“KEIGHLEY is apparently making a reputation for producing expert players on the piano-accordion,” observed the Keighley News in 1936.
It was referring to young groups like this Rialto Harmonica and Accordion Band, pictured when they featured in a concert at the Temperance Hall that September.
The pianist was Arthur Oakes and the rest (from left) were Jack Nicholson, Charlie Johnson, Maurice Nicholson, Billy Tallent and Billy Hensman. They were all aged under 16.
Jack Nicholson, Charlie Johnson and Billy Hensman, together with Bernard Reilly, also formed the Four Hensman Boys and won third prize in a radio talent discovery contest organised by Carroll R Levis at the New Victoria Cinema in Bradford.
This was supposed to lead to a trip to London to broadcast later in 1936, although, as the late Mr Hensman recalled, “the nearest we ever got was a sound recording in the BBC studio at Woodhouse Lane in Leeds”.
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