NEWS
Engelbert Humperdinck Backs Campaign to Save Tin Pan Alley
Published: 14 November, 2014
by WILLIAM McLENNAN
LEGENDARY singer Engelbert Humperdinck returned to the West End this week as he lent his support to a campaign to save Tin Pan Alley.
The man behind 1960s’ number-one hits Release Me and The Last Waltz, and many more, toured Denmark Street’s music shops and stopped for lunch at the site of the famous Giaconda café – reopened and run by steak restaurant Flat Iron.
Humperdinck, who represented the United Kingdom at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, made his visit after learning that businesses on the street, famous for music shops and once home to dozens of song writers, were under threat.
Building works surround the street and a campaign, Save Denmark Street, has been pushing for tax exemptions to guarantee the survival of music shops on the street.
Tourists from around the world flock to the famous music street and campaigners believe the rates are too high – meaning independent stores can no longer compete with large chains.
Henry Scott-Irvine, who has been organising the campaign, said: “He saw our campaign and wanted to come down and lend his support.
“He used to spend time here in the 1960s and wants to preserve the legacy.”
http://www.westendextra.com/news/2014/nov/engelbert-humperdinck-backs-campaign-save-tin-pan-alley