Kalpana
p.s. WRITE SOON. G.L. for Aspel show.
45 St George’s Terrace,
London
Dear Kalpana,
You can go to a café round the corner from here it is called Alla Marinella but it doesn’t have a jukebox and you don’t get a pokey hat, the ice cream is always on a plate. Yesterday morning before setting off in the car to a place I think called Bogner I went into the café to get something and an old man had a flask of tea, he said he borowed it and he wasen’t to happy. He smelled of a lot of lager.
I have my own box it has a ballarina inside that springs up when you unhook the lock and plays Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head and I put whatever letters I get inside it, especially for hiding your cheeky ones, but now there are letters that come from complete strangers, we read them in the car. They are fan letters from people who bought the record at the shops.
One thing thats a bit hard is all the training you have to do if your going to make it big. The manager says, and Mr Green from the programme used to say it as well, that I dont really smile enough so I have to practise smiling in front of the mirror and some nights you do it for that long you start crying with just being tired. But its really really brilliant in the studios and all the nice places to see.
I did a public appearance in a Woolworths shop in a place called Palmers Green, I’m not kidding they were all screaming and they had posters up and I mimed along to the record. They didn’t bother if you took anything you wanted from the pick and mix. I signed the single for everybody and I’m not kidding it was like a crush. It was also very tiring and the smell of bubblegum yuk!
Say hello to everyone.
Lots of love,
Maria Tambini
12 Cowal Road,
Craigmore,
Isle of Bute,
PA20 3TF
19 December, 1978
Dear Maria,
I am typing this in Typing because it is sooooo boring and you have not written for ages, are you travelling with a show or something, I hope my letters have got to you. There is one boy in the class he is across from me and he is a great laugh but Tony says he’s a poof and I was telling him about you and he says he doesn’t remember meeting you.
Everybody goes down the Amusements on Saturday now and they keep them open until late, they’ve got a Space Invader machine and I’m getting good at it already. My attempts to lose my V* are to no avail, but you know what they say, once a V always a V. Clare Wishart spends all day trying to convince me that Tony is in love with her and that the only reason he won’t go out with her is that he is frightened she will get hurt.
I saw your Uncle Alfredo going on the ferry for a night out in Glasgow, he was wearing a new jacket and he said you were busy and doing better than ever. I hope you get this letter.
Lots of love, Kalpana
Swindon,
Near Wales
Dear Kalpana,
I am sending this postcard to you from a hotel on Swindon, the theatre tonight was full and my name is outside with lights on. I am sorry not to write back, there is an article about me in the TV Times. Sincerely yours,
Maria Tambini
12 Cowal Road,
Craigmore,
Isle of Bute,
PA20 3TF
12 July 1979
Dear Maria,
I have not heard from you for ages, but I wanted to see if you were keeping well and tell you my news. Fergus sent me a Valentine’s card and so I said yes I would go out with him and it has now been six months and two days. He is a good kisser and we made kissing licences where you fill in the name of the person and then you can show it to anyone and kiss them. If you want I can type you one. Clare did one for ‘sexual intercourse’ but it has now been confiscated by Sister Dominic Savio.
We are doing a book in English, God Maria it is so good. The book is about Anne Frank, a girl who is locked in an attic with her family and she is young but keeps a really good diary and she tells it everything. When you read the book it is actually the diary she wrote.
I hope you are keeping well and not working too hard. Please write back to me when you have time.
Yours, Kalpana
45 St George’s Terrace,
London NW1
Dear Kalpana,
I am sorry I haven’t had more time to write, in the summer season you work all the time and now Christmas is closer and I have a lot of television to do. I have been given a lot of new songs and my records are in the hit parade in places like Japan and Portogal. Some of my family came to see me in a show in Scarb … I can’t spell it, they said they had a nice time and in the dressing room they got to meet the singer Frankie Vaughan who is a movie star as well. They went home with things I’d got for them like free programmes and a T-shirt each. I have got lots of new make-up, they give it to me for nothing because of the shows, and Mrs Gaskell told all of us at the beginning that a woman without paint is just like a dinner without salt, you have to wear it to show up your eyes and it looks as if you’ve got no lips or are a ghost or something if you go on stage in none.
Sincerely yours,
Maria Tambini
12 Cowal Road,
Craigmore,
Isle of Bute,
PA20 3TF
Boxing Day, 1979
Dear Maria,
Have you gone missing? Nowadays I have to switch on the radio or watch TV to find you. Anyway, it’s your old friend here, still in good old Bute, wishing you a Happy Christmas. I hope Santa or whoever was good to you. Dr Jag and my mum don’t put up a tree or anything, but they like to give presents, and I was so amazed this year. I got a box-set of novels and a, diary with a lock on it (goes for 5 years), and some coloured writing paper (as you can see) with envelopes to match and a silver pen that came in a box. Hurrah!
There’s a book called Titus Groan, it’s so good you read it in the bath and I’ve asked Mr McCallum if I can do it for the mock exams and he didn’t know the book but he said he’d look at it and maybe make up a question. There’s different characters in it and it’s set in a castle with a girl called Fuschia who always wears a red dress. The doctor’s shouting for me I’d better go down. PLEASE WRITE SOON.
Yours,
Kalpana
45 St George’s Terrace,
London NW1
12 January 1980
Dear Kalpana,
When you use Pan-stick you have to watch out and ‘blend’ it carefully in at the neck, and it helps to use a sponge instead of your fingers. Concealer can hide things like broken blood vessels or even spots. The powder is really important and I prefer to use Max Factor, which is loose and makes it look as if you’re just fresh for the day.
Sincerely yours,
Maria Tambini
12 Cowal Road,
Craigmore,
Isle of Bute,
PA20 3TF
18 January 1980
Dear Maria,
It was great to receive your letter. My mum says soap and water is good enough for a girl’s skin, but I have washed it with a scrub and then I like just lip-gloss on.
I have been working hard for exams and there is not much fun just now, but at least there are Saturday nights, and I won’t be giving them up. There is now an underage disco at the Pavilion and a lot of us go just for a carry-on. There are some nice boys too and a lot of ugly ones but you can just ignore the neds if you want. They have got a new ferry so everyone is excited about trying it out. You’ve been away so long I doubt if you could recognise the island; they have a new tourist information place.
Did you get any of the books I mentioned? The Titus one is part of something called the ‘Gormenghast’ trilogy and I’m now near the middle of the third one. At the same time I read Wuthering Heights (by Emily Bronte) and I thought it was so sad and couldn’t put it down. My dad has found some old Indian stories he wants me to read too. I’ve decided I might do English and French if I ever go to university. Mr McCallum, the English teacher, and
Miss Gaston, French, says I could do it if I stick in. My dad of course thinks I should do zoology or something, but anyway it’s not for him I’m doing it, I just think it would be great to be able to sit down and learn about the great books. There’s so many of them!!
Well, Maria, I haven’t heard any news from you but I know from Granny Tambini you’re doing the London Palladium which they say is the highest a performer can reach. Good on you my old pal, you know we’ll be rooting for you. I’m sorry this letter has been a bit boring but I just wanted to keep you up to speed on all the stuff.
Love, Kalpana
c/o Marion Gaskell Associates
Top Floor
71 Denmark Street
London w1
Dear Kalpana,
Some people get it into their heads that they have to keep the same hairstyle for ever, but what you find out is that there are all sorts of different things you can do with hair that is fun and also improves the appearance. No way would I have it spikey or shaved or that, but you can definitely make it blonder or put it up if you want, or sometimes cut it short if what your after is a new look. Different sorts of waves are a good idea and even ringlets but the most important bit is to make sure it suits the shape of your face.
Sincerely yours,
Maria Tambini
12 Cowal Road,
Craigmore,
Isle of Bute,
PA20 3TF
8 May 1980
Dear Maria,
I think your hair is nice no matter what style you make it.
You’re certainly getting to know a lot about it, anyway, but I suppose that’s a big part of life in the Big Smoke.
I wish you’d tell me about your new friends and how everything went at the stage school. It said something about it in the paper and it sounded fantastic. Are the teachers a good laugh or do they just give you loads of work all the time? My dad and me had a jumble sale in the square to raise money for Dr Barnardos. I kept a couple of books for you and I might send them but my mum says you’re probably too busy just at the moment.
I have been watching the charts to see if your new single goes in. You are much better than Sheena Easton and Kelly Marie and bloody well Diana Ross, I’m not kidding, so I bet you next week you’ll storm in. I don’t know if you listen to bands as well, but personally I like The Jam, Police, and Dexy’s Midnight Runners.
This is a rubbish pen so I’ll sign off now Maria and hope to hear from you soon.
Love Kalpana
45 St George’s Terrace,
London NW1
Dear Kalpana Jagannadham,
A hint of blusher on the cheekbones, the chin, and the forehead accentuates the bone structure of the face and makes everything stand out. Lip pencil lasts longer than lipstick and you can get it right more times. Eye-shadow will stay on longer if you give your eyelids a dusting of powder first.
Sincerely yours,
Maria Tambini
12 Cowal Road,
Craigmore,
Isle of Bute,
PA20 3TF
12 August 1980
Dear Maria,
I have sent you five letters and heard nothing back. What is wrong? Are you too busy? Just tell me if you are and I’ll stop bugging you. Your last letter said nothing about what you are up to. Please answer this I want to tell you about my results and everything. Miss you.
Love Kalpana
12 Cowal Road,
Rothesay,
Isle of Bute,
PA20 3TF
28 September 1980
Dear Maria,
You can’t be friends with someone and ignore all their letters. Are you angry or something? If I have done something to upset you it is better if you tell me.
Love Kalpana
12 Cowal Road,
Craigmore,
Isle of Bute,
PA20 3TF
30 October 1980
Dear Maria,
I just want to say goodbye. I am sad you can’t write to me but understand you’re probably too busy now. I will always remember all the fun we had together. Please look after yourself.
Love Kalpana
5
Marion
If you want anything said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman. That has always been my motto I don’t mind telling you. It may be the cock that crows but it’s the hen that lays the eggs. Showbusiness is just like any other business I’m afraid: if you don’t work hard and fight for what’s yours then you may as well just pack up and go home.
For three years that little girl has worked like the proverbial Trojan. I must say it is quite delightful having her about the house. She is like me: she sees the point of a day’s work. When the record came out she did Top of the Pops and after that the record was a hit. I’m sure that little girl travelled to every single Woolworths in the country you know. Half the time the poor thing grabbed a handful of pick’n’mix on the way out the door and that was lunch. Jolly hard work. She opened supermarkets and petrol stations. We had her advertising everything from Yamaha organs to jumpsuits. Oh she was in demand all right. If God had given us the power to duplicate people like Maria Tambini we’d never go short.
I retired her from Opportunity Knocks after she won it for the seventh time. It was becoming a nonsense. They just couldn’t find anybody to challenge her. So we were off. Hughie Green of course was having none of it. Such an argumentative little man. That show was on its last legs anyway, we all said that. But Green, he is an institution no question, don’t get me wrong, and he’s done a lot for British talent over the years, but disputatious! He caused no end of resentment at LWT, and before that it was the BBC – he took them to court and lost. It’s a problem in this business you know, you get every kind of botheration. Some people are never satisfied. But I won’t cut the man short. He has been around a long time. When I took Maria off the show he caused a terrible row and we didn’t communicate for some time after that. Well, it’s a tough business. One can’t win them all, and that’s just the way it is I’m afraid.
We took Eric Sharpies and the Band and did a summer season at Bridlington. Now that is when she really came into her own as a performer. Such confidence. Maria was always full of giggles and she has that outlook money can’t buy. If people say we gave her too much work they don’t know her. The girl wanted to work. She really did. It is my job to pass on the offers and I have to say she always wanted the job. In Bridlington she sold out every night that first season and there were coaches coming from as far as Southport. One really can’t argue with that kind of success. Maria didn’t anyway.
I never understand that family. They come down maybe just the once at Christmas or something, we are perfectly happy to see them, but they don’t really seem to get the point of Maria, coming down to London with plastic bags full of potato scones and those frightful square sausages and fizzy drinks. I think they always make her feel a little nostalgic, which I agree may be no bad thing for a singer, even a young one, but they all seem a bit, well, pained. Maria and I have a pact: we don’t talk about the past, only what is coming next, so I must confess I don’t know anything about the life they live up there. Of course, you can never really tell how people live their lives. Far be it from me to say. But as time goes on I notice how Maria gets upset by them. The girl has achieved a certain fame and she travels a lot. You can’t pin her down and I suppose it’s unfortunate when things kind of stall with a family. It’s a shame really. But what can you do? It can’t be helped. We always give them their place.
We’ve had clients staying with us over the years, especially in the early days. The old house in Marylebone was at one time more like an arts club. But nobody stayed the way Maria has; we really wanted her to grow up with us and she loves the business. We have a good arrangement with the parents about her earnings – so much for expenses, so much for keep, and they take care of some, and the rest is put away for Maria.
She understands the seaside mentality, and goes down an absolut
e storm round the coast, doing her bit with the local newspapers and that sort of thing. In Blackpool she was just like a normal young girl on her holidays. We have Polaroid snaps of her on the dodgem cars and the big wheel. You wouldn’t believe it – so guileless – and then that evening she would be tapping and jumping and ripping up the Hollywood songbook. Good old Maria. The word trouper was absolutely invented for her. If you plugged her into the national grid, I swear you’d fuse all the kettles in the country. It really is remarkable to be so innocent and yet so knowing with a great song. It’s the time of our lives.
Attention is good for Maria. She is simply one of those remarkable people who deserves all the attention they get. We took her on Eric and Ernie’s show, and God bless the boys but she outperformed the two of them. We put out her second album, Rockaby, and it’s gone Top Ten in Finland and Japan. They want us to go and do a charity special in Vegas. I’ve spoken to them at Italia Conti, it’s all sorted out for time off, so we are going. Maria has that old-fashioned charm and they’re going to just adore her in Vegas. But first there’s the London Palladium. Really. I ask you. Is there any more to life once you play the Palladium?
I must say I get irritated with the press. Of course you can’t control everything they write, and it’s not my job to do so, but they keep harping on about Maria being a child star, and they make too much of the Rothesay business. She is a young performer, as Lulu was, as Petula was, and Judy Garland, but she is totally in command of herself, and more of an adult, frankly, than half the people in this business. They always want to picture her holding some dreadful ice-cream cone. Stuff and nonsense. Maria is a mature star now of the stage and television. She can hold her own in any company. She is not one of those now-you-see-her-now-you-don’t light entertainment dunces. As far as I’m concerned Maria is like Streisand. She is a proper star of the television era and that will never change.
Personality Page 16