THE conductor responsible for the Brighouse & Rastrick Band’s music chart hit, the Floral Dance, will be reunited with his former players at a concert next month.

Derek Broadbent helped propel the brass band to number two in the singles chart in December 1977 – above famous names such as the Bee Gees, Queen and Status Quo.

Mr Broadbent, of Wyke, will roll back the years on March 25 when he conducts current and former Brighouse & Rastrick players at the concert to mark 40 years since the success of the Floral Dance.

His and the band’s rendition of the Floral Dance was recorded in Birmingham in 1976. It was initially just sold at the band’s concerts before it was picked up and played on local radio stations, increasing its popularity.

An increased publicity campaign saw the tune reach national radio and, soon after, number 70 in the charts. Helped along by regular airings on popular radio shows such as BBC Radio 2’s Terry Wogan Show, and an appearance on Top of the Pops, the band’s Floral Dance hit number two on December 4, 1977, behind chart-topper Mull of Kintyre.

Terry Wogan released a vocal version of the Floral Dance in 1978.

Mr Broadbent said: “It was a wonderful experience. It was an absolutely incredible time, because it was totally unknown for a brass band.

“I have all the memories, but it is impossible to list them all. It was an incredibly exciting time and an important time in my life. It was an extremely different time of my life as well.

“In that sphere of music, in brass bands, you don’t expect to go down these avenues.”

The reunion concert is taking place on Saturday, March 25, at Huddersfield Town Hall. Mr Broadbent said about 19 players from 1977 would be there and would play for the second half of the performance.

The present-day band – currently placed second in the brass band world rankings on 4barsrest.com – will play the first half.

Mr Broadbent said: “This has got to be the most unimaginable time of my life! Who would have believed that music would retain its popularity for so long?

“To be part of a 40th anniversary concert will certainly be a huge highlight, and to be reunited with many members of the ‘old band’ once again will be very special.”

He added: “It will be a trip down memory lane. I am looking forward to absolutely all of it.”

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