It is with great sadness that I have just heard of the death of Ricky Renee.
Although there was no love lost between us, because too many bad memories occurred during the time that Ray and I spent with him in the late 60’s. when we opened the club for him called “Ricky Renee’s” in Covent Garden.
Ray and I never saw, spoke or had any contact with him whatsoever, from the day that we closed “Ricky Renee’s” Club. As they say time heals all wounds, so what is the point of bearing malice and animosity when the same is going to come to all of us.
RICKY RENEE WHAT A TALENT!
He had it to his fingertips, the man and his persona was perfection itself and I have to hand it to him, he had such style.
Whereas Danny La Rue had meagre talent, but a brilliant business brain in the shape of Jack Hanson, Ricky Renee was all talent and unfortunately no business brain.
We gave him the best of everything, Douglas Darnell designed his costumes, the club setting was sumptuous, and he had a cast of the best West End performers supporting him. But it wasn’t to be! The Gods were not with us!
This is the way I best remember Ricky, glamorous!
The dress was solid bugle beads on chiffon. The coat was silk, trimmed with a white feater boa that went on for yards. The whole ensemble cost a fortune and was made by hand by Douglas Darnell. In fact, Shirley Bassey, who was then married to Kenny Hume, saw the show and immediately ordered a copy of the dress and coat from Douglas! When the show closed, Ricky being theatrical, as we all are, walked off with the dress and coat. That was last we saw of him, the dress and the coat, much to my chagrin! He must have worn it till it fell to pieces; judging from all the photos that I saw of him in it in later years.
The tiger was a rug that we had at home.
The finale of the show, Ricky as a man on my very expensive glass floor.
The photo shoot to get this shot took hours.
One of the top reporters of the day, Arthur Helliwell of The People newspaper happened to be a friend of ours. Arthur was one of the toughest reporters going. He interviewed Ricky and gave him a glowing report, but all too late! It wasn’t to be!
Ricky in later years. I have no idea of the date, maybe 2002. He still looked good.
R.I.P. RICKY
So another great one has bit the dust.
ericlindsay 