Here is a selection of the vast amount of mail we have received in tribute to LONNIE DONEGAN and LONNIE 'D' The Musical

'LONNIE D' Show Chesterfield -Andy  Thompson

hi  all the cast
went to the show last night with the wife and was really impressed with the musical. it was well put together and everybody seemed to be giving their all. The tall thin guy in hitsvill really looks a natural entertainer who will go a long way. As for Peter and Anthony, you were both superb Anthony had an uncanny look of Lonnie especially on 'Does Your Chewing Gum'- etc.
i would like to see this show on the West End for a run I am sure it would do well with media support. It would also be great for the cast to get a look in on the Jools Holland show to get some of the youngsters aware of what music is all about.
I met lonnie way back in 1958 at the sheffield empire were as a 9 year old I went with my elder brother and after the show I got a signed photo of Lonnie.
keep up the good work and keep the name of Lonnie remembered, as he was one of Britains all time artistes.

regardsAndy  Thompson (sheffield)

'LONNIE D' Show Chesterfield -Warren James- from The Paul Leegan Band

Sharon & Peter and all of the gang,
I have returned and recovered from a reasonably long journey from your show at Chesterfields Winding wheel. What can I say? The show was just superb, exciting, humorous and by all standards at the end of the night absolute rockin'... For me its wonderful to hear Lonnie's band again - they had that special sound that I always look forward to hearing when I saw him, so to hear it again brought tingles
to my spine and yes the occasional tear.

Tony: how well he's doing, when I met up with him in February this year he was telling me how nervous he was - well he walked on that stage with his head high and was dam bloody proud to be there and I was over the moon for him.

Peter: Is there no end to your talents? Piano, Dancer, Harmonica, Guitarist and best of all excellent timing. As a Guitarist I have to say you played 'Rocks in my Bed' very well and a pretty blues solo as well matey - well done - you'd have done Lonnie Johnson and your dad proud with that. And yes you have that very thing I'm hunting for - the professional way you speak and charm an audience, it takes years to learn however you got it already bud... Well done!! (maybe you can knock me out some lessons on that) before you reach super stardom)

The Band: As probably one of Lonnie's biggest fans I made it along to so many shows on his final tour and especially in the final few years I would travel up and down the country just to see him. The band has clearly had a change around Nick Payne and Pete Oakman clearly absent, however the 2 superb talents in place where equally as good and kept that exciting beat going for me all night. As a Guitarist I know every guitar lick Paul Henry played with Lonnie and I can play almost all of them off by heart (most would call that "sad" I call it "paranoid perfection") however your replacement guitarist played extremely well and I was pleased to hear his sounds didn't stray away too much from that of Mr Henry's, who I know has been unwell. If ever I can offer any assistance please feel free you would have my full support.

Last of all (before I run off to my driving lesson) many thanks for making this show, it's wonderful to watch a tribute to Lonnie. Nights on stage tributing Lonnie for me are always fun I enjoy every minute of it, I never get tired of playing 'Rock Island Line' live on stage or 'Dustman' - I still sing 'Grand Coolie Dam' and try to keep it similar to Lonnie's final version and every night when I come off stage I look up and just thank him - perhaps he was there and he helped keep the audience clapping and smiling.

Not a night goes past where I don't think of him and when I look at your tour dates not a night goes past where I sit at home and say "I hope there cheering for more now"... I came to see, and I saw, a remarkable show - based on love and entertainment, everything that made - LONNIE DONEGAN  I'm
bloody proud to have known him, I'm proud to have been at your show and good luck with the rest.

Very best wishes to you all

Warren James

P.s, David don't half knock out some bloody good rhythms on those bins
You do did well young man

'LONNIE D' Show Chesterfield -Pauline Smith

Last night I took my husband on a nostalgia trip to see the story of his hero Lonnie. And what a night it was. I spent the last few years of Lonnie's life travelling around the country to see his shows and it looks like I will now be travelling round the country to see Lonnie D. (I'm too young to have been a fan as such but enjoy the music).
The first part was excellent showing the times as well as the music.'Pauline' was superb but then she would be with a name like that. (I'm called Pauline). Peter and Tony had a good rappore but they really came to life in the second half.  Peter is the showman while Tony looked like and sounded like Lonnie.
The band were very good but I missed Paul and Pete. I hope Paul gets better soon.
All in all I was pleasently surprised with the show.

Keep up the good work. I bet Lonnie is looking down on his three sons with a pround glint in his eye.

Pauline Smith (with husband John of course.)

'LONNIE D' Show Manchester - Brian Simpson

I saw the Lonnie 'D' show at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, and I enjoyed the show very much, I thought it showed the life, times, and music of both Lonnie and the era as I knew it.
The music was great and the performances exceptional, long may the show continue, and I have no doubt that I will see it again on its tour

Yours Sincerely -Brian Simpson

'LONNIE D' Show Manchester -Michael D. Murphy

Hi - My name is MIke Murphy from Liverpool I would just like to say how much I enjoyed the gig in Manchester last night I feel very honoured to have been able to go back stage and meet the boys, they do their dad proud. I think I was the youngest person in the audience at 39 years old. I would just like to add that I think that you would be very welcome in Liverpool. If you have any dates for Liverpool can you please keep me informed. A special thank you to Andrew (baby Lonnie). He looked after us as far as autographs went.

Thank you for your time.

Mike Murphy (Aintree)

Lonnie fan - familjen.Henriksson

Hello!
I have a big collection of Lonnie Donegan records, so I´m interested in knowing if the concert: "Rock Island Line" or the musical "Lonnie D" is recorded and if these are possible to by on DVD.
 
Kindest regards
Gunnar Henriksson (Sweden)

'LONNIE D' Show Birmingham - Stephen Fessey-

Just to let you know that I saw your new musical in Birmingham on Sunday and was very impressed. The tightness of the band, the emotion of the Donegan brothers and the energy was much appreciated. At 29 I think I may have been the youngest in the audience and I did feel a pang of annoyance that the great roots music revival (blues, alt-country etc...) seems to have left Lonnie's wondeful back
catalogue untouched. His fantastic album with Van Morrison (where he often out-sang Van - very difficult!) remains, for me, his finest work - honest and life-affirming. will tour purely as a "band"? And are there any plans for a release of the tribute concert in London? I didn't get to hear about it but the line-up seems to have been one worthy of Lonnie's songs and memory.

Stephen

LONNIE D' Show Birmingham - Edwin Wickett-

Thank you for the wonderful show we saw at the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham. It was Gutsy, colourful, fast moving, and spectacular, with a lacing of comedy, and full of Lonnie’s great music.
Congratulations to the three sons Anthony, Peter and David, the “boys” of the band, and all the cast for a brilliant show. Thanks to Sharon Donegan who inspired it and Leah Bell who directed it. It must have been satisfying to receive the greatest accolade an audience can give, a standing ovation after an encore. Wishing continued success to “Lonnie D”

Joan and Ted Wickett

Tom Harrison

Hi Sharon
Hope all is well for yourself and family, with Christmas approaching I wondered if there is any of Lonnie tribute show on CD/DVD on sale. Hope to see the Lonnie D show soon, and I just wish they would play a few more of his recordings on the radio. I am also surprised there has been no life story to date on the radio or TV. I am sure one day he will be appreciated
for being a great pioneer for pop music and a fantastic entertainer.

All the best Tom Harrison