Drummer Roy Holliday has spent decades making people happy playing in bands with the great and good in major ballrooms throughout the country plus major venues in London including the Royal Festival Hall.
Now, at the age of 96, with his drumming days long behind him, thanks to arthritic hands, the Milton Keynes resident is about to be honoured by The Open University for his service to music and the community.
And he recently stepped on stage at the Milton Keynes Theatre to receive an honorary degree of Master of the University, watched by his wife of 45 years, Vivienne.
They were in the company of delighted students being congratulated on their achievements by Dr Liz Marr, the OU’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for students, and watched by family and friends.
Roy Holliday
He said:
“This has got to be one of the finest things that ever happened to me in my life. Over the years, I’ve entertained thousands of people and it has always been to do it for a living.
“I have never been acknowledged as anything rather special and the fact is that this makes me feel as though I have achieved something.”
Roy played his first gig at the age of thirteen in 1939 after the regular drummer in his uncle’s dance band was called up for military service.
The Second World War provided more opportunities for Roy as regular band members were away to fight in the war.
It meant he gained invaluable experience in nightclubs and dance halls across the West End while still only a teenager, playing alongside seasoned professionals.
After serving in the Royal Airforce, where he continued playing in a band, he returned to Civvy Street and became a full-time professional musician in Swing bands.
In later life, he grew tired of the late nights and retrained in business, eventually working for the Japanese drum-making company Pearl. He became its MD and moved the business to Milton Keynes in 1982.
He remained part of the Milton Keynes music scene, also playing in The Open University big band and in retirement became well known around the area as a drum teacher.
