Getting by with a little help from Macca
A YOUNG musician is set to tread in the footsteps of a musical icon after winning a place at Sir Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.
Jack Cottle is a familiar face to many gig-goers as the pianist in the band The Revivals as well as playing solo at venues across the south.
Now the 18-year-old, from Hayling Island, has won a hotly-contested place at the UK's "Fame Academy."
Only 30 of the 300 who auditioned were given a place and it means Jack will pack up his piano and head for the home of The Beatles in September.
Now his ambition is to one day play the historic Cavern Club, where the Fab Four legend was born.
Jack, a former student at South Downs College, said: "I've been playing since I was eight and I wanted to do a degree in music but didn't want it to be too classical or too jazz.
"I had a look at this, not realising the background to it at first.
"Since I found out I've been going through the back catalogue even though I've always been influenced by them to an extent.
"After my audition I looked around the city with my parents – it's such an amazing place.
"We went to the Cavern Club – where it all began – and I vowed I'd be up on that stage one day.
"I was on the bus when I got the call to say I'd got in so I couldn't go too over the top but we cracked open a bottle of champagne as soon as we got back."
Although the former Hayling College pupil musical hero is Billy Joel, he has a huge respect for Sir Paul and can't wait to start his music degree in September.
It will be a far cry from when he saved the day when he stepped in at the 11th hour to fill the bill at the first-ever Playing on the Plaza concert at Eastoke Corner, when the booked act dropped out at the 11th hour.
Jack coolly stepped in and played a set that wowed the crowd of holidaymakers and residents alike.
And don't be surprised if one day he turns out to be a star filling arenas more akin to pop and rock acts like the Beatles and Wings, that there will be Hayling folk who will be able to say… "Do you remember when we saw Jack Cottle playing on the seafront for free!"
How Beatle legend saved city boys school
LIPA was established by Principal Mark Featherstone-Witty and Sir Paul in 1996 in the former Liverpool Institute for Boys which was derelict at the time.
Sir Paul, who formed the band Wings after quitting The Beatles, and sold out a huge concert in London's Hyde Park at the end of June, was desperate to save it.
The guitarist, who is still going strong into his 60s, and others were desperate to build on the city's great musical heritage with a first-class performing arts college.
Among the illustrious patrons are acrtress Dame Judi Dench and Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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