IF THERE is anyone out there who knows the fate of Bradford musician Syd Vernon, there is somebody who would really like to know.

Paul Alcantara is the editor of the specialist guitar website Pre-War Gibson L-5. He’s been trying to find out what happened to Syd after 1941, but so far has only run into hints and rumours.

Paul writes: “When I started a guitar website a few years ago I little suspected that my search for information on vintage instruments would lead to me becoming something of a social archaeologist and a family historian.

“But the story of a young man from Bradford, whose brush with fame in the pre-war years, has resulted in a quest to discover more about his life and music.

“In looking through early copies of the magazine BMG (Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar, one of the oldest fretted instrument publications in the world), I came across a small advertisement in the back of the April 1930 issue that offered music lessons.

“The teacher’s name was Syd Vernon and the address given was 7, Webster Street, Barkerend Road. A box ad, in the July 1930 issue, announced: ‘Syd Vernon Change of Address. Syd Vernon has now opened a large and well appointed studio at ‘Belmont’, 17 Upper Rushton Rd. Thornbury, Bradford, Yorks. Tel. Bradford 1973.’ “These ads marked the start of a career that would see the young Syd – guitar teacher and performer on the guitar, Hawaiian guitar, mandolin and the plectrum banjo – go on to play with some of the most famous artists of the pre-War years.

“By 1932 the same magazine described Syd as ‘an expert player of fretted instruments’ and in a 1933 feature he is pictured with ‘Miss Kitty Wilson and Mr Bert Redstone,’ the latter described as ‘a performer of outstanding ability on the Hawaiian guitar, having acquired the correct native method of playing in Honolulu.’ “The article noted that Syd had ‘played publicly with (American banjo player) Eddie Peabody on many occasions'. Peabody was a top-rank banjo player and something of a celebrity in the United States.

“In Peabody’s biography, the banjo star is quoted as saying ‘Mr. Sydney Vernon, of Bradford, England, (is) a very fine player and teacher who organised a banjo band bearing my name.’ He also mentions that they made a ‘phonograph record and played together at the Paramount Theatre, Manchester, England.’ “By 1938, Syd was taking care of Peabody’s correspondence while he was away and a letter to a fan is written on headed notepaper that states: ‘Syd Vernon, The Anglo-American Banjo Ace, (Solo protégé of Eddie Peabody)’, along with ‘Variety, Revue, BBC Artist’.

“The address given for Syd at that time showed he had moved to London, to 40, Birchington Road in Maida Vale.

Syd’s name also appeared as part of a BBC Variety Show on September 23, 1935. He was listed as ‘The Banjo and Guitar King’. Other performers included comedienne Bertha Willmott, The Four Crotchets, pianist Billy Mayerl and The BBCVariety Orchestra.

“Syd turned up once again in a 1938 film short called ‘Pathétone Presents the famous American artist Eddie Peabody and his Beachcombers (with the new Electraphone),’ probably filmed at the Pathé Studio in London."

The film begins with Peabody introducing ‘The Electraphone’ – a line up of electric stringed instruments, which he then goes on to demonstrate.

“His band, The Beachcombers, enter wearing sailor suits (with the tall, blonde Syd on banjo) and commence to play ‘Song of the Islands’ and ‘The Hilo March’.

“The last mention of Syd that we have been able to track down was in BMG magazine again, this time in 1941. A short news item entitled ‘Vernon and Val’ states that ‘Syd Vernon and Valentine Symons, two players of the plectrum banjo, are still a strong feature in the ‘Broadway to Blighty’ variety show now touring the country. Their act is modelled on Eddie Peabody-cum-Ken Harvey lines.

“'These two players tell us they will be only too pleased to meet any players who call backstage and we hope that BMG readers will take advantage of this invitation when ‘Broadway to Blighty’ visits their town.’ “After that the trail goes cold. Has Syd been called up and perished during the war? An anecdotal account though puts him back in Bradford in the post-War years.

“So do you know the end of the story? He may have relatives living in Bradford and the surrounding areas who know more and we would be delighted to hear from them at http:www.prewargibsonl-5.com. Click on the contact button.”