I’m seeking information about British theatre organist Armsbee Bancroft, for an article for the magazine of the UK-based Electronic Organ Constructors' Society. This is a bit of a long shot on this forum, and I’m aware that I might get a better response on one of the Facebook groups such as British Cinema Organs. However the deadline for copy for the next EOCS magazine is 4th September, and by the time I’ve applied to join one of the Facebook groups, and waited for my application to be accepted, it might be too late for our next edition.
There are currently three videos of Armsbee on Youtube – for example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXMMC9z-NkMI’m amazed that he played so well but was never a full-time musician. I’d love to know what his “day job” was – what did he do for a living? I know that he lived in Burton on Trent, and died in 1989 – does anyone know when he was born? Any personal reminiscences would be very welcome – he seems to have been quite a character!