SIR: Why, one wonders are today's hit songs far less memorable than their earlier acknowledged, remembered counterparts?

Many (senior) viewers would have, with sheer delight watched the televised 'Good Old Days" programmes from Leeds, which bought together the finest comics and comedians, and also bought the leading singers together. Singers that knew the better-class songs off by heart. Singers that knew the business.

Relatively recently, Ken Dodd sang his 'Nicky Nacky Noo' song at Leeds and enthralled his audiences with 'My Heart and I'! Teressa Cahil and Linda Gloria sang 'I Love You Only' and 'Dance Ballerina Dance' and an enjoyable (later) number was 'Thank Heaven for Little Girls' which was made famous by the French screen and theatre idol Maurice Chevalier.

From the Leeds Variety Palace (sandwiched between musical gems) were still-eagerly watched fabulous 'turns' like the Sand Dancers, and the legendary comedian Max Wall played Leeds in person a while ago!

Tom Burke's pristine (1927) recording of 'The Minstrel Boy' is one of my personal favourites.

Kenneth Lucas

Park Road, Hindley

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.