Les Ambler is a second tenor with our Choir with music in his blood. It would be impossible to give a full account of his musical career in these short little portraits. In his twenties Les earned his living as a touring musician and it would probably take several blogs to tell that particular story!
Les grew up in the town and left Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Mansfield in 1953 starting his working life at Raleigh, Nottingham in their home sales department.
“I soon realized that I was more suited to the entertainment industry”, said Les, “and formed my own skiffle group in the mid-1950s. We soon became very popular locally, performing at the local Granada cinema. We did our slot between pictures on Sunday nights”.
Just a word of explanation. Back then films were called “pictures” and there would generally be a “double bill” with two films showing of an evening with scope for more entertainment between the films. Good value for money, I’d say! The Granada cinema in Mansfield town centre was demolished in the 1970s but stood where Primark is now. It was a very popular venue for touring groups back in the day. The Beatles and the Rolling Stones amongst many others played there.
Les left the group who carried on and were later joined by Shane Fenton and became “Shane Fenton and the Fentones”. Shane Fenton, of course, was re-incarnated in the 1970s as Alvin Stardust.
“I then joined local Nottingham hero Reg Guest and played all around the country. We notched up more than 50 broadcasts on the BBC plus a TV appearance on the Jimmy Young TV show” said Les, “but at the age of 29 I realized that I was getting a bit too old for the Pop idol stakes and left the group”
Les went into the insurance business and stayed for 20 years including a spell in Kettering and Northampton for five years. “But I never forgot my music and played there in a local dance band”
After moving back to Mansfield in the late eighties it wasn’t long before Les re-joined his colleague, Reg Guest. They became a duo until Reg retired in the late 90s after 50 years as a professional musician.
But you can’t keep a good man down and after his retirement from insurance Les was persuaded by Walter Pitchford to join Mansfield & District Male Voice Choir. “I have always enjoyed mixing with some great friends and colleagues in the Choir”, said Les
The former Pop idol is also still very active, playing his bass guitar and entertaining the public with the Beeston Big Band.
“They will have to shoot me to get me to retire,” quipped Les
What an interesting story. I’ve known Les ages and I’ve always enjoyed his ‘spot turns’. How lovely to find out a little bit more about the talented individuals who come together to form our amazing choir. Let’s have more of these tantalising tales.
My uncle Reg Guest sadly passed away last week. Thanks
Did Reg Guest Trio also play at Shoulder of Mutton known as Les Jones Theatre Bar think South Normanton area.. They were great days in the 60s.
Liz Mansfield Woodhouse
I dont know if its of any interest to anyone but i brought les s baldwin virginian from him in sutton market in 1986 87 it was in quite a worn state at the time les asked me what i was going to do with it i told him i was going to put it back to as origional as i can he laughed and said good luck in the nicest way he could i went to see him play one night at the staff of life sutton i still have the guitar i belive he brought from hardy smiths in sutton in 1965 and yes les its playable again