"'Queen of Song"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22777, 10 July 1937, Page 16 (Supplement)

"'Queen of Song"

Grade Fields Is Most Popular Variety Artist In English Speaking World ROCHDALE'S KIND-HEARTED FACTORY GIRL

By L. RASKAY

Even at the height of the Coronation season, with the marriage of the Duke of t Windsor only a few days distant, with Mr. Stanley Baldwin taking his leave of the House of Commons, England still had time to think of Grade Fields. Her fame is more or less confined to the English-speaking world. In England she is a gueen, her popularity has flown overseas and planted itself firmly in the Dominions, she has just returned from a tour during which she took the United States by storm, but in the rest of the world she is almost unknown.

THAT is understandable and natural, for her art is something so specifically and absolutely English, b.ound up with the spirit of the English people, that Gracie, although to-day at the peak of her career, cannot hope ever to ,win international fame. Probably she doesn't mind if she doesn't. Her life has already seen the fulfilment of every dream that a factory. girl could possibly have. She is worshipped by millions, she earns some £BO,OOO a year, and the town where she began her fantastic career as just another working girl has just presented her with the freedom of the city, and the ceremony took place in an atmosphere of celebration that could, without exaggeration, be called royal. Gracie Fields has, however, had the chance to return this honour in a royal manner. Not only has she given vast sums to various charities in her home town, not only has she sung for charity, but 6he has done something more magnificent. She has given the largest party of its kind ever known just and only for the citizens of liochdale. Two days after the celebration in Lancashire she invited one tenth of the population of Rochdale, some 9000 guests, to Lon-

celebrating the fact that Rochdale gave a Gracie to the world."

Thousmuls of flags hung from the grey houses; people with happy, smiling faces strung banners across the streets. "Welcome to the Queen of Song, Welcome to Our Gracie." The whole day passed in this atmosphere pf vyidiluted joy, during which Gracie made a charming speech in dialect, and sang even more charming songs. She behaved as tho people expected her to behave. On the balcony of the Town Hall, from which she was presented to the cheering crowd much as once the Prince of Wales was presented to his people in Carnarvon, were her parents, the simple working pair called Stanficld (that is Graeie's proper name), who had their share in the glory. Then Gracie visited her old friends, with whom she used to work, drank a cup of tea in the modest tea shop of one of them, and ate her supper in the fish and chips restaurant which was her grandmother's when she was born 38 years ago. Never a Seat Empty To-day, Gracie is tho most famous, the highest paid and the most popular variety artist in the English-speaking world. When she appears on any stage there is never a seat empty, a song sung by her is taken up by .millions. Her songs might bo called the folk songs of the towns, somewhat bitter, somewhat rough, but with an underlying sentimentality which never fails

flon. In a number of special trains they came to London. They were richly cared, for, and then taken to the largest amusement place in London, Alexandra Palace, where they were entertained by Gracie Fields in person. Seen Through Television Those that could not see her directly saw her through television. This was easily arranged as Alexandra Palace is the centre of English television. Then there was dancing, on an almost unprecedented scale, while Gracie, beaming hugely and in the seventh heaven of delight, moved around among her friends and guests. .Then the 9000 from Lancashire were bundled off home, still in special trains, with the memory of an unforgettable day. Until Gracie began her career Rochdale was famous only as the founder, of the co-operative movement. Here in 1844 the first "Co-ops" were'founded, and, in the course of a century the idea which had its beginning in modest Rochdale has taken root more or less all over the world. Gracie Fields has not conquered the world, but she has conquered the Eng-lish-speaking part of it, and that is enough. When the press called the celebration in honour of Gracie at Rochdale "Grade's Coronation," it was hardly an exaggeration. "Coronation" is not, only very much a word of the moment just now but it also describes the tribute paid by Lancashire to her most famous daughter. At her reception the, Mayor of Rochdale was present—that is understood. The Lord Mayor of Manchester, and the Mayors of Selford, Bolton, Oldham and Highwood were there too, which is quite unusual. Flocked to Rochdale Rochdale's normal population is 90,000, but on that day it was at least twice as many. From far and Aear the ■working masses flocked to Rochdale to be present at the day of celebration for the famous star who came from among .them. How greatly the people of Lancashire treasured the occasion was shown in. the speeches which turned stolid mayors into budding poets. "It is a great day," said one speaker, "not only for Rochdale, not only for Lancashire, but also for England and the Empire. It is a great day for all of Gracip's innumerable friends. We are

to capture the hearts of the masses. Perhaps her greatest successes are the songs she sings in dialect. In England there are innumerable theatrical societies of amateurs of all classes of society, and there are freSuent competitions for amateurs. racie Stanfield, factory girl, took part in such a competition, and won the first prize. Then she turned to the stage, although only the provincial stage. Then another chance put her on the ladder to success. Fairly late in life she found that she could sing. She was already 25 when she appeared for the first time as a singer, but then her amazing career began. Now, she has become a byword for the English people, a popular favourite who dims the light of all film stars, the darling of the masses. Her popularity is such that she dare not ride in her own car. It would immediately be torn to bits for souvenirs. Once the crowd were so drunk with delight after ,a performance of her's that 30 policemen had to rescue her from the theatre, and take her away in a closed police car usually reserved for prisoners. The incredible popularity she still enjoys is a tribute not only to the art of the singer, but also to the wonderful character of this kind-hearted factory girl who left tho factory in Rochdale 20 years ago and has remained just the same ever since.