Alex Cairns, musical director and keyboard instrumentalist

Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2003 08:08:43 -0400
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Alex Cairns, musical director and keyboard instrumentalist
(The Scotsman)
Died: 6 May, 2003, aged 82
AS A boy, Alex Cairns was organist at the historic Sorn Parish Church near
his native village of Catrine in Ayrshire, and at the age of 15 he was
playing the piano at local gigs for a fee of five shillings (25p) a time.
On turning full-time professional, Alex toured England with big bands before
forming his own orchestra for cabaret and dancing.
Later, he joined Harry Bence, whom he regarded as "the greatest alto sax
player to emerge from Scotland". Then it was on to the Geraldo orchestra,
and the ocean liners Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.
He recalled: "These were unforgettable days, full of glamour, excitement and
musical experience.
"I travelled all over the world, and I accompanied names such as Johnny
Mathis, Dusty Springfield, Bert Weedon, and a host of others."
In 1971, Alex became resident musical director at the Gaiety Theatre, Ayr,
in succession to his friend, the legendary Harry Broad, who had fallen ill.
He became freelance again a year later but he took charge of the band for
many Gaiety seasons, particularly pantomimes. Summers always found him
heading a six-piece orchestra at Butlin's Wonderwest World at the Heads of
Ayr.
All this work involved musical arrangements.
Television shows, radio broadcasts and recordings, all fitted into the
Cairns repertoire. At one time he acted as musical director of the Kelvin
Hall Circus in Glasgow, and in 1984 he was musical director of a major
variety production at Glasgow's King's Theatre, starring Jimmy Logan and
Andy Cameron, in an heroic attempt to re-establish big-time Five Past
Eight-style glossy revue in the city.
Alex also had spells as the main attraction in a piano bar, and quite
recently made a tour of Canada with Ron Coburn's A Breath of Scotland Show.
Alex married the former Doris Lawrence, a member of a well-known show family
with fairground roots, known in her own right as the clairvoyant Madame
Astra. Earlier this year, Doris died. The couple lived in Catrine and had a
daughter, Charmaine, and a son, Lorenz, a musician.
Alex Cairns was buried at Catrine on 8 May, 2003.