaurant of yesteryear has been replaced by swinging Frankie's on Beatty off Georgia.

Must drop in soon...

**Jim Hibbard and wife Charlene Brondolini.**

CAN’T STOP DANCING!

And I want to send my very best wishes to a great guy and super dancer and entertainer, Jim Hibbard, whose long-awaited book about Hollywood and the stars, called "Can't Stop Dancing" will be celebrating his birthday this month on July 17, the same day as mine.

I just wanted to wish this happy Moonchild a very happy 82nd birthday.

Tell you all about his just released book "Can't Stop Dancing" next time...

Happy summer, everybody!...