Blind from birth, much admired jazz pianist and piano accordion player, Billy Clowes, was born in 1930.
Billy worked a great deal with Jack Harrison and was great friends with Jack, Jill and Ray. Jack took Billy on a tandem bike down the huge hill from King’s Park down to Perth so he could feel what it was like to ride a bike. Jack reminisced that not everyone would hire Billy for gigs as, being blind, he required transport, assistance to the bathroom and food and drinks provided for him.
Jack and Marcia enjoyed holidays at the Clowes house at Palm Beach, near Safety Bay.
Jody and Jack Harrison visited Billy in his retirement. Billy had a huge collection of recordings all carefully labelled in braille.
1948
Variety Show
Wooroloo Hospital Queen contest will be officially opened by His Excellency, Lieut Governor Sir James Mitchell at a variety concert to be held at the Ambassadors
Theatre tomorrow, Sunday, July 18, at 3 pm. Local artists on the programme include pianists Henry Cochrane and Billy Clowes, Jack Harrison and his Swing Quartette, entertainers Dave Howard and Coral Gunning and songsters Maurice Jaffey, Dawn Hack and Betty Hatfield.
Mirror Saturday 17 July 1948 page 15
BLIND BOY AIMS TO LEAD BAND
Every afternoon at the Braille ‘ Society office in William-st, an 18-year-old youth learns economics and history. Study is hard for most young people; but it is harder for him. He is blind. And, he is not particularly interested in history or economics. His ambition is to lead a swing band. The youth is Bill Clowes, of the Bedford Hotel, Perth. Although he was able to ride his own bicycle to school when he was a small boy, it was not long before an ailment left him blind. Despite his handicap he has already started on the road to success. On Friday he began a season with a swing pianist with Perth’s Tivoli Theatre. Bill got his chance when he won a radio contest recently. Bill was taught to play the piano by pianist Henry Cochran.
BOND swing pianist Bill Clowes (18) who despite his handicap is one rung up the ladder to musical success.
Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 – 1955), Wednesday 22 September 1948, page 4
1949
Swing Show Thursday 23 June 1949
Organised by A.B.C.’s Dave Howard on Thursday evening at the Burt Memorial Hall from 7.15 to 7.45 p.m. was attended by a mixed crowd of more than 300, who thoroughly appreciated the program broadcast over WF.
The four bands which took part were as follows: WA Jazz Group (a Dixieland outfit), the Jack Harrison Quartet, Harry Bluck’s ABC Rhythmettes and Sammy Sharp’s 10 piece outfit.
Among the dance band fans saw Dorothy McMeikan, of Nedlands and Joan Bullmore also of the Nedlands district. A family group was present in Judy Grace and brothers Don and Doug of Mt. Lawley, who were discussing the show with Barbara Swift of Nedlands. Visitor Margaret Jacobs of Narrogin noticed chatting with Betty and Bill Clowes of Perth and Yvonne Bell of Bassendean. Ardent swing fan and record collector Ann Poynton, of Nedlands was one of many who thought that there should be more of this type of show. This is the first occasion in which a program has been presented by local bands over the air in this State, and it should be a forerunner to others along the same lines.
The Mirror Saturday 25 June 1949 page 15
Accent On Boans Ball
Rhythm accent this week is on Boans Ball at the Embassy, where 1200 happy people ‘went to town’ in a celebrative. air. It seemed to be the ball of the season, such was the free-and-easy atmosphere prevailing.
At the Embassy on Monday night, mid the most gay and colourful decorations seen at any ball this year, 1,200 happy people went to Boans Staff Ball. In lemon lace, saw Val Kift Of Swanbourne dancing with South Fremantle footballer E. Eriksson, who hails from the Manchester department. A Mr. and Mrs. floorside table party included Messrs and Mesdames Les Thompson (nee Phil Hayward), Colin Woods, Jack McAlinden and the Arthur Stanleys …. Been doing a spot of shuffling June Podger, of Belmont, Pam Keyser and Charmain Williams, both of Inglewood . . . Couldn’t help remarking upon Boy Coates doing a trifle of skylarking during supper interval quickstep …. In the cabaret section was invited to a table party shared by Nita Taylor and Bill Allen, of Boans ‘ (Nita, attractively dressed In pink inclined Candle striped taffeta off the shoulder), Shirley Capper, Maidavale, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Owens and Mr. and Mrs: George Redman.
Swing Show organised by teenager’s ‘ Dave Howard on Thursday evening at the Burt Memorial Hall from 7.15 to 7.45 p.m. was attended by a mixed crowd of
more than 300, who thoroughly appreciated the program broadcast over WF. The four bands which took part were as follows: WA Jazz Group (a Dixieland outfit), the Jack Harrison Quartet, Harry Bluck’s ABC Rhythmettes and Sammy Sharp’s 10piece outfit.Among Among the dance band fans saw Dorothy McMeikan, of Nedlands and Joan Bullmore also of the Nedlands district … A family group was present in Judy Grace and brothers Don and Doug of Mt. Lawley, who were discussing the show with Barbara Swift of Nedlands . . . Visitor Margaret Jacobs of Narrogin noticed chatting with Betty and Bill Clowes of Perth and Yvonne Bell of Bassendean . . . Ardent swing fan and record collector Ann Poynton, of Nedlands was one of many who thought that there should be more of this type of show . . . This is the first occasion in which a program has been presented by local bands over the air in this State, and it should be a forerunner to others along the same lines.
Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 25 June 1949, page 15
“COMMAND PERFORMANCE”
Capitol Theatre Next Sunday Night (Sun 2 Oct)
In old of Legacy War Orphans’ Appeal.
Dick Fair, of Amateur Hour fame.
Anew McMaster and Company.
Gaved, Chinese Magician.
Albert Chappelle.
Billy Edwards and The Specialty Harmonists.
Y.A.L. Boys in Jack Anstey’s “Cuban Fair.”
Jack Harrison’s Swing Quartette.
The Wrightsons.
Betty Whittaker and Phil. Moran.
Wally Hadley.
Laurie Croisette of London.
Billy Clowes, Blind Pianist.
Charlie Court.
Cliff Adams.
Pamela Flower.
Phyllis Blott and Winnie Walker, Accompanists.
Caledonian Pipe Bond.
ANEW McMASTER, Producer.
Lounge 10/-, Front Stalls 7/-, Circle 5/-, Back Stalls 3/-.
The West Australian Wednesday 28 September 1949 page 30
CONCERT AT CAPITOL (Sunday 2 Oct 1949)
Good Response To Legacy Drive
The Legacy Club’s appeal for £ 10,000 benefited to the amount of £650 from the “Command Performance” on Sunday night at the Capitol Theatre. It was announced that in the two days since the appeal was launched, £1,500 had been donated and that an anonymous person had offered to donate £100 if five others would contribute a similar sum. The performance was compered by Mr. Dick Pair, of “Australia Hour” fame, produced by Mr. Michael Eustace and contributed to by star artists, all of whom gave their services free. The theatre was packed in all parts. Mr. Fair was piped on to the stage by the W.A. Caledonian Pipe Band. Mr. F. Gaved opened the programme with entertaining feats of magic, after which Mr. Charles Court (cornetist) rendered two items. Miss Pamela Flower’s contributions were followed by dance items by Mr. and Mrs. Wrightson and two sisters, Regina and Janina. Mr. Laurie Croisette, a London baritone, made his first appearance in Australia with two numbers and a guitar selection. Mr. Billy Edwards’s Specialty Harmonists (Messrs. L. Hancock, G. Griffiths, W. Frankish and L Richardson) were heard in three choruses, and Jack Harrison’s Swing Quartette was then heard. A male ballet of Y.A.L boys gave an exhibition of dancing and tap dancing. There was sustained applause for the blind pianist, Mr. Billy Clowes and Bette Whittaker and Phil Morgan. Mr. Albert Chappelle (baritone) had to respond to an encore. A banjo solo by Wally Hadley was also included. The accompanists were Mrs. N. W. Freemantle, Misses Phyllis Blott and Joan Drede and Mr. Billy Edwards.
The West Australian Tuesday 4 October 1949 page 6
SUCCESS IN ADELAIDE
Blind W.A. Pianist Wins Contest A 19-year-old Perth youth who has been blind from birth and who had barely touched a key on a piano until about five years ago, easily won an all Australian “Amateur Hour” radio contest conducted by Dick Fair in Adelaide recently. He is William Clowes, son of a well-known hotelkeeper. The piece that he played was “Dark Eyes.” On Thursday night Mr. W. Clowes, sen., who is well known in football circles, was told by telegram that his son had won the contest, gaining more than twice as many votes as any of his opponents. The talent quest had attracted nine candidates from South Australia in addition to the West Australian candidate, who polled 7.161 votes compared with 3.304 for his nearest opponent. Bill Clowes, jun:, played at the “command performance” concert in aid of the Legacy Club at the Capitol Theatre recently and the reception that he was given induced his father to take hint by air to South Australia for an audition for the “Amateur Hour” competition. He so impressed the auditors that he was placed on the programme that night. The young pianist was originally self-taught, though he has since received lessons from a professional pianist. lie has no knowledge of Braille music, and what knowledge of music he has acquired has been entirely by ear. “I’m afraid I would not be much use in a dance band,” he said yesterday, “but I would like to make a career in radio.”
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 29 October 1949, page 12
BLIND PIANIST WINS WITH 7160 VOTES
One of the highest votes given to an individual artist on the Amateur Hour for some time went to Billy Clowes, a nineteen-year old blind pianist, who at Adelaide on October 13 gave his own arrangement of Dark Eyes. He had polled 1896 votes by nine o’clock (and he was sixth on the programme), sufficient evidence of the way in which he went over. His final total was 7160. Dick Fair heard him play in Perth (his home town) when the Hour’s compere made a flying visit there for a Legacy function, and was so impressed that he arranged for his visit to Adelaide to appear in the programme.
ABC Weekly: https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-890736639
Billy Clowes had jumped into first place in the voting by 9 o’clock. This was an outstanding achievement, polling 1896 votes in half an hour. Billy is a very competent pianist, and is now learning to play the banjo. He arranges his own music for this, too. Billy Clowes, watched by Dick Fair and Mr. W. Clowes, his father, who came with him from Perth to appear on the Hour He was born blind, and can only learn by listening to music, then re-producing it in his own way.
ABC Weekly Vol. 11 No. 45 (5 November 1949)
ARTISTS AT BIG CONCERT
Saturday 3 December 1949
Here are a few more items of interest about the Grand Concert to be held in His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday December 3 in aid of the United Nations Children’s Appeal. In addition to the performers already mentioned, Billy Clowes, Billy Clowes, the blind West Australian pianist who won the Amateur Hour polling a few weeks ago will appear. Also you will see Don Vicker’s piano-accordion group, the George Everson banjo band and Glen Matson and his guitar quartet. The Kindergarten Union trainees will present a mime called “The Tall, Tall Castle” and well known personality Jack Harrison will also be featured.
An item of particular interest will be the appearance of Mr. A. Croisette, Hillbilly artist. Mr Croisette, an Englishman, has been in W.A. for about two months. He called on Bill Bennitt of 6IX and was immediately auditioned for “National Fair”. That was two days after his arrival in Australia. Shortly afterwards he appeared in “Command Performance” in the Capitol Theatre and dick Fair commented on the outstanding quality of his singing. Mr Croisette is the possessor of a magnificent baritone voice and can sing almost any kind of music, but prefers the hillbilly numbers which he will feature in this concert. He was successfully auditioned by the B.B.C. in England, and but for his move out here, would undoubtably have been heard on air over there. The concert is being arranged by Aunty Judy of the 6IX-WB-MD Children’s Hour who will compere the show.
* ALL STAR *
Variety Concert
United Nations Children’s Appeal
Saturday 3 Dec 1949
Featuring
* Jackie Harrison Mouth Organist
* Billy Clowes Blind Pianist
* Chic Burke Tap Dancer
* Glen Matsen Guitar Ensemble
* George Everson’s Banjo Band
* Laurie Croisette Western Songs
* Ballet Solo Linley Wilson Caravan Ballet
* Carmel, Pattie, Judy Raitt, Vocal Trio
* Valmai Read Accordion
* Don Vickers Accordion Band
*Cuban Fair John Anstey YAL Boys
* Eunice Greig, Phil Moran, Vocal Duets
* Joan Curtin Marimba
* Una Glass Highland Dancing
* Perth College and Christian Bros. School Choirs
HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3.
You Can’t say ‘NO’ to a Starving Child.
Help the United Nations Appeal for Children.
Prices 4/1 and 3/1
BOX PLANS AT NICHOLSONS.
1950
FROM THE DIARY OF MARCIA CHAYTER:
MARCIA: Friday 10th March 1950 Jack – 8pm Mt Lawley Tennis Club
Bob and Berwyn and Owen and I went to see Jenny in hospital then went to Mount Lawley (Tennis Club). Jack, Ray, Billy Clowes and the rest of the kids came to our place afterwards. Jim gave me “Isn’t it Romantic”. Had a super time.
MARCIA: Saturday 8th April 1950
Went to Rockingham with Jack, Bob, Stan, Murray in Anne’s car went to Billy Clowe’s for lunch. [Billy Clowes family had a beach house at Palm Beach]. Went to pictures at night with Jack and six boys saw “Gunga Din” had a luscious time. [“Gunga Din” is a 1939 American adventure film starring Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]
MARCIA: Tuesday 18th. Jack “Mirth and Music” broadcasted by 6WF Tuesday nights
Went night school. Went to “give it a go” with Jack [competition run by Jack Davey over radio station 2AD Give it a Go (1957) was hosted by radio and TV personality Jack Davey, who also hosted The Pressure Pak Show. The show had pairs of contestants who competed against each other by answering general knowledge questions and was sponsored by the laundry powder company Persil.] then to Billy Clowes’s. Jack came back to our place.
Wednesday 10th May 1950
Jack Harrison: Cheque to: Bill Clowes Uni Dramatic £2/15
Thursday 10th August 1950
Jack Harrison: Cheque to: Bill Clowes wages £7/5/6
A Light In The Darkness – Braille Society’s Work For The Blind
Reading is a relaxation that appeals to practically every member of the community, whether they be young or old. Can you imagine, then, what it would mean if one were suddenly cut off from one’s reading, by the loss of one’s sight? The Braille Society for the Blind of W.A. (Inc.) is a veritable light in the darkness for the 500-odd blind people in this State whose sight is impaired or destroyed and has a library of volumes embracing every class of literature — many of them done by hand by voluntary workers.
One of its most important functions is the rehabilitation of the blinded person, and the restoring of his confidence; then proving to the world that he is capable of doing so very much than he is given credit for. This is one of the reasons why the Society is always eager to further secondary education, particularly of young blinded people. As outstanding protégées of the organisation, Mrs. Gibbon mentioned … Mr. Bill Clowes, who is making quite a name for himself by playing “swing” on the piano. “Whenever necessary,” she said, “textbooks are put into Braille. Over 1543 volumes and many magazines are circulated throughout the year, and are handled free of charge by the P.M.G.’s Department.
Farmers’ Weekly (Perth, WA : 1947 – 1954), Thursday 5 October 1950, page 20
1951
PEOPLE YOU LISTEN TO
John Tuttell, producer of Australia’s Amateur Hour” who arrived in Perth on March 6th, has launched many artists on the way to fame and fortune. Among them are Barbara Leigh, who stirs Dudley Davenport’s amorous propensities in Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh. The Four Guardsmen, frequently heard on the radio, and Ronald Jackson, winner of this year’s Mobil Quest. This is Mr Tuttell’s first visit to the West, but in his five years as producer of Australia’s Amateur Hour he has welcomed many artists from Perth, including Jack Harrison and Billy Clowes the blind pianist. Mr Tuttell went from school into radio 2FC, and like Claude Rains, who rose from call boy to film star, rose from office boy to announcer, and after a spell learning the technical side of radio (inspired, he says, by his delight in twiddling dials) he joined the Lux Radio Theatre and Australia’s Amateur Hour.
The Broadcaster Saturday March 17 1951
1952
Story of Billy Clowes, one of Perth’s most popular pianists, is the story of triumph over adversity. Billy was born almost blind. At 13 he went to the Perth Blind School. He had no more than a passing interest in music, but, seeking a worthwhile hobby, he later asked music teacher Henry Cochran to teach him to play. He was now completely blind, and tuition posed a problem that at times seemed almost insurmountable. But with dogged perseverance, aided by an understanding tutor Billy Clowes finally mastered the art of playing by ear. Now he is firmly established as one of Perth’s leading musicians. He plays each night at a leading city hotel and has been heard on local radio. His ambition — to study Braille music in Melbourne and later go to the Melbourne Conservatorium. His favourite pianists — Art Tatum, George Shearing and Lennie Tristano — all of them, like Billy himself, blind.
Mirror Sat 1 November 1952 page 6
1953
EASTER PARADE of Fashions and Entertainment His Majesty’s Theatre (Kindly loaned by R.M.T. Co.) SUNDAY. MARCH 29th at 8.45 p.m. – doors open 8 p.m. Entire proceeds for the War Blinded and Aged Blind Appeal. A Fashion Spectacle of Easter and Autumn frocks evening gowns, furs, teen-age and sports wear worn by Perth’s leading mannequins presented by L. J. LEE McALINDEN in latest Continental style. Studded- with novel variety including HARRY BLUCK AND ORCHESTRA Winterbottom Motor Co. Brass Bond, Billy Clowes, Phyllis Frost BOX PLANS OPEN MONDAY at Nicholsons. D/e and Stalls 5/. (no tax).
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 21 March 1953, page 31
1955
JAZZ JAMBOREE
Sunday, October 2, 1955
Capitol Theatre
1955’s biggest swing show!
Admission 5/. Don’t miss it.
Book now ad for Jazz Fantasia 20 November – Jack Harrison scrap book
- – JACK HARRISON’S QUARTETTE
Numbers –
- “Geneva’s Move”
- “Can’t Get Started”
- “Jumping with Symphony Sid”
PERSONNEL: Jack Harrison (Clarinet, Sax), Billy Clowes (Piano), Ted Campbell (Drums), John Mowson (Bass).
