Sir Jimmy Shand (1908 – 2000)
A Knight to Remember
It was with a sense of deep sadness that the world awoke on Saturday 23rd December 2000 to find that Sir Jimmy was amongst us no longer. There can be no doubt that Jimmy, approaching his 93rd birthday, had enjoyed by any standards a ‘good innings’. Indeed after a playing career dogged latterly by ill health he had enjoyed a long and relatively problem free retirement.
It is to Anne, Jimmy Junior and David that our thoughts turn at this time as they were ever in Jimmy’s thoughts. The public face of Jimmy was concerned the accordion and the Band but in his private life it was always his family who came first. To them we extend our deepest sympathy.
There seems little point in once again reiterating Jimmy’s well documented lift story. Within very recent memory this was covered on the occasion of his 90th birthday and on his well deserved, if long overdue, knighthood.
Instead let’s hear from that group who are sadly some of the last remaining musicians to have served, at various times, as regular members of the great Shand Band – from accordionist Jim Johnstone, pianist Jimmy Scott, bass player Stan Saunders, and drummer Bobby Colgan together with his lifetime friend Dr Sandy Tulloch and BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Take the Floor’ presenter and friend Robbie Shepherd.
Jim Johnstone
I am grateful to be given this opportunity to express my own thoughts and opinions of the late Sir Jimmy Shand.
He was a totally natural musician, completely self taught, and had reached the top of his profession as a result of his popularity and the respect he gained from the general public, fellow musicians and programme makers.
Having played in Jimmy’s Band I was fortunate to experience, first hand, his style, his flair and the way he played with dancers in mind. I’m always sure that because of the ‘dancy’ way he played, the music was infectious and made it great to listen to and ultimately send the feet tapping.
Jimmy always insisted the music be kept simple. That didn’t mean he only played simple tunes, it meant the arrangement was simple so that it did not detract from the melody or the rhythm and consequently what was heard was uncluttered.
I always felt that once Jimmy put his stamp on a tune it was hard to imagine the tune being played in any other way. He had a fantastic ability in putting a selection of tunes together and picking the right tunes for a particular dance. He was extremely knowledgeable about dancing and tempos. Over the Border in parts of England he used to play at dances that had a mixture of Old Time and Scottish Country Dancing, in fact a programme that would have baffled almost any other band.
Jimmy was also a prolific composer, new melodies came easily to him. I can remember on many occasions while travelling in the band bus, he would ask for a piece of paper (the blank pages of the A.A. book being full up) and, having acquired one, he would draw five lines on the paper and write down a new tune that had just come into his head.
I toured Australia and New Zealand with the band, which was a revelation to me. I knew from childhood that Jimmy Shand was a household name but was totally unprepared for the reception we got in these countries. We played in stadiums in Melbourne and Sydney to literally thousands of people. He would open the show with ‘Bonnie Dundee’ to a cheer something akin to the famous ‘Hampden Roar’ and I can honestly say that on more than one occasion I was overcome with emotion.
It has often been said that Jimmy was a shy man. I would refute this totally as he enjoyed meeting people and would converse freely with anyone he met. He was quiet spoken and felt a wee bit uncomfortable in the ‘Showbiz’ scene (the ‘Hello Darling’ brigade). He often said to me “They’ve only got me here to put bums on seats son”.
Even though he was a very busy man he was generous with his time. He would go out of his way to see someone in hospital or play for the old folk. He had compassion and humility which no doubt came from his background, his own personal experiences.
Having received the M.B.E. some years ago it was no surprise that this honour was upgraded just over a year ago to a full Knighthood. Sir Jimmy will be remembered for the legacy he has left us of his recordings, his compositions and most of all the memory of a fine gentleman.
I am proud to say he was my friend.
Jimmy Scott
Having stood in occasionally in earlier years I joined Jimmy’s Band in 1959, having previously played with the bands of Jack Delaney, Andrew Rankine and Hamish Menzies. I stayed with him until 1963 and during most of those four years I was full time with the band.
Looking back, one of the things that strikes me was that Jimmy never told you far in advance where the band would be playing. It was almost on a week to week basis along the lines of, “We’ll be gaun doon tae London next Wednesday”, and on the way down he would tell us where we were playing that night. That in itself could come as a bombshell when you were new to the band as well. “Windsor the night” springs to mind as an example.
Not every week was busy. Occasionally we might have only one job on, but that was the exception rather than the rule, and sometimes we had a run of theatre jobs for a week in say Margate or Aberdeen, or the Festival of Scotland in the Albert Hall in London where we played every night for a week to a full house. We also did Irish Clubs in Birmingham, Leicester and Coventry where Jimmy was very popular.
I was with Jimmy and the Band on their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1961 with Kenneth McKellar, Moira Anderson, Duncan McRae and comedian Jimmy Warren, We picked up a bass player in New Zealand, if I remember correctly, who had never played Scottish dance music before but like everybody who joined the band he just seemed to fall into Jimmy’s style and he fitted in fine. The venues were always mobbed and, believe it or not, as an example we played on three consecutive nights to crowds of eight thousand in Sydney.
Obviously whether at home or abroad we did a lot of travelling and Jimmy was always good company and, contrary to the ‘dour’ image, had a great sense of humour. I’ll never forget too, about a year or more after I left the band I got a phone call from Jimmy asking me to drop in and see him. Wondering what this was about I duly called in and Jimmy explained that he had received a letter saying that the Heather Mixture series of broadcasts, probably about seventy-five in all, had been sold to an overseas radio corporation and that as part of the deal he had received a cheque for the band’s part in the programmes. With that he handed me a sizeable amount of money, my share of the cheque. I never forgot that because he could easily have kept quiet about it and I would never have been any the wiser – it was a mark of the man.
I have many happy memories from those bygone days and feel privileged to have shared the stage, and the road with Jimmy Shand.
Stan Saunders
It was either ’57 or ’58 when my wife and I were travelling back to Dollar from Cupar that the bus stopped at Strathmiglo and I noticed Jimmy coming out of Hogg’s shoe shop. He happened to see me and hopped on the bus and asked if I would play at a Country Dance in Perth City Hall two nights hence as his bass player was ill.
I had got to know Jimmy in previous years by going to many dances when he played in the area. He often played at the Cochrane Hall in Alva and Andrew Rankine’s Band, of which I was a member, would play while Jimmy Band were having their break. Jimmy was a great one for inviting players up to sit in for a couple of dances. John White was his bass player at that time and he passed on some good advice to me. When Andrew went full time in 1959 most of the band decided to stay in their regular jobs and in 1960 Jimmy asked me to join him and I was with him until 1969.
Jimmy’s fame by then, of course, meant that the Band played the length and breadth of the country and the jobs were incredibly diverse – one night a village hall, the next a Highland Ball in London – but Jimmy was totally ‘unflappable’ and took everything in his stride.
Particular highlights which spring to mind were playing with him at the Carl Allen Award ceremony televised live from the Lyceum Theatre in London, and on another occasion Jimmy Scott and I having to make a life of death taxi journey to Kings Cross to catch a midnight sleeper to Edinburgh as we were due back at work next day. Add to that the contrast of landing on a cockle beach on Barra to do a live ‘On Tour’ recording on a Saturday night and as there were no planes on a Sunday we spent the afternoon watching ‘Whisky Galore’ at the schoolmaster’s house, then playing at a dance in a Nissan hut in the evening.
The band played to a packed Albert Hall in London at a Scots Concert, did numerous engagements at Balmoral, late Festival Shows at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh and many ‘On Tour’ broadcasts. These involved visiting different towns in Scotland and Jimmy would write a tune for each venue. This he usually did in the Band bus on our way using a small board with manuscript paper on which he would write eight bars then ‘doodle’ it to Syd Chalmers to ensure it wasn’t similar to anything else.
On the first occasion I played a quickstep with Jimmy at one point I started playing four beats in the bar. He turned round and said “Jist keep it simple son”.
I think this sums up Jimmy Shand – his music was simple and uncluttered, his tempos were perfect, allowing that famous Shand ‘dunt’ to come through.
I feel privileged to have known and worked with Jimmy Shand.
Bobby Colgan
My recollection of Jimmy Shand as a bandleader brings happy memories to mind. He was an easy man to work for and the music was easy to play along with. Providing you turned up on time, sober, tidy and conducted yourself with a wee bit of decorum the job was a pleasant one.
Things that stand out in my mind relate to his kindness and concern for other people. I remember when my wife, Alison, was due to give birth to our second child and the band assembled at ‘Mucthy to embark on a tour up north. We couldn’t understand why Jimmy was taking his car as well as the Band bus. As the tour progressed Jimmy kept asking if there was any word about the birth. On the second last night we were in the Empire, Inverness and just before the second house I phoned and discovered Alison had given birth to a baby boy. I was happy to report the news to Jimmy who immediately handed me the car keys and said, “You better get away doon the road son”.
On other occasions I remember him coming to Gorebridge at my request to play for the ‘housebound’ when he brought Dave Ireland with him to play the fiddle. We also stopped once at an ‘old people’s home’ and the whole band went in and gave them a tune, after which we had a quick cup of tea, and away to the gig.
I have lasting memories of Ireland where the name Jimmy Shand was so popular. The reception Jimmy and the Band received there was tremendous. The dance halls we played in were massive and always filled to capacity. The schedule was hectic but it did not stop him from paying a visit to a home for the old folk which was run by Nuns and giving them a tune.
I also remember on the way home from that tour, Jimmy declared two Shure microphones he had bought to the Customs Officer at the airport and in keeping with the times there was duty payable. The official was in some doubt as to how much he should charge and sought advice from a senior officer who took one look at Jimmy and enquired, “Are you Jimmy Shand?” The response being affirmative he then said, “I’m told by my sister in Australia that you are going out there shortly on tour. I wonder if you would play her a request from me when you’re there?” “Surely” said Jimmy “just give me a note of her name and yours and where she’s going to be and that will be nae bother son. Now how much am I due you for the duty on these microphones?” – Customs Officer, “What microphones”.
To conclude I would like to say I am proud to have been associated with Jimmy both as a fellow musician and a friend.
Dr Sandy Tulloch
(This tribute was delivered by Sandy Tulloch at Jimmy’s funeral service on 29th December 2000)
I’m deeply aware of the honour the Shand family have given in asking me to pay a tribute to Jimmy.
I met this remarkable man over sixty years ago and during this time we became not only friends, but real ‘pals’ – there is a difference, difficult to describe but very meaningful. We had, of course, a common love of Scottish music, but as the years passed, much, much more.
We all know his history. Every national newspaper and television channel has detailed his remarkable career. Not only one, but two biographies were published during his lifetime and few people can claim such fame.
Many degrees, honours and distinctions came to him over the years culminating in a well deserved Knighthood last year.
He was known and revered the world over as the master of Scottish Dance Music but the extraordinary thing is that Jimmy never changed. He remained the same valued friend to all. I never heard an ill word spoken about him and I never heard him say a critical word about anybody. His door was open to the world and with Anne’s help you were always sure of a welcome.
He had a phenomenal memory and would probably recall where and when he met you – even down to addresses in far flung places. All of us in ‘Muchty and Letham knew the helping hand was always there and you only had to ask to get his help to entertain the elderly, the sick and above all the disabled. He was a prolific composer of excellent Scottish music. The titles of the three hundred and more tunes read like a list of close friends and memorable occasions.
Contrary to appearances he had a fine sense of humour – he only looked serious when he was playing – and he was an excellent after dinner speaker.
He had many other talents. In his younger days he was a great lover of speed. Fast motor cars (I remember a green Jaguar in particular), a T.T. Racing Norton motorbike and a speedboat. His old friend and driver Andy Gow could tell some hair raising tales!
Jimmy was keen on his garden and his workshop. He had a particular love (and skill) in carving models of traditional fishing boats and sailing yachts. Two or three of us helped him with one such model only last summer.
But above all he was a family man and was blessed with a family who sincerely loved him in return. Our hearts go out to them, especially Anne and David. Jimmy’s life will continue to be a shining example to us all. Although justly proud of his achievements and his Knighthood he remained modest and steadfast at all times.
I’m going to close with a line from the Canterbury Tales where Chaucer describes one of his characters. He wrote “He was a very perfect Gentle Knight”.
Robbie Shepherd
(This tribute was delivered by Robbie Shepherd at Jimmy’s funeral service on 29th December 2000)
We meet, family an’ freens, frae aa the airts. Freens all and admirers of a man with a unique talent coupled with a hameower touch.
It was Jock Turpie more than sixty years ago, (Jock a local compere) who wrote :
“He’s playing tae the auld folk, yet a million fans he’s got,
Whaurever there’s a wireless set, whaurever there’s a Scot.
The pensioner, his crookit stick, becomes a magic wand,
As he chaps the flair and whistles, keeping time tae Jimmy Shand.
As one who’s within sight o’ the pensioner status now, I can vouch in the intervening years it wisna jist auld mannies that chappit the floor keeping time.
I recall my childhood days wi’ a whole Saturday evening on the wireless – the football, the Dance Music, the MacFlannels and the Old Music Hall.
This would be my first recollection of the name of Jimmy Shand and the follow-up would see my dad home fae his monthly visits to the big toon wi’ the latest 78 o’ Shand, Cameron, Rennie or Wilson.
Mt first meeting was when I was an aspiring compere, somewhat wet behind the lugs, and I had to introduce Jimmy onto the stage. Knocking shyly on his dressing room door, I was invited in wi’ a, “Come awa’ in son” and I said I thought I should introduce the first tune as well as the household name.
“Ah weel, ye micht hae some job there son” as he slowly read out the pipe march title. Some job! I memorized it ower and ower again and still have it imprintit on my mind some forty-five years later. It was “Dr Ross’s 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering”!
My main contact began when I started broadcasting and I’ll be forever grateful for his encouragement and his ready help when I had yet another query I wanted an answer to. Advice too, given with aa the sincerity and genuine interest that was the makkin’ o’ the man.
Countless folks, aye Esme and I included, have been touched with his quiet visits when a helpie-up, a lift, was needed. Story after story comes out. Many here today will vouch for the tremendous charitable work he undertook without any fuss – nae fanfare o’ trumpets.
But to his contribution to our proud heritage.
I place Jimmy alongside Niel Gow as the two main influences in the history of Scottish Dance Music, and both musicians are now side by side in portrait form in the National Gallery.
Both came from a rural background and Gow came to prominence in the mid 1700’s after a spell when dancing had been banned by the kirk as being promiscuous. Gow’s playing and compositions for Society Balls became the stepping stone to the dance music we know today – only without an accordion.
Enter Jimmy Shand this past century, who took the humble bothy instrument into play, upgraded to his own specification Shand Morino and today we find most bands led by the accordion.
It’s simple music, oor music, and Jimmy was the one to keep it on the right rails with impeccable timing and a sound that never changed, irrespective of who was in the band. “I jist play to the feet o’ the best dancers in the hall” he would say modestly.
Simple music? Try Tellin’ that to some o’ the folk who bought accordions off him whilst he was with Forbes of Dundee. “Play by sight the first night”.
Like the young farm lad who had made a down payment on a Black Dot Double Ray from a stand of Forbes at an Angus Show.
On the monthly payments drying up, Jimmy was dispatched to the fairm loon’s bothy to take back the box. Jimmy duly obliged, when he was asked to play a tune on it before he took it away.
The moment o’ truth arrived for oor fairm billie for, as he handed ower the box, he suddenly spat oot – “Ach ye’re just a lot o’ bloody swicks onywye. Play at Sicht the Same Nicht? Weel, I’ve hid the damnt thing twa ‘eers an I canna play it yet!”
He was not the only frustrated musician when the sound of Shand was around.
As an ambassador for Scotland with his down-to-earth couthy approach, there can have been few finer in the twentieth century than Jimmy Shand.
Yes, a man unique in his field. A man, his music and, most importantly, his family.
The music of Jimmy Shand will live on and on and specially at this time - we think on the Hogmanay parties worldwide when memories of home come from the recordings “Don’t sit on my Jimmy Shand’s” and the strains of “Welcome Christmas Morning”.
We salute you Jimmy. You have placed our music on a pedestal which is equal to any. For that we’ll be forever in your debt.
Thank you.
My thanks to Jim, Jimmy, Stan, Bobby, Sandy and Robbie for their contributions and to Jim Murphy, Stan Saunders, Angus Oliver, Fergus Maule and Jack Cooper for the loan of photographs supporting this tribute.
Since Jimmy retired from public performance more than twenty years ago, many of the present day Scottish Dance Music enthusiasts will never have had an opportunity to have heard the Shand Band live or indeed to have met Jimmy himself. We need not worry however, his legacy lives on in many aspects of our present day Scottish Dance Bands although one thing is for certain, we shall not see his like again in out lifetimes.
Charlie Todd
Dear Sir
It was with deep sadness that we all learned of the death of Jimmy Shand M.B.E, MA, on the morning of Saturday, 23rd December 2000. Sir Jimmy was a legend in his lifetime and became a world-known name throughout the years, having toured so many countries and met so many people, who enjoyed his immaculate style and timing. There are stories of crowds of fans blocking the streets in Aberdeen, New York, Dublin and Sydney, to name but a few places he visited.
There will be millions of tributes, but as a fairly close friend for over 40 years, I have been privileged to attend many of the functions, public and private, organized by the Shand family, and these are the intimate memories of Sir Jimmy Shand, which, fortunately I, along with others, will be able to treasure for life.
Sir Jimmy also composed many tunes, which are played regularly by other musicians at Accordion and Fiddle Clubs, and perhaps one of his earlier compositions, ‘Welcome Christmas Morning’ would seem quite appropriate at this time.
The saddest day was the funeral service at Auchtermuchty on Friday, 29th December, when Sir Jimmy was laid to rest. It was nice to see so many people paying their last respects to Sir Jimmy, in the church, at the graveside and at Letham Cillage Hall. The Rev. Ann Fraser conducted an excellent service and this was supported by great tributes from Dr Sandy Tulloch ( a lifelong friend and fellow musician) and Robbie Shepherd.
I am confident that the real friends and fans will give every support to the family at this sad time.
I also enclose a copy of a poem composer many years ago by a friend of Sir Jimmy, Jock Turpie, and I’m sure all will agree it is quite appropriate.
John McDonald (Kirkcaldy)
The Laddie frae East Wemyss
By Jock Turpie
The Wemyss has aye been famous for its castles and its lairds,
Its ruins and past histories o’ kail and ither yairds,
But still mair famous it’s become, admired throughout the land,
For in the Wemyss was born and bred a chap ca’ed Jimmy Shand.
I met him at the puir hoose, aye twenty years ago,
A striplin’ he wis awfy blate ans sweer to mak’ his bow,
But on the stage he trampit, man, the fingerin’ wis grand,
I could see the hallmark stampit on that laddie Jimmy Shand.
He’s playing tae the auld folk, yet a million fans he’s got,
Whaurever there’s a wireless set, whaurever there’s a Scot.
The pensioner, his crookit stick, becomes a magic wand,
As he chaps the flair and whistles, keeping time tae Jimmy Shand.
He has scores o’ imitators, but they dinna hae the lilt,
They remind you o’ a piper on the mairch without his kilt’
But tae him it’s a’ sae simple, and it tickles up the gland,
When ye hear auld ‘Kate Dalrymple’ introducin’ Jimmy Shand.
So let’s forget oor troubles, nae matter hoo we feel,
Pit on a record lassie, and we’ll hae the Eightsome Reel,
Life’s no the problem it wid seem, if we could just understand,
So tak’ your partners and bless The Wemyss fur gie’n us Jimmy Shand.
Box and Fiddle
February 2001
Last month’s tribute to Sir Jimmy Shand has inspired some of our readers to write in with their own memories of the great man. We thank you for your letters, and for your photographs. We do not have room for all of the photographs here, but are keeping them on file for future issues.
Bob Brown (Reading)
Reading Jimmy Scott and Stan Saunders’ to Jimmy Shand in the February B&F brought back memories of the 50’s. They mentioned the Festival of Scotland in London at the Royal Albert Hall. I was the Stage Manager for the Festival, which was compered by Andy Stewart. I had the privilege of meeting Jimmy Shand, making sure that he had everything he wanted (which was nothing!) “Dinnae worry aboot us son, the boys will sort their own chairs”.
At the end of the Festival, I spoke to Jimmy about the great Festival we had just witnessed and I mentioned that it had always been my dream to dance to a live Jimmy Shand Band. At the time I was Secretary of the Reading and District Caledonian society and he said ‘would you like us to play at your Annual Ball- when is it?’ I told him the date five months hence but I doubted that we could afford him. He answered that they were available on that date and would play for £100. I gulped (I was on £380 per annum salary at the time!) but said okay, if you give me your address, I will confirm it all in writing. He said, “I never write letters or answer them. Don’t worry son, we’ll be there.”
Yes, they came on the correct day at the correct time at Reading Town Hall and I spent that evening in bed with flu! When Jimmy was told, he said that the lad must be awful disappointed – could he visit him the next morning. He was persuaded not to visit due to the infectious nature of the illness. What a man!
Jim Cook (Windygates)
Regarding the Jimmy Sand story, my own personal association with Jimmy has only been since becoming involved with Buttonkey A&F Club, of which he was Life President, over the past five years, which were unfortunately his declining years. However, my association with his music has been for a much longer time, when his dance records have been taken all over the world over a period of some 25 years with my wife and I whilst working in many overseas locations. Wherever we went, from the remotest areas of West Africa, to the islands of the Caribbean, to Guyana, and to the Middle East in the Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia, we formed Scottish Country Dance groups and danced to none other than the dance music of Jimmy Shand. In my only too short, person-to-person, association with Sir Jimmy Shand, I was always made welcome in his home, he had a delightful personality, and I found him always to be so friendly and a real gentleman.
Dr Bernard Dixon O.B.E.
None of the spine-tingling moments I’ve enjoyed at classical concerts over the years can quite compare with my rapture on first hearing Jimmy Shand and his Band playing live. The venue was the Baths Hall, Darlington, and I had gone to dance. Yet I spent much of the evening close to the stage, marvelling at the natural musicianship, distinctive lilt, rock solid tempi and tight ensemble playing of Jimmy, Syd Chalmers, Norman Whitelaw and the rest of the band. This was pure magic – a quantum leap from the harsh recording quality of many of the band’s early 78s. Later, in Leeds in 1958, I listened for the first time to Jimmy performing solo, when he accompanied Highland dancer Bobby Watson. The combination of precision and élan as he played ‘Whistling Rufus’ and ‘The Irish Washerwoman’ was electrifying. This was also the moment when I discovered Jimmy’s distinctive, indeed unique, skill in decorating the melody with grace notes, particularly in waltzes and 2/4 marches. What a pity there are so few commercial recordings of him playing unaccompanied in his middle and later years.
Between those two events, I had got to know the maestro and had warmed to his modest, kindly nature. One memory is of the first occasion when I played with my own band in the interval at a Jimmy Shand dance. I asked him afterwards what he thought of our efforts. His reply (“Aye, son, steady”) was both encouraging and wonderfully enigmatic.
Then there was Jimmy’s no-nonsense response when I was asked to book the band for a ball organised by Darlington Burns Association. Tiresomely two other locals societies had objected to the proposed event, which they saw as competition. I felt obliged, therefore, to tell Jimmy that they had both tried to dissuade the Burns Association from going ahead. “Don’r worry, son.” Jimmy said, “I’ll play for anybody.”
Robin Ellis (Bromley, Kent)
Firstly many congratulations on the cover of the recent B&F. ‘The Empty chair’ was so very, very appropriate and the picture on the back cover must be one of the best ever taken of the maestro. I felt that the thoughts and reminiscences of those who played with him were so right. It was good to see Stan Saunders and Jimmy Scott were included and interesting to note that they both remembered the Albert Hall concerts. We had about 5,500 in the audience every night and a few days later a Ball in The Rainbow Rooms, Derry & Thoms at which there were some 1,200 dancers. I was one of the Festival of Scotland organising Committee and remember so well Jimmy’s easy going attitude and ability to deliver exactly what was required without any fuss whatsoever. About 40 years ago I was also one of those who, when Jimmy came to London was invited to sit in with the band for a number of dances. I was ever grateful for his kindness as this encouraged me to start my career as a Scottish dance band leader, which continues to this day, and I might add that I am still enjoying it immensely. Those were certainly ‘Great Days’ which I doubt very much could be repeated today. When Jimmy retired from playing for dancing I lost touch until one day a few years ago I visited Letham Village Hall. There he was, just the same as ever. I think I can honestly say he was one of the nicest people I have ever met.
Renwick MacArthur
I first met Jimmy Shand at a dance in Lockerbie Town Hall during the war while I was home on leave from the Navy. A friend of mine, Jackie Wilson, was playing his accordion during the interval and, as Angus Fitchet had kindly loaned me his old black fiddle, I was able to join him.
Near the end of our session I became aware of someone standing just off-stage and, as I got up to leave, I found it was the Maestro himself. He turned to me and said, “If you’re all right for the Dashing White Sergeant laddie, just sit still and we’ll let the wee man have another fag.”
It possibly didn’t mean much to the Great Man, but for me it is a lifetime memory.
Wilma Shorthouse (Dunfermline)
Bert was a member of the ‘Shand Band’ from September 1957 to September 1965, then with more BBC ‘On Tour’ programmes in the summer of 1966. This at a time when the band was at its busiest and most popular. Theatre, radio, TV shows and records on top of the dances the length and breadth of the isles and also the Australian and New Zealand tours have all been well documented so I don’t know if I can add anything there.
Bert was the ‘young one’ and the extra one to the established band but was quickly accepted and fitted in. Coming from Fife, as was Jimmy then, the two of them often went in Jimmy’s car while the bus left with the others from Dundee. Particularly going north or west it saved Jimmy some time. Because of this he was often in my home and I found him a kindly, concerned man, always the same and unassuming. Bert and Jimmy were good friends and Jimmy would often have Bert playing duets with him on radio programmes or ask him to play solo. It was only Jimmy’s decision to become semi-retired and Bert’s need to be fully employed that made them split but still they would play together at local charity jobs.
Another occasion was when Bert was playing regularly in Glenrothes Centre for afternoon tea dances and it was coming near Christmas time. The Council arranged for Jimmy to switch on the town’s Christmas lights from the Centre. Jimmy did so, then joined Bert on the bandstand and played there for the rest of the afternoon. This was shown on BBC TV at 6.30 news time.
Ian L. Smith
In the beginning was the word, and the word was God. In six days he made the Heavens and Earth and all therein. On the seventh he rested but was not happy. He saw his people had sad faces. So he pondered, and thought long and hard, then smiled.
On the eighth day he madeth a fiddle, and from the multitude a man came forth and, placing it on his shoulder, he began to play and the people threw down their tools and sat down an listened and God was pleased.
On the ninth day he madeth a huge fiddle. It was as tall as a man and as fat as a woman. Again a man steppeth forth and began to play and God saw his people were smiling. On the tenth day he madeth a drum and a man came forth with two sticks and he kicked the drum and mightily hit it with his sticks and the people stood up smiling and clapping and stampeth their feet. At this the animals, the sheeps, goats and asses ran to the top of the hill and were afraid.
On the eleventh day God he madeth an accordion and a man came out and winding his arms round it he played so sweetly that a wondrous thing happened. A man tooketh a woman and with arms around each other they twisted and turned and twirled and were happy. Faster and faster and the woman shrieked with happiness and the man, he laughed and shouted. Another man took another woman, then another and another, till all were dancing.
Even the animals on the hill were happy with twitching tails and nodding heads, the sheep they baaaed, the goats they bleated and the asses they brayed.
When God saw all this he was happy. Even he stood up and stampeth his feet.
At last he reached his arms to Heaven and in a loud voice he cried out “Stop!” As his people faced him he saw his good works. “go forth from this place and spread the word that music is the Spice of Life. Take your animals and go in peace.”
Here ends the Gospel of Shand.
Noel Tuohy
I first met Jimmy Shand Snr when on tour in the early 60s. We traveled all over just to hear and meet him. He was a gentleman and was more than willing to speak to us. Because of these meetings I learned of Auchtermuchty and made my first of about four visits to him at his home. We would talk and play together and he would point out ways of improving my playing. Like for instance using the F sharp in ‘Jackson’s Jig’ (second note) on the Press rather than the Draw of the bellows. On stage Jimmy perhaps seemed to have ‘no personality’ but this was, I believe, due to the tremendous concentration he put into his playing.
In the 60s Hohner ran competitions for accordion and harmonica here in Ireland with a different venue each year. I entered my six-piece band in 1963, held in Limerick. We won the Hohner Shield for Ceili Music. We defended this All-Ireland title on four occasions - 1964 Galway, 1965 Dublin, 1966 Dundalk and 1967 cork. Jimmy was proud of his ‘pupil’s’ success in winning the shield five times.
In 1966 Jimmy did a dance in Shanagolden, twenty miles from Limerick. As before, we traveled to meet him. There was a local band on first and while waiting Jimmy would speak to us and do the waltz with my sister. His band would take the bandstand at 11 p.m., it was a 9 to 1 a.m. dance. On this occasion Jimmy came from the bandstand at about midnight and approached me. He suggested I play a waltz medley with the band. I was nervous about playing but he relaxed me and walked me to the bandstand. I took up his position near Bert Shorthouse – he removed my fountain pen from my breast pocket (in case it damaged the Morino bellows) and he personally announced my name and left the bandstand. Bert asked me what waltz medley and I said ‘Peggy O’Neill’. When the music ended Jimmy returned, took the accordion from me and replayed my fountain pen and asked the packed attendance for a round of applause. I will never forget his goodness to me then, and any time at his home.
Box and Fiddle
March 2001
Archie Paterson
In common, I’m sure, with many thousands of others my first experience of Jimmy Shand and his music was on the Saturday evening Scottish Dance Music programmes. That was in the early 1950’s and although there were many great bands at that time the Shand sound was, for me, always the best and most easily recognizable and has given me a life-long love of this type of music. This early inspiration from the Shand sound gave me my ambition to play Scottish Dance Music and, over the years, I have had much pleasure in doing so, firstly on the mouthorgan and then on the 3-row button box.
I first had the privilege of meeting Jimmy shand nine years ago when I went to play at the Letham Accordion & Fiddle Group. Jimmy still played at that time and it was wonderful to watch at close hand his technique on the 3-row box. It soon became obvious that there are some things that just can’t be learned. My best memory of him happened about 18 months ago. I was leaving Letham Hall after another great night. Sir Jimmy was sitting near the door waiting for his lift home and as usual I stopped to shark his hand. As I did so he pulled me towards him and said, “Aye ye’re still playin’ well son.” After hearing this I think I floated out of the door! These quiet, sincere words of encouragement from a master to a very average player are something I will never forget.
He was a true gentleman and his contribution both to the playing and composition of Scottish Dance Music is a legacy that will live on for a very long time.
Box and Fiddle
April 2001
A Knight to Remember
It was with a sense of deep sadness that the world awoke on Saturday 23rd December 2000 to find that Sir Jimmy was amongst us no longer. There can be no doubt that Jimmy, approaching his 93rd birthday, had enjoyed by any standards a ‘good innings’. Indeed after a playing career dogged latterly by ill health he had enjoyed a long and relatively problem free retirement.
It is to Anne, Jimmy Junior and David that our thoughts turn at this time as they were ever in Jimmy’s thoughts. The public face of Jimmy was concerned the accordion and the Band but in his private life it was always his family who came first. To them we extend our deepest sympathy.
There seems little point in once again reiterating Jimmy’s well documented lift story. Within very recent memory this was covered on the occasion of his 90th birthday and on his well deserved, if long overdue, knighthood.
Instead let’s hear from that group who are sadly some of the last remaining musicians to have served, at various times, as regular members of the great Shand Band – from accordionist Jim Johnstone, pianist Jimmy Scott, bass player Stan Saunders, and drummer Bobby Colgan together with his lifetime friend Dr Sandy Tulloch and BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Take the Floor’ presenter and friend Robbie Shepherd.
Jim Johnstone
I am grateful to be given this opportunity to express my own thoughts and opinions of the late Sir Jimmy Shand.
He was a totally natural musician, completely self taught, and had reached the top of his profession as a result of his popularity and the respect he gained from the general public, fellow musicians and programme makers.
Having played in Jimmy’s Band I was fortunate to experience, first hand, his style, his flair and the way he played with dancers in mind. I’m always sure that because of the ‘dancy’ way he played, the music was infectious and made it great to listen to and ultimately send the feet tapping.
Jimmy always insisted the music be kept simple. That didn’t mean he only played simple tunes, it meant the arrangement was simple so that it did not detract from the melody or the rhythm and consequently what was heard was uncluttered.
I always felt that once Jimmy put his stamp on a tune it was hard to imagine the tune being played in any other way. He had a fantastic ability in putting a selection of tunes together and picking the right tunes for a particular dance. He was extremely knowledgeable about dancing and tempos. Over the Border in parts of England he used to play at dances that had a mixture of Old Time and Scottish Country Dancing, in fact a programme that would have baffled almost any other band.
Jimmy was also a prolific composer, new melodies came easily to him. I can remember on many occasions while travelling in the band bus, he would ask for a piece of paper (the blank pages of the A.A. book being full up) and, having acquired one, he would draw five lines on the paper and write down a new tune that had just come into his head.
I toured Australia and New Zealand with the band, which was a revelation to me. I knew from childhood that Jimmy Shand was a household name but was totally unprepared for the reception we got in these countries. We played in stadiums in Melbourne and Sydney to literally thousands of people. He would open the show with ‘Bonnie Dundee’ to a cheer something akin to the famous ‘Hampden Roar’ and I can honestly say that on more than one occasion I was overcome with emotion.
It has often been said that Jimmy was a shy man. I would refute this totally as he enjoyed meeting people and would converse freely with anyone he met. He was quiet spoken and felt a wee bit uncomfortable in the ‘Showbiz’ scene (the ‘Hello Darling’ brigade). He often said to me “They’ve only got me here to put bums on seats son”.
Even though he was a very busy man he was generous with his time. He would go out of his way to see someone in hospital or play for the old folk. He had compassion and humility which no doubt came from his background, his own personal experiences.
Having received the M.B.E. some years ago it was no surprise that this honour was upgraded just over a year ago to a full Knighthood. Sir Jimmy will be remembered for the legacy he has left us of his recordings, his compositions and most of all the memory of a fine gentleman.
I am proud to say he was my friend.
Jimmy Scott
Having stood in occasionally in earlier years I joined Jimmy’s Band in 1959, having previously played with the bands of Jack Delaney, Andrew Rankine and Hamish Menzies. I stayed with him until 1963 and during most of those four years I was full time with the band.
Looking back, one of the things that strikes me was that Jimmy never told you far in advance where the band would be playing. It was almost on a week to week basis along the lines of, “We’ll be gaun doon tae London next Wednesday”, and on the way down he would tell us where we were playing that night. That in itself could come as a bombshell when you were new to the band as well. “Windsor the night” springs to mind as an example.
Not every week was busy. Occasionally we might have only one job on, but that was the exception rather than the rule, and sometimes we had a run of theatre jobs for a week in say Margate or Aberdeen, or the Festival of Scotland in the Albert Hall in London where we played every night for a week to a full house. We also did Irish Clubs in Birmingham, Leicester and Coventry where Jimmy was very popular.
I was with Jimmy and the Band on their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1961 with Kenneth McKellar, Moira Anderson, Duncan McRae and comedian Jimmy Warren, We picked up a bass player in New Zealand, if I remember correctly, who had never played Scottish dance music before but like everybody who joined the band he just seemed to fall into Jimmy’s style and he fitted in fine. The venues were always mobbed and, believe it or not, as an example we played on three consecutive nights to crowds of eight thousand in Sydney.
Obviously whether at home or abroad we did a lot of travelling and Jimmy was always good company and, contrary to the ‘dour’ image, had a great sense of humour. I’ll never forget too, about a year or more after I left the band I got a phone call from Jimmy asking me to drop in and see him. Wondering what this was about I duly called in and Jimmy explained that he had received a letter saying that the Heather Mixture series of broadcasts, probably about seventy-five in all, had been sold to an overseas radio corporation and that as part of the deal he had received a cheque for the band’s part in the programmes. With that he handed me a sizeable amount of money, my share of the cheque. I never forgot that because he could easily have kept quiet about it and I would never have been any the wiser – it was a mark of the man.
I have many happy memories from those bygone days and feel privileged to have shared the stage, and the road with Jimmy Shand.
Stan Saunders
It was either ’57 or ’58 when my wife and I were travelling back to Dollar from Cupar that the bus stopped at Strathmiglo and I noticed Jimmy coming out of Hogg’s shoe shop. He happened to see me and hopped on the bus and asked if I would play at a Country Dance in Perth City Hall two nights hence as his bass player was ill.
I had got to know Jimmy in previous years by going to many dances when he played in the area. He often played at the Cochrane Hall in Alva and Andrew Rankine’s Band, of which I was a member, would play while Jimmy Band were having their break. Jimmy was a great one for inviting players up to sit in for a couple of dances. John White was his bass player at that time and he passed on some good advice to me. When Andrew went full time in 1959 most of the band decided to stay in their regular jobs and in 1960 Jimmy asked me to join him and I was with him until 1969.
Jimmy’s fame by then, of course, meant that the Band played the length and breadth of the country and the jobs were incredibly diverse – one night a village hall, the next a Highland Ball in London – but Jimmy was totally ‘unflappable’ and took everything in his stride.
Particular highlights which spring to mind were playing with him at the Carl Allen Award ceremony televised live from the Lyceum Theatre in London, and on another occasion Jimmy Scott and I having to make a life of death taxi journey to Kings Cross to catch a midnight sleeper to Edinburgh as we were due back at work next day. Add to that the contrast of landing on a cockle beach on Barra to do a live ‘On Tour’ recording on a Saturday night and as there were no planes on a Sunday we spent the afternoon watching ‘Whisky Galore’ at the schoolmaster’s house, then playing at a dance in a Nissan hut in the evening.
The band played to a packed Albert Hall in London at a Scots Concert, did numerous engagements at Balmoral, late Festival Shows at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh and many ‘On Tour’ broadcasts. These involved visiting different towns in Scotland and Jimmy would write a tune for each venue. This he usually did in the Band bus on our way using a small board with manuscript paper on which he would write eight bars then ‘doodle’ it to Syd Chalmers to ensure it wasn’t similar to anything else.
On the first occasion I played a quickstep with Jimmy at one point I started playing four beats in the bar. He turned round and said “Jist keep it simple son”.
I think this sums up Jimmy Shand – his music was simple and uncluttered, his tempos were perfect, allowing that famous Shand ‘dunt’ to come through.
I feel privileged to have known and worked with Jimmy Shand.
Bobby Colgan
My recollection of Jimmy Shand as a bandleader brings happy memories to mind. He was an easy man to work for and the music was easy to play along with. Providing you turned up on time, sober, tidy and conducted yourself with a wee bit of decorum the job was a pleasant one.
Things that stand out in my mind relate to his kindness and concern for other people. I remember when my wife, Alison, was due to give birth to our second child and the band assembled at ‘Mucthy to embark on a tour up north. We couldn’t understand why Jimmy was taking his car as well as the Band bus. As the tour progressed Jimmy kept asking if there was any word about the birth. On the second last night we were in the Empire, Inverness and just before the second house I phoned and discovered Alison had given birth to a baby boy. I was happy to report the news to Jimmy who immediately handed me the car keys and said, “You better get away doon the road son”.
On other occasions I remember him coming to Gorebridge at my request to play for the ‘housebound’ when he brought Dave Ireland with him to play the fiddle. We also stopped once at an ‘old people’s home’ and the whole band went in and gave them a tune, after which we had a quick cup of tea, and away to the gig.
I have lasting memories of Ireland where the name Jimmy Shand was so popular. The reception Jimmy and the Band received there was tremendous. The dance halls we played in were massive and always filled to capacity. The schedule was hectic but it did not stop him from paying a visit to a home for the old folk which was run by Nuns and giving them a tune.
I also remember on the way home from that tour, Jimmy declared two Shure microphones he had bought to the Customs Officer at the airport and in keeping with the times there was duty payable. The official was in some doubt as to how much he should charge and sought advice from a senior officer who took one look at Jimmy and enquired, “Are you Jimmy Shand?” The response being affirmative he then said, “I’m told by my sister in Australia that you are going out there shortly on tour. I wonder if you would play her a request from me when you’re there?” “Surely” said Jimmy “just give me a note of her name and yours and where she’s going to be and that will be nae bother son. Now how much am I due you for the duty on these microphones?” – Customs Officer, “What microphones”.
To conclude I would like to say I am proud to have been associated with Jimmy both as a fellow musician and a friend.
Dr Sandy Tulloch
(This tribute was delivered by Sandy Tulloch at Jimmy’s funeral service on 29th December 2000)
I’m deeply aware of the honour the Shand family have given in asking me to pay a tribute to Jimmy.
I met this remarkable man over sixty years ago and during this time we became not only friends, but real ‘pals’ – there is a difference, difficult to describe but very meaningful. We had, of course, a common love of Scottish music, but as the years passed, much, much more.
We all know his history. Every national newspaper and television channel has detailed his remarkable career. Not only one, but two biographies were published during his lifetime and few people can claim such fame.
Many degrees, honours and distinctions came to him over the years culminating in a well deserved Knighthood last year.
He was known and revered the world over as the master of Scottish Dance Music but the extraordinary thing is that Jimmy never changed. He remained the same valued friend to all. I never heard an ill word spoken about him and I never heard him say a critical word about anybody. His door was open to the world and with Anne’s help you were always sure of a welcome.
He had a phenomenal memory and would probably recall where and when he met you – even down to addresses in far flung places. All of us in ‘Muchty and Letham knew the helping hand was always there and you only had to ask to get his help to entertain the elderly, the sick and above all the disabled. He was a prolific composer of excellent Scottish music. The titles of the three hundred and more tunes read like a list of close friends and memorable occasions.
Contrary to appearances he had a fine sense of humour – he only looked serious when he was playing – and he was an excellent after dinner speaker.
He had many other talents. In his younger days he was a great lover of speed. Fast motor cars (I remember a green Jaguar in particular), a T.T. Racing Norton motorbike and a speedboat. His old friend and driver Andy Gow could tell some hair raising tales!
Jimmy was keen on his garden and his workshop. He had a particular love (and skill) in carving models of traditional fishing boats and sailing yachts. Two or three of us helped him with one such model only last summer.
But above all he was a family man and was blessed with a family who sincerely loved him in return. Our hearts go out to them, especially Anne and David. Jimmy’s life will continue to be a shining example to us all. Although justly proud of his achievements and his Knighthood he remained modest and steadfast at all times.
I’m going to close with a line from the Canterbury Tales where Chaucer describes one of his characters. He wrote “He was a very perfect Gentle Knight”.
Robbie Shepherd
(This tribute was delivered by Robbie Shepherd at Jimmy’s funeral service on 29th December 2000)
We meet, family an’ freens, frae aa the airts. Freens all and admirers of a man with a unique talent coupled with a hameower touch.
It was Jock Turpie more than sixty years ago, (Jock a local compere) who wrote :
“He’s playing tae the auld folk, yet a million fans he’s got,
Whaurever there’s a wireless set, whaurever there’s a Scot.
The pensioner, his crookit stick, becomes a magic wand,
As he chaps the flair and whistles, keeping time tae Jimmy Shand.
As one who’s within sight o’ the pensioner status now, I can vouch in the intervening years it wisna jist auld mannies that chappit the floor keeping time.
I recall my childhood days wi’ a whole Saturday evening on the wireless – the football, the Dance Music, the MacFlannels and the Old Music Hall.
This would be my first recollection of the name of Jimmy Shand and the follow-up would see my dad home fae his monthly visits to the big toon wi’ the latest 78 o’ Shand, Cameron, Rennie or Wilson.
Mt first meeting was when I was an aspiring compere, somewhat wet behind the lugs, and I had to introduce Jimmy onto the stage. Knocking shyly on his dressing room door, I was invited in wi’ a, “Come awa’ in son” and I said I thought I should introduce the first tune as well as the household name.
“Ah weel, ye micht hae some job there son” as he slowly read out the pipe march title. Some job! I memorized it ower and ower again and still have it imprintit on my mind some forty-five years later. It was “Dr Ross’s 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering”!
My main contact began when I started broadcasting and I’ll be forever grateful for his encouragement and his ready help when I had yet another query I wanted an answer to. Advice too, given with aa the sincerity and genuine interest that was the makkin’ o’ the man.
Countless folks, aye Esme and I included, have been touched with his quiet visits when a helpie-up, a lift, was needed. Story after story comes out. Many here today will vouch for the tremendous charitable work he undertook without any fuss – nae fanfare o’ trumpets.
But to his contribution to our proud heritage.
I place Jimmy alongside Niel Gow as the two main influences in the history of Scottish Dance Music, and both musicians are now side by side in portrait form in the National Gallery.
Both came from a rural background and Gow came to prominence in the mid 1700’s after a spell when dancing had been banned by the kirk as being promiscuous. Gow’s playing and compositions for Society Balls became the stepping stone to the dance music we know today – only without an accordion.
Enter Jimmy Shand this past century, who took the humble bothy instrument into play, upgraded to his own specification Shand Morino and today we find most bands led by the accordion.
It’s simple music, oor music, and Jimmy was the one to keep it on the right rails with impeccable timing and a sound that never changed, irrespective of who was in the band. “I jist play to the feet o’ the best dancers in the hall” he would say modestly.
Simple music? Try Tellin’ that to some o’ the folk who bought accordions off him whilst he was with Forbes of Dundee. “Play by sight the first night”.
Like the young farm lad who had made a down payment on a Black Dot Double Ray from a stand of Forbes at an Angus Show.
On the monthly payments drying up, Jimmy was dispatched to the fairm loon’s bothy to take back the box. Jimmy duly obliged, when he was asked to play a tune on it before he took it away.
The moment o’ truth arrived for oor fairm billie for, as he handed ower the box, he suddenly spat oot – “Ach ye’re just a lot o’ bloody swicks onywye. Play at Sicht the Same Nicht? Weel, I’ve hid the damnt thing twa ‘eers an I canna play it yet!”
He was not the only frustrated musician when the sound of Shand was around.
As an ambassador for Scotland with his down-to-earth couthy approach, there can have been few finer in the twentieth century than Jimmy Shand.
Yes, a man unique in his field. A man, his music and, most importantly, his family.
The music of Jimmy Shand will live on and on and specially at this time - we think on the Hogmanay parties worldwide when memories of home come from the recordings “Don’t sit on my Jimmy Shand’s” and the strains of “Welcome Christmas Morning”.
We salute you Jimmy. You have placed our music on a pedestal which is equal to any. For that we’ll be forever in your debt.
Thank you.
My thanks to Jim, Jimmy, Stan, Bobby, Sandy and Robbie for their contributions and to Jim Murphy, Stan Saunders, Angus Oliver, Fergus Maule and Jack Cooper for the loan of photographs supporting this tribute.
Since Jimmy retired from public performance more than twenty years ago, many of the present day Scottish Dance Music enthusiasts will never have had an opportunity to have heard the Shand Band live or indeed to have met Jimmy himself. We need not worry however, his legacy lives on in many aspects of our present day Scottish Dance Bands although one thing is for certain, we shall not see his like again in out lifetimes.
Charlie Todd
Dear Sir
It was with deep sadness that we all learned of the death of Jimmy Shand M.B.E, MA, on the morning of Saturday, 23rd December 2000. Sir Jimmy was a legend in his lifetime and became a world-known name throughout the years, having toured so many countries and met so many people, who enjoyed his immaculate style and timing. There are stories of crowds of fans blocking the streets in Aberdeen, New York, Dublin and Sydney, to name but a few places he visited.
There will be millions of tributes, but as a fairly close friend for over 40 years, I have been privileged to attend many of the functions, public and private, organized by the Shand family, and these are the intimate memories of Sir Jimmy Shand, which, fortunately I, along with others, will be able to treasure for life.
Sir Jimmy also composed many tunes, which are played regularly by other musicians at Accordion and Fiddle Clubs, and perhaps one of his earlier compositions, ‘Welcome Christmas Morning’ would seem quite appropriate at this time.
The saddest day was the funeral service at Auchtermuchty on Friday, 29th December, when Sir Jimmy was laid to rest. It was nice to see so many people paying their last respects to Sir Jimmy, in the church, at the graveside and at Letham Cillage Hall. The Rev. Ann Fraser conducted an excellent service and this was supported by great tributes from Dr Sandy Tulloch ( a lifelong friend and fellow musician) and Robbie Shepherd.
I am confident that the real friends and fans will give every support to the family at this sad time.
I also enclose a copy of a poem composer many years ago by a friend of Sir Jimmy, Jock Turpie, and I’m sure all will agree it is quite appropriate.
John McDonald (Kirkcaldy)
The Laddie frae East Wemyss
By Jock Turpie
The Wemyss has aye been famous for its castles and its lairds,
Its ruins and past histories o’ kail and ither yairds,
But still mair famous it’s become, admired throughout the land,
For in the Wemyss was born and bred a chap ca’ed Jimmy Shand.
I met him at the puir hoose, aye twenty years ago,
A striplin’ he wis awfy blate ans sweer to mak’ his bow,
But on the stage he trampit, man, the fingerin’ wis grand,
I could see the hallmark stampit on that laddie Jimmy Shand.
He’s playing tae the auld folk, yet a million fans he’s got,
Whaurever there’s a wireless set, whaurever there’s a Scot.
The pensioner, his crookit stick, becomes a magic wand,
As he chaps the flair and whistles, keeping time tae Jimmy Shand.
He has scores o’ imitators, but they dinna hae the lilt,
They remind you o’ a piper on the mairch without his kilt’
But tae him it’s a’ sae simple, and it tickles up the gland,
When ye hear auld ‘Kate Dalrymple’ introducin’ Jimmy Shand.
So let’s forget oor troubles, nae matter hoo we feel,
Pit on a record lassie, and we’ll hae the Eightsome Reel,
Life’s no the problem it wid seem, if we could just understand,
So tak’ your partners and bless The Wemyss fur gie’n us Jimmy Shand.
Box and Fiddle
February 2001
Last month’s tribute to Sir Jimmy Shand has inspired some of our readers to write in with their own memories of the great man. We thank you for your letters, and for your photographs. We do not have room for all of the photographs here, but are keeping them on file for future issues.
Bob Brown (Reading)
Reading Jimmy Scott and Stan Saunders’ to Jimmy Shand in the February B&F brought back memories of the 50’s. They mentioned the Festival of Scotland in London at the Royal Albert Hall. I was the Stage Manager for the Festival, which was compered by Andy Stewart. I had the privilege of meeting Jimmy Shand, making sure that he had everything he wanted (which was nothing!) “Dinnae worry aboot us son, the boys will sort their own chairs”.
At the end of the Festival, I spoke to Jimmy about the great Festival we had just witnessed and I mentioned that it had always been my dream to dance to a live Jimmy Shand Band. At the time I was Secretary of the Reading and District Caledonian society and he said ‘would you like us to play at your Annual Ball- when is it?’ I told him the date five months hence but I doubted that we could afford him. He answered that they were available on that date and would play for £100. I gulped (I was on £380 per annum salary at the time!) but said okay, if you give me your address, I will confirm it all in writing. He said, “I never write letters or answer them. Don’t worry son, we’ll be there.”
Yes, they came on the correct day at the correct time at Reading Town Hall and I spent that evening in bed with flu! When Jimmy was told, he said that the lad must be awful disappointed – could he visit him the next morning. He was persuaded not to visit due to the infectious nature of the illness. What a man!
Jim Cook (Windygates)
Regarding the Jimmy Sand story, my own personal association with Jimmy has only been since becoming involved with Buttonkey A&F Club, of which he was Life President, over the past five years, which were unfortunately his declining years. However, my association with his music has been for a much longer time, when his dance records have been taken all over the world over a period of some 25 years with my wife and I whilst working in many overseas locations. Wherever we went, from the remotest areas of West Africa, to the islands of the Caribbean, to Guyana, and to the Middle East in the Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia, we formed Scottish Country Dance groups and danced to none other than the dance music of Jimmy Shand. In my only too short, person-to-person, association with Sir Jimmy Shand, I was always made welcome in his home, he had a delightful personality, and I found him always to be so friendly and a real gentleman.
Dr Bernard Dixon O.B.E.
None of the spine-tingling moments I’ve enjoyed at classical concerts over the years can quite compare with my rapture on first hearing Jimmy Shand and his Band playing live. The venue was the Baths Hall, Darlington, and I had gone to dance. Yet I spent much of the evening close to the stage, marvelling at the natural musicianship, distinctive lilt, rock solid tempi and tight ensemble playing of Jimmy, Syd Chalmers, Norman Whitelaw and the rest of the band. This was pure magic – a quantum leap from the harsh recording quality of many of the band’s early 78s. Later, in Leeds in 1958, I listened for the first time to Jimmy performing solo, when he accompanied Highland dancer Bobby Watson. The combination of precision and élan as he played ‘Whistling Rufus’ and ‘The Irish Washerwoman’ was electrifying. This was also the moment when I discovered Jimmy’s distinctive, indeed unique, skill in decorating the melody with grace notes, particularly in waltzes and 2/4 marches. What a pity there are so few commercial recordings of him playing unaccompanied in his middle and later years.
Between those two events, I had got to know the maestro and had warmed to his modest, kindly nature. One memory is of the first occasion when I played with my own band in the interval at a Jimmy Shand dance. I asked him afterwards what he thought of our efforts. His reply (“Aye, son, steady”) was both encouraging and wonderfully enigmatic.
Then there was Jimmy’s no-nonsense response when I was asked to book the band for a ball organised by Darlington Burns Association. Tiresomely two other locals societies had objected to the proposed event, which they saw as competition. I felt obliged, therefore, to tell Jimmy that they had both tried to dissuade the Burns Association from going ahead. “Don’r worry, son.” Jimmy said, “I’ll play for anybody.”
Robin Ellis (Bromley, Kent)
Firstly many congratulations on the cover of the recent B&F. ‘The Empty chair’ was so very, very appropriate and the picture on the back cover must be one of the best ever taken of the maestro. I felt that the thoughts and reminiscences of those who played with him were so right. It was good to see Stan Saunders and Jimmy Scott were included and interesting to note that they both remembered the Albert Hall concerts. We had about 5,500 in the audience every night and a few days later a Ball in The Rainbow Rooms, Derry & Thoms at which there were some 1,200 dancers. I was one of the Festival of Scotland organising Committee and remember so well Jimmy’s easy going attitude and ability to deliver exactly what was required without any fuss whatsoever. About 40 years ago I was also one of those who, when Jimmy came to London was invited to sit in with the band for a number of dances. I was ever grateful for his kindness as this encouraged me to start my career as a Scottish dance band leader, which continues to this day, and I might add that I am still enjoying it immensely. Those were certainly ‘Great Days’ which I doubt very much could be repeated today. When Jimmy retired from playing for dancing I lost touch until one day a few years ago I visited Letham Village Hall. There he was, just the same as ever. I think I can honestly say he was one of the nicest people I have ever met.
Renwick MacArthur
I first met Jimmy Shand at a dance in Lockerbie Town Hall during the war while I was home on leave from the Navy. A friend of mine, Jackie Wilson, was playing his accordion during the interval and, as Angus Fitchet had kindly loaned me his old black fiddle, I was able to join him.
Near the end of our session I became aware of someone standing just off-stage and, as I got up to leave, I found it was the Maestro himself. He turned to me and said, “If you’re all right for the Dashing White Sergeant laddie, just sit still and we’ll let the wee man have another fag.”
It possibly didn’t mean much to the Great Man, but for me it is a lifetime memory.
Wilma Shorthouse (Dunfermline)
Bert was a member of the ‘Shand Band’ from September 1957 to September 1965, then with more BBC ‘On Tour’ programmes in the summer of 1966. This at a time when the band was at its busiest and most popular. Theatre, radio, TV shows and records on top of the dances the length and breadth of the isles and also the Australian and New Zealand tours have all been well documented so I don’t know if I can add anything there.
Bert was the ‘young one’ and the extra one to the established band but was quickly accepted and fitted in. Coming from Fife, as was Jimmy then, the two of them often went in Jimmy’s car while the bus left with the others from Dundee. Particularly going north or west it saved Jimmy some time. Because of this he was often in my home and I found him a kindly, concerned man, always the same and unassuming. Bert and Jimmy were good friends and Jimmy would often have Bert playing duets with him on radio programmes or ask him to play solo. It was only Jimmy’s decision to become semi-retired and Bert’s need to be fully employed that made them split but still they would play together at local charity jobs.
Another occasion was when Bert was playing regularly in Glenrothes Centre for afternoon tea dances and it was coming near Christmas time. The Council arranged for Jimmy to switch on the town’s Christmas lights from the Centre. Jimmy did so, then joined Bert on the bandstand and played there for the rest of the afternoon. This was shown on BBC TV at 6.30 news time.
Ian L. Smith
In the beginning was the word, and the word was God. In six days he made the Heavens and Earth and all therein. On the seventh he rested but was not happy. He saw his people had sad faces. So he pondered, and thought long and hard, then smiled.
On the eighth day he madeth a fiddle, and from the multitude a man came forth and, placing it on his shoulder, he began to play and the people threw down their tools and sat down an listened and God was pleased.
On the ninth day he madeth a huge fiddle. It was as tall as a man and as fat as a woman. Again a man steppeth forth and began to play and God saw his people were smiling. On the tenth day he madeth a drum and a man came forth with two sticks and he kicked the drum and mightily hit it with his sticks and the people stood up smiling and clapping and stampeth their feet. At this the animals, the sheeps, goats and asses ran to the top of the hill and were afraid.
On the eleventh day God he madeth an accordion and a man came out and winding his arms round it he played so sweetly that a wondrous thing happened. A man tooketh a woman and with arms around each other they twisted and turned and twirled and were happy. Faster and faster and the woman shrieked with happiness and the man, he laughed and shouted. Another man took another woman, then another and another, till all were dancing.
Even the animals on the hill were happy with twitching tails and nodding heads, the sheep they baaaed, the goats they bleated and the asses they brayed.
When God saw all this he was happy. Even he stood up and stampeth his feet.
At last he reached his arms to Heaven and in a loud voice he cried out “Stop!” As his people faced him he saw his good works. “go forth from this place and spread the word that music is the Spice of Life. Take your animals and go in peace.”
Here ends the Gospel of Shand.
Noel Tuohy
I first met Jimmy Shand Snr when on tour in the early 60s. We traveled all over just to hear and meet him. He was a gentleman and was more than willing to speak to us. Because of these meetings I learned of Auchtermuchty and made my first of about four visits to him at his home. We would talk and play together and he would point out ways of improving my playing. Like for instance using the F sharp in ‘Jackson’s Jig’ (second note) on the Press rather than the Draw of the bellows. On stage Jimmy perhaps seemed to have ‘no personality’ but this was, I believe, due to the tremendous concentration he put into his playing.
In the 60s Hohner ran competitions for accordion and harmonica here in Ireland with a different venue each year. I entered my six-piece band in 1963, held in Limerick. We won the Hohner Shield for Ceili Music. We defended this All-Ireland title on four occasions - 1964 Galway, 1965 Dublin, 1966 Dundalk and 1967 cork. Jimmy was proud of his ‘pupil’s’ success in winning the shield five times.
In 1966 Jimmy did a dance in Shanagolden, twenty miles from Limerick. As before, we traveled to meet him. There was a local band on first and while waiting Jimmy would speak to us and do the waltz with my sister. His band would take the bandstand at 11 p.m., it was a 9 to 1 a.m. dance. On this occasion Jimmy came from the bandstand at about midnight and approached me. He suggested I play a waltz medley with the band. I was nervous about playing but he relaxed me and walked me to the bandstand. I took up his position near Bert Shorthouse – he removed my fountain pen from my breast pocket (in case it damaged the Morino bellows) and he personally announced my name and left the bandstand. Bert asked me what waltz medley and I said ‘Peggy O’Neill’. When the music ended Jimmy returned, took the accordion from me and replayed my fountain pen and asked the packed attendance for a round of applause. I will never forget his goodness to me then, and any time at his home.
Box and Fiddle
March 2001
Archie Paterson
In common, I’m sure, with many thousands of others my first experience of Jimmy Shand and his music was on the Saturday evening Scottish Dance Music programmes. That was in the early 1950’s and although there were many great bands at that time the Shand sound was, for me, always the best and most easily recognizable and has given me a life-long love of this type of music. This early inspiration from the Shand sound gave me my ambition to play Scottish Dance Music and, over the years, I have had much pleasure in doing so, firstly on the mouthorgan and then on the 3-row button box.
I first had the privilege of meeting Jimmy shand nine years ago when I went to play at the Letham Accordion & Fiddle Group. Jimmy still played at that time and it was wonderful to watch at close hand his technique on the 3-row box. It soon became obvious that there are some things that just can’t be learned. My best memory of him happened about 18 months ago. I was leaving Letham Hall after another great night. Sir Jimmy was sitting near the door waiting for his lift home and as usual I stopped to shark his hand. As I did so he pulled me towards him and said, “Aye ye’re still playin’ well son.” After hearing this I think I floated out of the door! These quiet, sincere words of encouragement from a master to a very average player are something I will never forget.
He was a true gentleman and his contribution both to the playing and composition of Scottish Dance Music is a legacy that will live on for a very long time.
Box and Fiddle
April 2001