2001
Bill Wilkie MBE
Bill, the youngest of four, was born at 21 King Street in Perth in 1922. His father, a self-employed tailor, played traditional fiddle and, while working in Aberdeen for a time, got to know Scott Skinner, attending several of his concerts. When he was about 4 years old, his mum brought home his first mouth-organ and the musical urge and talent showed even at that tender age. It wasn’t long before he had mastered most of his father’s repertoire and his first musical experience was on this instrument with The Bridgend Melody Boys. Bill progressed to the piano accordion and was tutored by Mr Moonie and later Dr Sarafin in Perth. He practised like fury and in 1938 entered the first Festival in Dundee, taking top place in his class. During his wartime service he toured India and Europe with the Ralph Reader Gang Show latterly in the company of Peter Sellers. It was on 30th September 1950 that Bill ran the first of sixty Perth Festivals and in time his variety concerts were to become legendary.
Bill Wilkie MBE
Bill, the youngest of four, was born at 21 King Street in Perth in 1922. His father, a self-employed tailor, played traditional fiddle and, while working in Aberdeen for a time, got to know Scott Skinner, attending several of his concerts. When he was about 4 years old, his mum brought home his first mouth-organ and the musical urge and talent showed even at that tender age. It wasn’t long before he had mastered most of his father’s repertoire and his first musical experience was on this instrument with The Bridgend Melody Boys. Bill progressed to the piano accordion and was tutored by Mr Moonie and later Dr Sarafin in Perth. He practised like fury and in 1938 entered the first Festival in Dundee, taking top place in his class. During his wartime service he toured India and Europe with the Ralph Reader Gang Show latterly in the company of Peter Sellers. It was on 30th September 1950 that Bill ran the first of sixty Perth Festivals and in time his variety concerts were to become legendary.