The Pearly King & Queen
John Knowles - The Pearly KingJohn has been leading the band since its formation 25 years ago. He comperes and appears in every show.
His early musical career was spent as the leading light of the group ‘Talisman’. He wrote all the groups songs including the much covered single ‘Stepping Stones’- this song reached No 8 in the Dutch charts. His back catalogue of songs published by Sony/ATV music are still recorded by European artistes and ‘Stepping Stones’ has recently been used in an international TV advert. The Decca/Argo albums ‘Primrose Dreams’ and ‘Stepping Stones’ can still be found on the web. His strong clear voice was used in those days mainly for the trademark harmonies – now he sings all types of songs including his famous ‘ditties’.
John looks after ‘business’ and it’s him you email or speak to on the phone if you make an enquiry. No middle men! He has resisted all pressures to use backing tracks, sequencers or enhancers. He says – “With us what you see is what you get – Real Music!”
Sue Sawyer - The Pearly
QueenBorn in Tottenham, Sue made her singing debut at 2 years old by jumping on the table and entertaining the family and guests with her rendition of a Shirley Bassey song – we don’t think it would have been ‘Big Spender’! [Only joking Sue!]
Her warm personality coupled with a wonderful, versatile, strong voice made her an instant hit in the local communities in North London where she sang from the age of 12 with the Islington Starliners. On holiday with her family on Hayling Island, 16 year old Sue won the talent contest at Warner’s and was offered an immediate contract.
In later years she travelled to all the ‘hotspots’ in the world singing for the Armed Forcesand now that she is Cockney Pride’s Pearly Queen she particularly enjoys singing the Vera Lynn songs from earlier conflicts as well as all the cockney ‘standards’ – Lambeth Walk, Maybe it’s Because I’m a Londoner, Knocked ‘em in the Old Kent Road…