A major scandal involving a leading member of Margaret Thatcher's Government erupted in the autumn of 1983 when it emerged that Conservative Party Chairman Cecil Parkinson had not only been involved in an affair with his then secretary Sara Keays, but that she was carrying his child.
Parkinson was credited with masterminding the Conservative election victory of that year; Thatcher had intended to make Parkinson Foreign Secretary in her new Government but had been advised by Parkinson himself that this was not a wise move, informing her of the situation. Instead, she awarded him the post of Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. When the affair reached the attention of the tabloid press, they published lurid headlines such as 'PARKINSON SENSATION' and in the wake of this, Parkinson was forced to resign from his post. Despite this, his wife Anne stood by Parkinson, and the baby (Flora) was born on the last day of 1983, 31st December.
A dispute over child maintenance payments, plus the persistent attention of the press, led to Parkinson taking out an injunction in 1993 which forbade any mention of their daughter in the media. At first this was supported by Keays, but it later emerged that Flora was suffering from learning difficulties and Asperger's Syndrome, causing Parkinson to be painted as uncaring.
He was reappointed to Thatcher's Government in 1987, as Secretary of State for Energy and moved to Transport in 1989. Standing down as an MP at the 1992 General Election he was created as Baron Parkinson of Carnforth that year.
The injunction expired in 2001, when Flora reached 18 years old, and when it was shown that Keays had essentially brought up her daughter alone and with little to no contact from Parkinson (other than some financial support), the politician came in for renewed criticism from the media who were now free to report on the matter.
2023 update: Cecil Parkinson died in January 2016 aged 84; it was reported that he had left Flora out of his will but had provided a life assurance policy for her. Her mother later sued the estate for further support, stating that Flora still required round-the-clock care.
Keays herself was critical of Parkinson's attitude and in particular of how the party appeared to 'close ranks' on her, accusing them of actively seeking to discredit her.
Flora continues to require 24-hour care, and in a documentary broadcast on Channel 4 in 2002 she herself stated that she was disappointed that her father was never involved in her life.
Monday, 28 October 2013
Friday, 25 October 2013
US invade Grenada and infuriate UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
Operation Urgent Fury, or the United States-led intervention on the Caribbean island nation of Grenada, caused a diplomatic rift between (usually-close) allies US President Ronald Reagan and UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The background to the operation was that following Grenada's independence from the UK in 1974, a coup five years later saw Maurice Bishop and his New Jewel movement seize power from incumbent Eric Gairy. Bishop's policy of friendship with Cuba irritated Reagan, but it wasn't until an internal power struggle from hard-liners within the New Jewel Movement saw the more moderate Bishop captured and then executed, that the US decided to act.
Reportedly it was Grenadian Govenor-General Paul Scoon who appealed to the US for assistance and within six days of Bishops execution, US troops were deployed. This turn of events caught out then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was no supporter of the Grenadian regime but was deeply concerned that the invasion would be seen as Western intervention against a smaller, independent nation's affairs. Reagan's decision to act despite the concerns of the UK Prime Minister caused a momentary rift between the leaders, but Thatcher (in public) supported the intervention. The United Nations also condemned the invasion as a 'flagrant violation of international law'.
The operation was a success, as Scoon was freed from house arrest by the US troops and the military government led by Hudson Austin deposed. Scoon, once restored to office, appointed an interim government before fresh elections were held in December 1984, won by Herbert Blaize's Grenada National Party. The anniversary of the invasion is now marked as a national holiday in Grenada (Thanksgiving Day).
Ultimately the invasion did not damage relations between the US and UK; Reagan's apology for 'miscommunication' was accepted and the two leaders resumed relations.
Reportedly it was Grenadian Govenor-General Paul Scoon who appealed to the US for assistance and within six days of Bishops execution, US troops were deployed. This turn of events caught out then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was no supporter of the Grenadian regime but was deeply concerned that the invasion would be seen as Western intervention against a smaller, independent nation's affairs. Reagan's decision to act despite the concerns of the UK Prime Minister caused a momentary rift between the leaders, but Thatcher (in public) supported the intervention. The United Nations also condemned the invasion as a 'flagrant violation of international law'.
The operation was a success, as Scoon was freed from house arrest by the US troops and the military government led by Hudson Austin deposed. Scoon, once restored to office, appointed an interim government before fresh elections were held in December 1984, won by Herbert Blaize's Grenada National Party. The anniversary of the invasion is now marked as a national holiday in Grenada (Thanksgiving Day).
Ultimately the invasion did not damage relations between the US and UK; Reagan's apology for 'miscommunication' was accepted and the two leaders resumed relations.
Thursday, 10 October 2013
1983 in music: Megastars Jackson and McCartney join forces
The pairing of former Beatle Paul McCartney and megastar Michael Jackson was one of the biggest collaborations of the decade, never mind the year. The two worked on the song 'Say Say Say', which was recorded in 1981 during sessions for McCartney's album 'Tug of War', but along with many other tracks (including 'Man', another Jackson collaboration) actually saw the light of day on his 'Pipes of Peace' album released in October of 1983.
Jackson and McCartney had become friends during the early 1980s and during one evening together, the former Beatle had revealed to Jackson that much of his income came from music publishing rights. (The Beatles, famously, missed out on this from their own songs when the rights were sold without their knowledge.) He had showed Jackson a booklet detailing what songs he owned the rights to (he owned the publishing rights to Buddy Holly's back catalogue for example, and had covered some of his material), and the American megastar duly took note.
'Say Say Say', a pop/disco number, was accompanied by a humorous video directed by Bob Giraldi (who also directed Jackson's 'Beat It' promo) showing the duo as travelling 'snake oil' salesmen (dubbed 'Mack and Jack') selling 'wonder potion', before donating all their proceeds to an orphanage and becoming vaudeville performers. The video included an appearance from Jackson's sister LaToya, and McCartney's wife Linda. The song was a hit in many countries, reaching number 1 on the Billboard hot 100 and reaching at number 2 in the UK singles chart.
The collaboration continued with 'The Girl Is Mine'; this duet appeared on Jackson's mega-successful 'Thriller' album and initially appeared in late 1982, although the song was actually recorded at a later time than 'Say Say Say'. That song originated from producer Quincy Jones asking Jackson to write a song about two men arguing over the same girl, and he completed writing that while watching cartoons on television alongside McCartney. The sessions were described by Jackson as some of his most enjoyable, as the two stars joked about in the studio. However this pairing came to an abrupt end, as in 1985 Jackson (having taken on board McCartney's advice about purchasing music publishing rights), bought up ATV Music Publishing, who owned the rights to the Beatles' back catalogue - outbidding McCartney and John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono in the process. That spelt the end of their partnership and the two remained estranged until Jackson's death in 2009. As of 2013, the rights to the Beatles' material remain out of the hands of their creators.
From happier times, here is Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson's video for 'Say Say Say':
Jackson and McCartney had become friends during the early 1980s and during one evening together, the former Beatle had revealed to Jackson that much of his income came from music publishing rights. (The Beatles, famously, missed out on this from their own songs when the rights were sold without their knowledge.) He had showed Jackson a booklet detailing what songs he owned the rights to (he owned the publishing rights to Buddy Holly's back catalogue for example, and had covered some of his material), and the American megastar duly took note.
'Say Say Say', a pop/disco number, was accompanied by a humorous video directed by Bob Giraldi (who also directed Jackson's 'Beat It' promo) showing the duo as travelling 'snake oil' salesmen (dubbed 'Mack and Jack') selling 'wonder potion', before donating all their proceeds to an orphanage and becoming vaudeville performers. The video included an appearance from Jackson's sister LaToya, and McCartney's wife Linda. The song was a hit in many countries, reaching number 1 on the Billboard hot 100 and reaching at number 2 in the UK singles chart.
The collaboration continued with 'The Girl Is Mine'; this duet appeared on Jackson's mega-successful 'Thriller' album and initially appeared in late 1982, although the song was actually recorded at a later time than 'Say Say Say'. That song originated from producer Quincy Jones asking Jackson to write a song about two men arguing over the same girl, and he completed writing that while watching cartoons on television alongside McCartney. The sessions were described by Jackson as some of his most enjoyable, as the two stars joked about in the studio. However this pairing came to an abrupt end, as in 1985 Jackson (having taken on board McCartney's advice about purchasing music publishing rights), bought up ATV Music Publishing, who owned the rights to the Beatles' back catalogue - outbidding McCartney and John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono in the process. That spelt the end of their partnership and the two remained estranged until Jackson's death in 2009. As of 2013, the rights to the Beatles' material remain out of the hands of their creators.
From happier times, here is Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson's video for 'Say Say Say':
Monday, 7 October 2013
1983 in rock: Paul Rodgers goes solo with 'Cut Loose'
Paul Rodgers was a veteran singer already by 1983, having fronted two legendary bands by then. First of all he came to fame as lead singer of Free, blues-boomers from the UK who had a short but stellar career before imploding, then as singer with Bad Company, formed with Free drummer Simon Kirke and with Mick Ralphs of Mott the Hoople fame on guitar. The latter band was a huge seller throughout the 1970s, sharing management and record label with Led Zeppelin they were only slightly behind in terms of sales. However, after six albums, Rodgers had become jaded and was looking to start a solo career at last, and after 'Rough Diamonds' (the final album by the original Bad Company line-up) had been critically savaged, he took the opportunity to strike out alone.
Rodgers took literally the concept of a solo album; writing the material and playing all instruments himself, he also produced the album, recorded at his own home. He did enlist engineer Julian Mendelsohn for the sessions, but the finished album was the most accurate example of a 'solo' album as is possible to find. Released in October 1983, it kicked off with 'Fragile', a hard rock number not far removed from that of his previous band. One song, 'Superstar Woman' was a re-recorded version of an unused Bad Co song (which eventually surfaced on the 'Anthology' collection) and another song, 'Live In Peace', had a second life when Rodgers teamed up with Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page two years later.
Perhaps because Rodgers did not tour to promote this record, it did not become a big seller and has become something of a forgotten gem among the other stellar work Rodgers has produced. He has collaborated with many artists since this album, but it wasn't until the 1990s that he once again released records under his own name but this time toured to support them. He remains one of the great singers of rock, perhaps the greatest, and anything he puts his name to is worth investigating.
Because there was no video or single for this album, this is the audio of 'Cut Loose' as provided to YouTube:
Rodgers took literally the concept of a solo album; writing the material and playing all instruments himself, he also produced the album, recorded at his own home. He did enlist engineer Julian Mendelsohn for the sessions, but the finished album was the most accurate example of a 'solo' album as is possible to find. Released in October 1983, it kicked off with 'Fragile', a hard rock number not far removed from that of his previous band. One song, 'Superstar Woman' was a re-recorded version of an unused Bad Co song (which eventually surfaced on the 'Anthology' collection) and another song, 'Live In Peace', had a second life when Rodgers teamed up with Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page two years later.
Perhaps because Rodgers did not tour to promote this record, it did not become a big seller and has become something of a forgotten gem among the other stellar work Rodgers has produced. He has collaborated with many artists since this album, but it wasn't until the 1990s that he once again released records under his own name but this time toured to support them. He remains one of the great singers of rock, perhaps the greatest, and anything he puts his name to is worth investigating.
Because there was no video or single for this album, this is the audio of 'Cut Loose' as provided to YouTube:
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
The tide sweeps up Neil Kinnock in view of the TV cameras
A hilarious moment in politics happened in the autumn of 1983, when the Labour party, which was still licking its wounds after a thumping defeat in that year's General Election, had just voted in Welshman Neil Kinnock as its party leader. The party conference was held in Brighton that year, and the election of Kinnock and his deputy Roy Hattersley was widely regarded as the 'dream ticket'; two astute politicians who would reform the party and restore its credibility to the British public.
All of that came crashing down within days, as the new leader made an ill-judged decision to stroll onto the beach with wife Glenys; intending to give the cameramen a scoop by pledging to 'walk on the water', instead the water literally swept him off his feet causing an undignified and embarrassing tumble into the sand, whereupon the tide washed over the prone politician. The clip was replayed over and over again on television, destroying the leader's credibility before he even had a chance to establish himself.
His career as leader never really recovered from that moment; the satirical puppet show 'Spitting Image' which launched a year later, used the clip in its opening titles and lampooned him mercilessly (among many others, it should be said) while the tabloid press had a field day with the gaffe. Nevertheless, he did instigate many changes to the party and while never really getting within striking distance of Number 10 himself, he did do a lot to start the Labour Party back towards electability. Kinnock later served with the European Commission before accepting a life peerage in 2005. Even that caused criticism, since he had been a vocal opponent of the House of Lords while Leader of the Opposition.
Once again for the amusement of anyone who remembers it, here's Neil Kinnock being swept away by the tide:
All of that came crashing down within days, as the new leader made an ill-judged decision to stroll onto the beach with wife Glenys; intending to give the cameramen a scoop by pledging to 'walk on the water', instead the water literally swept him off his feet causing an undignified and embarrassing tumble into the sand, whereupon the tide washed over the prone politician. The clip was replayed over and over again on television, destroying the leader's credibility before he even had a chance to establish himself.
His career as leader never really recovered from that moment; the satirical puppet show 'Spitting Image' which launched a year later, used the clip in its opening titles and lampooned him mercilessly (among many others, it should be said) while the tabloid press had a field day with the gaffe. Nevertheless, he did instigate many changes to the party and while never really getting within striking distance of Number 10 himself, he did do a lot to start the Labour Party back towards electability. Kinnock later served with the European Commission before accepting a life peerage in 2005. Even that caused criticism, since he had been a vocal opponent of the House of Lords while Leader of the Opposition.
Once again for the amusement of anyone who remembers it, here's Neil Kinnock being swept away by the tide:
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
1983 in rock: Brian May's Star Fleet Project
In the spring of 1983, Queen's guitarist Brian May found himself in Los Angeles with some musician friends. Those friends included hotshot guitar hero Eddie van Halen, session players Fred Mandel (a keyboard player who had worked with Queen) and Phil Chen (bass player who had worked with Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart), plus REO Speedwagon's drummer Alan Gratzer.
The grouping got together at the Record Plant studios and cut three tracks, the lead-off was a reworking of the theme tune to 'Star Fleet', a children's sci-fi TV show originally from Japan, but had been redubbed using British actors' voices for UK transmission. The theme tune for the UK version of the programme was composed by Paul Bliss, and May had become interested in covering the theme after he had discovered the programme through his young son. The musicians decided to record two more tracks; 'Let Me Out' was a song written by May which had not been used previously, and 'Bluesbreaker' an extended jam. Indeed both 'Let Me Out' and 'Bluesbreaker' were to feature the two guitarists trading extended lead breaks.
Having recorded these tracks, the Queen guitarist considered keeping them privately for his own enjoyment before being persuaded by friends to put the recordings out. According to the sleeve notes on the record, post-production was kept to a minimum (a few backing vocals from Queen drummer Roger Taylor on the 'Star Fleet' theme itself were acknowledged). In his own words, May had not "...messed one scrap with the tracking done on the day".
The record was eventually issued in October 1983 as a 'mini-LP'; for many years it was available only as a vinyl record. It wasn't until almost ten years later that the tracks became available on CD, issued over two versions of May's solo single 'Back To The Light'. The first CD single included 'Star Fleet' and 'Let Me Out', while the second CD included 'Bluesbreaker'.
The new for 2023 single version of 'Star Fleet' can be heard here:
Bonus: For anyone who wondered what the original theme sounded like, here is Paul Bliss's version over the end credits to an episode of 'Star Fleet':
The grouping got together at the Record Plant studios and cut three tracks, the lead-off was a reworking of the theme tune to 'Star Fleet', a children's sci-fi TV show originally from Japan, but had been redubbed using British actors' voices for UK transmission. The theme tune for the UK version of the programme was composed by Paul Bliss, and May had become interested in covering the theme after he had discovered the programme through his young son. The musicians decided to record two more tracks; 'Let Me Out' was a song written by May which had not been used previously, and 'Bluesbreaker' an extended jam. Indeed both 'Let Me Out' and 'Bluesbreaker' were to feature the two guitarists trading extended lead breaks.
Having recorded these tracks, the Queen guitarist considered keeping them privately for his own enjoyment before being persuaded by friends to put the recordings out. According to the sleeve notes on the record, post-production was kept to a minimum (a few backing vocals from Queen drummer Roger Taylor on the 'Star Fleet' theme itself were acknowledged). In his own words, May had not "...messed one scrap with the tracking done on the day".
The record was eventually issued in October 1983 as a 'mini-LP'; for many years it was available only as a vinyl record. It wasn't until almost ten years later that the tracks became available on CD, issued over two versions of May's solo single 'Back To The Light'. The first CD single included 'Star Fleet' and 'Let Me Out', while the second CD included 'Bluesbreaker'.
The new for 2023 single version of 'Star Fleet' can be heard here:
Bonus: For anyone who wondered what the original theme sounded like, here is Paul Bliss's version over the end credits to an episode of 'Star Fleet':
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