Getting to know: Sir Michael "Parky" Parkinson

Ahead of Sir Michael Parkinson's brand new show on Jazz FM - which starts Sunday 13 June from 9pm - we wanted to uncover what we can expect about the show, what music excites him and some of the standout moments from his career...

What drew you to want to become a journalist in the first place?

It was better than the alternative which was to follow my father down the pit which fortunately both of my parents were against.

I’d always liked the idea of becoming the hard-nosed crusading journalist figure that I’d seen portrayed at the local cinema by the likes of Humphrey Bogart and so after I left Barnsley Grammar School, with the princely sum of 2 O-levels, I turned up on the doorstep of the Barnsley Chronicle and was indentured to a senior journalist.

My first task was to ride 20 miles around the nest of pit villages that surrounded Grimethorpe pit on a drop handled Raleigh collecting the sports results. It wasn’t quite the stuff of Hollywood, but it did give me the most shapely legs in South Yorkshire.

What made you want to move from print to broadcasting?

It was a complete accident. I was at a loose end after leaving the Daily Express and a friend called Barrie Heads called me up and asked me to come and work with him on a new Television station called "Granada" that was starting in Manchester.

I told him I knew nothing about television, and he replied that neither did he nor anyone else who was working there but it was great fun. I joined and they say the rest is history.

What was the most pivotal or most memorable moment of your career? Why?

Going to Granada. Manchester in the 1960s was at the epicentre of the cultural revolution that was kicking over the traces of the British Establishment and the class system and Granada was the eyewitness to these events. Carnaby Street was about frocks, Manchester was about The Beatles, Best and being young, northern and working class.

It was transformational for people like me. Before this time I couldn’t have got a job as a doorman at the BBC, after my time at Granada the BBC was knocking at my door and offering me a job as a talk show host

You’ve met some of the greats of our music. Any that stand out?

Fred Astaire was the epitome of class and grace. A proper movie star. He appeared because his daughter wanted her children to understand just who their grandad was. I was surprised to discover that he was incredibly nervous and I tried to calm him by telling him that as a child I copied two walks his and John "Duke" Wayne and that tonight I was going to try and float down the Parkinson stairs just like him. In fact, all I did was fall from the very top to the bottom. I went backstage to do a re-take and after recovering from fits of laughter Fred said to me "Guess you got confused between me and the Duke". He was Irving Berlin’s favourite singer, Johnny Mercer said he had the best phrasing of anyone. We persuaded him to perform on the show a medley of the songs he made famous such as 'White Tie and Tails' and 'Putting on the Ritz'. It was truly magical.

Who’s the one (musical legend) that got away that you would do anything to meet and interview if you could?

Frank Sinatra. The Chairman of the Board. The man who taught the rest to sing with a Big Band. I got close. Sammy Cahn introduced me to Frank at a party and "Ol Blue Eyes" promised to come on my show when he was next in London. As I was leaving I went to say goodbye to my new best buddy and Frank bade me farewell by saying "Goodbye, David".

Close…but no cigar.

You have mentioned that Louis Armstrong is among your favourite performers? What is it about them that stand out for you?

Louis Armstrong was the most influential musician in popular music never mind jazz. As if that wasn’t enough, he also taught the world how to sing a popular song. He towers above everyone else and is one of the most important cultural figures that America has ever produced.

What is it about jazz music that you love?

It is simply a collection of the best music that was ever, written, played or performed.

Are you able to name your top jazz album(s) of all time?

Too many but my favourite song is 'Summertime' performed by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

Are there any contemporary jazz acts you enjoy?

When I was doing the talk and radio show I was always on the lookout for a new generation keeping alive the sort of music I love.

I championed the likes of Diana Krall, Jamie Cullum and Michael Buble and I’m always on the lookout for a new star.

Tell us about your new series on Jazz FM…

It’s a sample of my personal collection of what I love most about jazz as well as memories of the times I was lucky enough as the host of Parkinson to meet and talk to my musical heroes. It’s important that the kind of music I will be celebrating gets played because, apart from Jazz FM, no one else is trying to keep relevant and alive this incredibly beautiful, exciting and important body of music.

When can I listen to 'Parky: My Kind of Jazz'?

The 6-part series can be heard on Sundays at 9pm. The first episode will air on the 13th of June on Jazz FM.

Listen to Jazz FM on DAB nationwide, on our free app, online or via your smart speaker (“Play Jazz FM”).

See more of our Jazz FM presenters...