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Nolans' Anne shocks rock fest fans
SHE is best known as a member of one of music's favourite family acts.
But revellers at Blackpool's Tommyfest festival were shocked to see star singer Anne Nolan take to the stage with a local Fylde band.
Blackpool-based Anne, who hit musical heights as one of the Nolan Sisters, drew in the crowds when she appeared as a backing singer for Blackpool indie rockers The Magdalenas.
The Marton band, who have been together for a year, got their new member after asking family friend Anne if she would join to give their festival performance a boost.
Anne, 57, who now works as a civil servant, said: "I absolutely loved it. I got a big buzz. I didn't want anybody to know. I just wanted to go along and have fun. A lot of people saw me and thought I was there to watch – they didn't realise I was singing."
Drummer Lee Clayton, 25, was delighted.
He said: "We wanted to do something different and asked Anne.
"We had about three or four rehearsals, but obviously she is quite good and knew what she was doing. It was a privilege to have her there.
"I think a few people thought we were going to do a rendition of I'm In the Mood For Dancing, but we didn't stretch that far."
Singer Danny Dyson, 30, added: "She came down and had a little listen to our stuff and liked it.
She said it was her cup of tea and really enjoyed it."
Anne could be planning another star cameo with the band, who are hoping to play Blackpool's annual Christmas Tree ball.
Anne added: "I would definitely do it again.
"I had an absolutely brilliant time."
The celebrity appearance rounded off the three-day festival, which drew more than 1,000 music fans to Singleton.
It is held in memory of well-known local man Tommy Castles. The proceeds from the festival are donated to Trinity Hospice, where Tommy died in August 2005.
Adele Castles, Tommy's daughter and one of the festival organisers, said: "I don't think many people knew it was Anne. We didn't know she was coming.
"The Magdalenas were one of the best groups. All the bands were brilliant. It was our third year and was the best yet."
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
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