Who is Eric Delaney?  If you were around in the 1950’s and 1960’s, it is unlikely that you will not have at least heard of the famous drummer and showman who would come to be known as Dynamic Delaney, in fact, some of you may even still have an original vinyl record or two of his band.  Although it has been said on more than one occasion that he is the greatest jazz big band drummer to come out of Britain, not so many of the younger generation know who he is.  Eddie Sammons has made a major contribution to ending this.

Eddie Sammons, a British author who lives in Spain, is also a great fan and expert on all things jazz and big band.  In 1997, he caught wind of the fact that Delaney had moved to play a residency in Benidorm.  Delaney’s time on the Costa Blanca became much longer than might have been expected, so as time passed, Sammons took the plunge of approaching Delaney about an article for a jazz magazine which soon evolved into a book.

If you have seen Delaney on stage, you will have witnessed a remarkable, explosive character, a showman through and through.  It might surprise you to know that offstage, he is a  very private person, and the last thing he would want is a biography which followed the usual format, which would include lots of private details about his life, and a tabloid style attempt to analyse his personality.  Delaney is and always has been focused on one thing, being a drummer, his mother could see this before little Eric was even taking his first steps!

This book is described as bits and pieces from the life of a living legend as told to and assembled by Eddie Sammons.  It is very much a well put together scrap book, and the first part of the book maps out what Delaney has done from the time he was born in 1924 to the present day.  Pages and pages of fascinating information and illustrations.  This includes stories about how Delaney lost the top part of the middle finger on his left hand only weeks before the debut of his own band.  What about his famous revolving drum platform sticking.  He knows what to do to get noticed, that’s why he paid New Musical Express to do a front page feature on him in 1955.  Do you remember Woolworth’s own Embassy record label?, the same company that produced this label also issued his self funded recordings on the Mercury label.  It is interesting that Delaney’s band did not follow the traditional big band line up, five trumpets instead of four, four saxes instead of five, and no trombones.  Don’t times change, in 1956, one of his singers was Dean Raymond, who also played for Arsenal!

Delaney’s band has been resident as far as the Bahamas and as close as Blackpool.  You may have seen him in Working Mens’ Clubs or Butlins, a major concert hall or Pontins.  Brass Band enthusiasts may even have seen him with Blackpool Brass at their thirtieth anniversary concert in 1995.

This book also contains articles written by Delaney, including a very interesting one from the fifties about this new music called Rock’n’Roll.  There is a section with tributes and anecdotes from his friends and family.  There is also a fascinating section with contributions from those who have worked with or been influenced by Delaney.  These include well known artistes like Kenny Ball, Elkie Brooks and the late Don Lusher, and there are some less well known, like me for example!

Eric Delaney, nearly 84, and still performing.  It was not that long ago that I saw him at the Bridgwater Hall in Manchester with Rae McVae and the Glenn Miller Orchestra, doing a thirty minute feature.  He still features at the famous Wigan Jazz Festival with the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra.  Keep an eye out for him, well worth seeing, and if you want to read about him, here are the details.

Eric Delaney at The Talk Of The Town Benidorm  January 2004

Eric Delaney

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