My first guest would be Dusty Springfield. A true Sixties icon, she was one of the greatest ever British singers. Dusty had a crystal clear voice and was recognised in the US as one of the greatest white soul singers. She was instrumental in introducing black soul music to the UK and refused to sing to a segregated audience in South Africa, incurring the wrath of the apartheid government. At a time when gay people were demonised, Dusty refused to be drawn on her own sexuality and rejected any press attempts to stir up scandal about her lesbianism.
Next on my list is Harriet Tubman. Abolitionist, freed slave, spy for the Union in the American Civil War and humanitarian, Harriet was an amazingly courageous woman. Born into slavery, she was viciously beaten by the masters, resulting in a terrible head wound that caused her problems for the rest of her life. Even when she escaped from slavery, she bravely returned to the pro-slavery South several times as part of the Underground Railway to free other slaves. She proudly said that: ‘I never lost a passenger.’ Towards the end of her life she supported the campaign for votes for women.
Also invited would be George Best as he was the greatest footballer I have ever seen play. George became known as the ‘Belfast Boy’. He was so popular that, though a Protestant himself, he was loved by Protestant and Catholic alike in a divided city. Witty, charming and loved by women, George was called the ‘fifth Beatle’ because of his influence on fashion and style. I would invite him along but keep the alcohol away from him. George was an alcoholic late in life.
Following on, Levi Stubbs would be a key guest in my dinner party. Stubbs was the lead singer of the Four Tops. A baritone, Stubbs expressed great passion in his singing. Though he was the undisputed star of the Tops, he refused to be separated from the other members of the band or paid more. Songs like Walk Away Renee, Reach Out, I’ll Be There and Ask the Lonely are part of the soundtrack of my life.
Finally, Ken Dodd would be invited, even though I am distinctly left wing; I have friends with various political views. I think Dodd is one of the funniest men on the planet and one Tory with a sense of humour. In his Eighties he can hold an audience’s attention for four hours! He invented the Diddymen and made Liverpool’s Knotty Ash a legendary place.
And you are..?
Name: Alan Gibbons Age: 60 Born: Cheshire
Occupation: Children’s’ author
Books: Shadow of the Minotaur, The Edge, Caught in the Crossfire Alan Gibbons is a passionate advocate for libraries, children’s literacy and creative writing for young people. His blog is a must-read – when you have a moment, take a look at http:// alangibbons.net/
Linus Head is a student at Lychett Minster School in Dorset and won his school a visit from Alan Gibbons after winning a national creative writing competition. Linus’s story can be read in full at http://bit.ly/15p85zg.
Alan, who judged the entries, described Linus’ short story Attack as ‘an assured and impressive piece of work’ adding, ‘I will not spoil the ending for the reader, but it has a marvellous twist which clarifies the whole piece beautifully.’