DEBBIE REYNOLDS - Full Interview & Tammy w/ELIO PACE (Weekend Wogan BBC Radio 2 - April 4th 2010)

Hear 'Tammy' at 16:03

I was so so sad to learn of Debbie Reynolds' death. Without a doubt she must have been destroyed by the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, the day before. How very cruel this life can be sometimes and when all is said and done, fame and fortune really do count for absolutely nothing in the great scheme of things.

One of the most unforgettable highlights of my career so far was having the unbelievable pleasure of meeting, chatting to and then accompanying Debbie Reynolds as she sang her big hit 'Tammy' live on BBC Radio 2 on 'Weekend Wogan' in 2010.

This clip brings back so many memories: the show's producer, Alan Boyd calling me late in the week to say that Miss Reynolds was not only going to be interviewed but had decided at the last moment that she would like to sing her hit... a song I'm embarrassed to say I had never heard before and that she wanted to do it with just the piano; meeting her two days later on broadcast day at 9am on Sunday morning April 4th (just two hours before we went live on BBC Radio 2) and running through the song a few times having memorised it but now desperately trying to quickly learn her phrasing and feel as she sang 'colla voce' (with no fixed tempo or beat) whilst at the same time pinching myself at what was happening!!! And she looked incredible for 78 years old and already dressed for the show, she was everything you would wish your icons to be. She was lovely, funny and cute with me as we rehearsed the song and it wasn't lost on me the many huge shoes I was filling in this moment as her piano-player. My personal reward came right at the end of this clip as the camera pans out when she turned towards me, waved and flashed those twinkling eyes and that gorgeous smile at me one last time and mouthed 'thank you'.

I have rarely been so in awe as I was that morning and having enjoyed her company, beauty and elegance, and having her call me 'honey' a dozen times, I fell in love with her a little that day and have remained so ever since. She was special. Delectable. And at 78 years old at the time, she is one of the prettiest women I have ever met.

I have a feeling that this was her last appearance on British radio/TV. I just happened to have been in the right place at the right time and I will never forget it. We love you Debbie Reynolds. Thank you. Xxx

Elio Pace
December 2016

http://www.eliopace.com

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