Scott Madden - Tribute
As a staunch admirer of Lena Zavaroni I feel somewhat obliged to add my own personal written tribute. When I look at the other tribute pages I feel an extra pang of guilt that I haven't yet made my own small but heartfelt contribution to this website so here goes...
I would be around eight or nine years of age when I first saw Lena on Opportunity Knocks and, along with my father, was completely knocked out by her dynamic voice, not least by the fact she had this enormous confidence and was able to sing with a big band at the tender age of ten. We knew then that here was someone, the likes of which we'd never seen nor heard before suddenly bursting onto our TV screens and belting out a song with a degree of maturity that would put others three times her age to shame.
I myself can relate to that as I was also appearing on Junior Showtime back then playing the piano as a small boy although, unlike Lena, was as nervous as hell. I also remember a few years later as a teenager living in London with complete strangers while still a music student at The Purcell School watching Lena's subsequent television series on the BBC and marvelling once again at her gargantuan talents and especially her rare ability to sing music of practically all genres. Lena was also living in London at the same time as me and was then a student at the Italia Conti Stage School where she combined her school work with her TV schedules. I was also aware from various newspaper reports that despite her TV success, she was also feeling lonely and homesick as was I so although I never had the good fortune to meet her, I still
feel that Lena and I are sort of kindred spirits in a way. Like Lena, I also loved to dabble in various styles of music and was always willing to try something different whenever the opportunity arose. I was also blessed with a gift for music and started playing from the age of two with absolutely no formal piano tuition. Lena was also entertaining audiences as a toddler.
It is great that this website has provided the opportunity for me to write this tribute, not only that, it is also great that although Lena sadly passed away around ten years ago, she is still very highly regarded both as an entertainer and as a genuine, lovely girl. I for one will never forget her and she will always be uppermost in my thoughts as each day passes. Never before or since have I seen anyone as nice or sincere on TV or otherwise nor have I heard anyone better. I've worked with many a good singer but there's nobody I'd loved to have worked with more than Lena, for me, the best in the business. Thank you Lena for all the pleasure you gave and still give to us!!
Scott Madden.
More to Follow!
I would be around eight or nine years of age when I first saw Lena on Opportunity Knocks and, along with my father, was completely knocked out by her dynamic voice, not least by the fact she had this enormous confidence and was able to sing with a big band at the tender age of ten. We knew then that here was someone, the likes of which we'd never seen nor heard before suddenly bursting onto our TV screens and belting out a song with a degree of maturity that would put others three times her age to shame.
I myself can relate to that as I was also appearing on Junior Showtime back then playing the piano as a small boy although, unlike Lena, was as nervous as hell. I also remember a few years later as a teenager living in London with complete strangers while still a music student at The Purcell School watching Lena's subsequent television series on the BBC and marvelling once again at her gargantuan talents and especially her rare ability to sing music of practically all genres. Lena was also living in London at the same time as me and was then a student at the Italia Conti Stage School where she combined her school work with her TV schedules. I was also aware from various newspaper reports that despite her TV success, she was also feeling lonely and homesick as was I so although I never had the good fortune to meet her, I still
feel that Lena and I are sort of kindred spirits in a way. Like Lena, I also loved to dabble in various styles of music and was always willing to try something different whenever the opportunity arose. I was also blessed with a gift for music and started playing from the age of two with absolutely no formal piano tuition. Lena was also entertaining audiences as a toddler.
It is great that this website has provided the opportunity for me to write this tribute, not only that, it is also great that although Lena sadly passed away around ten years ago, she is still very highly regarded both as an entertainer and as a genuine, lovely girl. I for one will never forget her and she will always be uppermost in my thoughts as each day passes. Never before or since have I seen anyone as nice or sincere on TV or otherwise nor have I heard anyone better. I've worked with many a good singer but there's nobody I'd loved to have worked with more than Lena, for me, the best in the business. Thank you Lena for all the pleasure you gave and still give to us!!
Scott Madden.
More to Follow!