UK CLUBLAND
Making a name for yourself was the aspiration of every new act who began to make inroads on the Clubland scene right across the UK. Back in the days when more Clubland entertainers were Equity members and more performers were full-time professionals, stage names were jealously and sometimes even legally guarded. But what of the mononyms? Those who get by on using a forename or the briefest of brief one-name set-ups? Mark Ritchie takes up the story.
Pop stars such as Cher, Lulu and more recently Adele and Rihanna seem to manage quite nicely being recognised only by one name. For Madonna or Seal for instance, their truncated nickname/stage names have served to present a recognisable brand in the field of recording, but what of the budding or would-be superstars amongst the massed ranks of Clubland and pub entertainers?
Notice boards in club entrances across the nation reveal the forthcoming attractions and so many of these forthcoming attractions do not even feature surnames to conjure with, Scotty T, Tommy J etcetera-etcetera. Some even eschew even a mere indication of a surname, with Sally, Crystal and Chantelle popping up many times over in different areas.
Do the tribute acts make their names any more memorable? Alas many do not, with fictitious examples being Leanne as Beyonce or Billie as Taylor Swift. There are many true examples here, but I will not name them, as the poor dears may think I am holding them up to ridicule and we may risk offending them (perish the thought)!
In my own small way, I have performed thousands of Clubland gigs over so many years. Even with a full forename and a complete surname, I have not always been recognised as the only Mark Ritchie. I know of one Scottish christian evangelist comedian and one country and western guitarist, who makes his living on the holiday Island of Majorca, who have confused the issue for some potential audience members in the past.
When I was an Equity member I could have done something about this curious business anomaly, but frankly I do not care two hoots these days. My race as an entertainer is almost completely run.
If I were to begin all over again, I would still retain a recognisable and memorable full stage name, as opposed to a mononym. The majority of us will never know what it is like answering to mega-famous show business names, but at least by presenting ourselves with a full stage name, we at least stand a chance of our names being recalled easily by agent’s bookers and Mr & Mrs Joe Public.
We continue to look for area correspondents who could collate and send us information across the national club scene. If you have a related story to tell, please e-mail all your Clubland information to mark.ritchie@ukcabaret.com
