2000
Pam Wilkie
(1927 - 2016)
Pam, born, raised and still resident in Perth, was taught piano by a Miss Pratt in the Fair City back in the 1930s. Her first foray into the male-dominated world of the band scene happened immediately after the war, when she joined Bob MacKay’s small dance band, which gigged in and around Perth, for a couple of years. But word of her abilities got round and at the age of barely 20 she was approached by Ian Powrie in 1947 and asked to join his up-and-coming band. In later years in the company of Dave Barclay on string bass and Arthur Easson on drums they were to be widely regarded as one of the finest rhythm sections on the scene. When Ian emigrated in late 1966 Pam continued with his successor Jimmy Blue. Spells with other top bands such as Jim Johnstone and John Ellis were to follow. Pam’s skills as an accompanist to either song or fiddle are also legendary and she is still sought out by young bandleaders to bring her special magic to their bands for recordings.
Pam Wilkie
(1927 - 2016)
Pam, born, raised and still resident in Perth, was taught piano by a Miss Pratt in the Fair City back in the 1930s. Her first foray into the male-dominated world of the band scene happened immediately after the war, when she joined Bob MacKay’s small dance band, which gigged in and around Perth, for a couple of years. But word of her abilities got round and at the age of barely 20 she was approached by Ian Powrie in 1947 and asked to join his up-and-coming band. In later years in the company of Dave Barclay on string bass and Arthur Easson on drums they were to be widely regarded as one of the finest rhythm sections on the scene. When Ian emigrated in late 1966 Pam continued with his successor Jimmy Blue. Spells with other top bands such as Jim Johnstone and John Ellis were to follow. Pam’s skills as an accompanist to either song or fiddle are also legendary and she is still sought out by young bandleaders to bring her special magic to their bands for recordings.