HIS name is without a doubt one of the best-known in the whole of Pendle.
Yes indeed, for Mark Kitto has now been entertaining us with his band locally for a splendid 60 years.
An historic diamond jubilee was achieved by Mark last month as his very first band’s premiere performance was in January, 1953 in a room above the Primet Bridge Co-op grocery shop for a dance played for by Mark and his musical pals called “The Teenagers”.
Later the band’s name became “The Harmonisers”, finally becoming “The Mark Kitto Band”.
Over the years Mark’s band has played in ballrooms throughout both Lancashire and Yorkshire, a highlight being the resident band at the legendary Nelson Imperial Ballroom from 1967 to 1970.
Other local favourite venues played by Mark and his band include Colne’s Tower Ballroom, Nelson’s Romany Ballroom and Brierfield’s Briar Ballroom, all today sadly no longer in use for dancing.
Mark’s band personnel has seen many changes over the years with the band’s current line-up being: Mark Kitto, flute and saxophone; Gordon Toole, drums; Malcolm Bateson, bass guitar and Peter Elmer, Keyboard.
So to the multi-talented, genial Mark Kitto and all his many musicians of great note over the past 60 years, congratulations for all the great pleasure you’ve given us all and here’s to many more happy hours in the world of music today.